What fun we had going up to Hay for HowTheLightGetsIn!! Firstly it started with a little road trip up to the border of Wales. We were sharing the car with the ever-funny Suzy Bennett so we knew we were going to have fun drive. It was lovely to get out of London and see the beautiful countryside. When you live in London you forget that England is actually quite beautiful. Well actually, it was Wales or England, no Wales, no England- we did get a little lost at the boarders. I must admit driving around that area was very ‘Royston Vasey’(that’s the lovely League Of Gentlemen for those of you looking at your maps confused). I mean when we stopped at the tollbooth I almost expected the women to say ‘THIS IS A LOCAL SHOP FOR LOCAL PEOPLE’.
Then we drove down a road called ‘Three Cocks’ to which inevitably we all had a giggle. I said, ‘we need to ask someone for directions to Three Cocks’ to which Suzy replied, ‘we can’t ask anyone there’re three of us!’
We made it to the festival in the end. What a beautiful place!. In this little country town with little local shops (now I sound like someone from the ‘League of Gentlemen’). The venue for our show was a big country hall with big comfy chairs and sofas complimented by blankets and people serving hot homemade pie and mash all night.
The show itself was really fun with a couple of contestants, who were superb, and brilliant hosting from Suzy. We also had a treat with a couple of character acts – Iona Dudley Ward, who delighted us with a mixed bunch of crazy personalities. Then, of course, Gemma Whelan headlined as her prim and buttoned down character we all know Chastity Butterworth – always a winner!.
After a belly full of pie and sides aching with laughter we headed back to our old, creepy-but-lovely hotel. Hoping to catch sights of ghosts we ended our day with a hot cup of tea and a smile on our face. Can’t wait for the next heat!!
Niki Durham
