As September draws to a close, I find myself with mixed emotions as Scottish Opera’s Pop-Up Tour comes to end for 2021. I have had such a great time with the lovely cast and crew that I am sad that it has come to an end, but I am also excited to be moving on to my next project.
We were told that this year’s three tours performed a total of 192 shows, in 46 venues, to around 11,000 audience members across all age groups, visiting locations the length and breadth of Scotland. I thoroughly enjoyed being involved and it was a delight to visit so many new places. I especially enjoyed visiting Ullapool and catching the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
This month we focused on performing for children in primary schools and the atmosphere was electric. It was a joy to see children happily engage with opera and become energised by live music. The positive buzz spread amongst the communities and we were highlighted on ITV news. Here is a short clip shared by ITV News of the coverage.
A few highlights for me from this month:
The students at one of the schools had coloured in opera masks which were stuck onto Lollipop sticks so when they arrived and took their seats there was a sea of brightly coloured masquerade masks and smiles.
At another school, despite a rather wet day, we were welcomed by children who patiently sat in rainbow assortment of anoraks and were delighted to make the most of the opportunity to make music and dance.
These shows made a perfect end to this seasons performances and I will take away with me many happy memories, shared some great times with old friends, and made some amazing new ones.
That is too cute, the sea of smiles… Thrilled for you that there is a new project on the horizon! Contonue enjoying yourself.
Although the pop up your ended, you made new friends and introduced some younger audiences to opera. Who knows, you may have inspired some to follow in your footsteps.
That is what I love so much about ‘Pop-Up’ Mart, so many people come to watch because they’re thirty-minute performances to see what opera is like or were just visiting that venue and took advantage of seeing a show. I loved it in the interview when one of the children said, “I was expecting the opera to hurt my ears, but it didn’t”.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, I’m a Princess in distress this time. It was a show that had to be cancelled due to covid so I was thrilled to be invited back with a new date.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That is a lot of shows. I can understand your mixed emotions with it all coming to end end. I love your braid buns.
Thanks, Timothy, I called them space buns; I looked for a hairstyle that was easy for me to replicate each day.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow, very nice energies, it’s great to have collect all this smiles and joy !! It will be nice mémories for the rainy cloudy days …. The best for you my friend. Fingers cross for your new projects !!!!
That is true, Pascal. Smiling makes people feel good. Thank you for your good wishes.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It has been fun following your tour!
Thank you. It was such an enjoyable summer tour, and the audiences were fantastic.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You are most welcome! Sounds a great way to spend the summer! 🙂
Always hard to strike the set and go home. Best wishes, Charlotte.
Yes, John, it’s a strange thing being on a tour is all encompassing but it is so good to be home now, and at last, I can make the time to write all of our Wedding thank you notes to everyone.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, a big chore for sure.
I love your hair braids, Charlotte! So cute. I can understand why it’s bitter sweet that the tour is over, best wishes for your next project! ☺️❤️
Apparently, I was on trend, John, which is unusual for me the children loved the show styling the illustrations are fabulous. I missed a class with the illustrator because I was in the second show.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Absolutely brilliant Charlotte, I love the snapshot of your tour, wonderful👏👏👏🥰
You would have loved the shows Gill, the Bubble McBea went down a treat.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Delightful
Thank yuu Derrick, it was great to be a part of this project.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Absolutely wonderful, Charlotte. Thank you for sharing the times of your life!!
Thank you GP 🙂 it is such a delight to see smiling faces looking back at you during a performance. I am definetly living my very best life.
Best wishes
Charlotte
😉😊🤗
Our son and daughter-in-law returned this week from a holiday in Italy – one of the highlights was an opera in Venice. As they described the venue, I asked Caroline if this was a pop-up production. She looked at me in surprise and said, Yes. That’s exactly what it was.
I felt very “with it” and told her I had a friend who was finishing a tour in Scotland.
You have taught an old dog a few new tricks with your adventures!
Bravo!
Ha Ha, I think that is two of us learning a few new tricks. These Pop Up perforamnces have been such a great oportunity for both performers and audience alike and I enjoyed every minute.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I definitely enjoyed making the tour with you and getting to hear some of the music! What is your next challenge?
Hi Noel, I am traveling up to Buckingham next week to start work on my next performance. I am taking on the role of Pamina in the magic flute for Arcadian Opera. More on that in the coming weeks. 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte ,what a exceptionally busy summer you have had,,finally fitting your wedding in too.👏👏🥲.your photo’s are fabulous as well. Everyone has had a good time..
Good luck with everything else you will be doing.🤩🥰
A busy month coming up in October, but I am just happy to be working. See you again soon 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
😚❤
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations on another wonderful tour. Will you miss the stage? I haven’t been on-stage since we did a reading of “Call of a Distant Song,” Feb 2020. I definitely miss it and am still hoping to do a video production of “A Robot of Dawn” later this year.
Being on stage provides such a buzz and I do love it. I do hope that you get back on stage soon. Having these oportunities has been such a treat and I feel so lucky 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is always so sad to close out a show that you loved. And the there’s the next one coming up and the anticipation is so wonderful. With your talent I don’t think you will be off for very long.
My next project starts next week and it is so true that your emotions get very muddled at the end of a run, especially when you have something else over the horizon.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A lovely adventure. Must be so nice to be back on stage.
It has been wonderful to be back performing as there is nothing that comes close to the reaction from a live audience 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I can imagine. I was in market research, but I’ve presented results to audiences of close to 500. The thrill of it all. (Love it)
I must remember to pick your brains if I ever get my show off the ground. 🙂
Good. “You show” sounds interesting. (Though I know very little about the “entertainment industry”) (If I may be so bold as to qualify Opera as – simple – entertainment. 😉
I meant on the market research side of the show 🙂
I see… I only did one piece of research on “entertainment”. It was for a Mexican singer. The study was about her image. It might be hard to design some research projects in your line of work. But one has to be creative…
PS. Just to be clear: I am retired, and don’t know much about the industry. Though if you are thinking of something. write me a line. My mail is on my Gravatar. I may not necessarily respond fast but I will do my best.
Hope you go on with your next project with this much energy…best wishes for you
What a great ending to your tour.
I know how much people bond when they work hard together, for long periods of time.
It is bittersweet to say goodbye, so I usually say, until next time!
You are filling your memory portfolio with wonderful times. Cheers, Charlotte!
Thanks, Resa, just wondering what is coming next?
Understood! I’ve always felt the same when a project is over. Think I’ll do up a budget for a show with my Art Gowns. See what I can get happening there!
Sorry not been reading your blog as much recently, David has had a few health scares which has unsettled me. Will catch up soon xx
Please don’t worry Christine, I have been in the same position myself when touring and yesterday my lovely Grandpa died in hospital with covid just before his 89th birthday. I hope that everything is ok with David there is nothing more important than health and I wish you both good health.
Oh Charlotte I am so sorry to read your news. 🙁 Sending you lots of love. David has a lump in his left lung. He had pneumonia during the summer but the drs are not sure what the lump is. He had a PET scan to determine cancer but that was clear. Hopefully when he goes for another scan next February that it will have cleared itself. These past couple of years have been so stressful. I really enjoy reading about your adventures, thank you for your blog friendship. 🙂 Sending your family healing prayers xxx
Aww Christine I’m so sorry to read this. Thank heavens the scan was clear. Pneumonia is a terrible illness my Nan got it in Spain. I will keep my fingers crossed for the all clear in February and keep you both in my prayers. Worrying about someone else can often be more stressful so I wish you strength.