Elly Griffiths - The Zig Zag Girl

Location: Theatre Royal

Transcript: ‘The pillars and archways of the Theatre Royal were sparkling in the sun. It was a snug little venue, somehow managing to be grand and welcoming at once. ‘Max Mephisto’ screamed the billboards. Max pulled his hat down over his eyes and headed off to find the stage door. The last thing he wanted was to be spotted looking admiringly at his own posters. The stage door was in a side street. It was open and the narrow hallway full of boxes and trunks. Max recognised his own stage kit and some boxes labelled AM. Who the hell was AM? He tried to remember who was on the bill with him this week. A comedian, but then there were comedians everywhere these days. A juggler that he last saw – pissed out of his head – try to get off with a waxwork in Blackpool. Some girls, of course. After a while all the girls merge into one – feathers and headdresses and lipsticked smiles. All except Ethel. She was different. He saluted the commissionaire…and made his way towards the auditorium. He was slightly late and knew he’d have to wait. Monday band calls operate on a strictly first-come-first-served basis. Max might be top of the bill but, if he hadn’t got his music in front of the orchestra first, he’d be condemned to a morning of listening to ‘The Chocolate Soldier’ played (fortissimo) by a gaggle of amateur musicians.’