Another Award

Today I received the very exciting news that we've won another award! Hugh and Sioned have been rewarded for their travels down to Melbourne with Floating by being named Best Live Theatre in The Age newspaper's inaugural M-ie Awards.

The awards were announced back on the 8 November but I've only just received word from our friends at the fantastic Arts House, who were our generous hosts during Floating's time in the city.

Sadly there is no glamorous awards ceremony to attend and I'm not even sure we'll receive any form of trophy to add to the cabinet (or the awards shelf as it actually exists as). But it's a delight to form part of the highlights of the social year in Melbourne.

And I'm really impressed by the lovely write-up it's received...

"You'd need to be lacking a heart not to have fallen in love with this teeny-tiny production from Wales. Somewhere between performance art, stand-up comedy and old-fashioned storytelling, it felt like the most thoughtful and generous gift you'd ever received. From a stranger, no less."

Also commended in this category were Jersey Boys and Ontroerend Goed's Once and For All We're Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut up and Listen. Several of us were fans of their Internal which played in Edinburgh this year, so it feels like honourable company to reside in.

The awards are a ludicrously diverse mix 0f categories from Most In-Demand Party Guest (which went to film star Eric Bana although Dannii Minogue did get a commendation) and Best Fashion Moment (going to Cate Blanchett and her blanket dress - although I have no idea what that is!) to the seemingly more sensible Best Pub/Bar (Madame Brussels - a choice that I'd definitely agree on) and Best Coffee (which the fantastic Auction Rooms missed out on, but they're definitely worth a visit if you're heading to a show at the Arts House).

You can read the full article here, although you might have to scroll down or skip to page 4 to find us!

If you're reading this in Australia, don't forget that Hugh will be returning to Sydney (although sadly not Melbourne on this occasion) for performances of 360 at the Sydney Festival (22 to 30 Jan). Tickets for that can be booked here.

Posted by Simon Bedford [Producer, Hoipolloi]

Feeling the earth move in Melbourne

Ladies and Gentleman, I'd like to report that a minor earthquake has just hit our current home of Melbourne! It was about 20 minutes ago and Hugh and Sioned were in the middle of a tech rehearsal for Floating.

We all stopped, looked at each other and tried to work out what was happening. But thankfully it wasn't too strong and passed after about 20 or 30 seconds! Fortunately we had passed the moment in the show when an earthquake hits Anglesey otherwise we would have been really confused! It was worst for Tom as he was up on a rickety balcony overlooking the space.

The show opens here at the Arts House at North Melbourne Town Hall tonight. We're all really excited to see how it goes, particularly following the success of our time in Sydney.

And speaking of Sydney, I've finally had time to edit together a quick video leading up to our first night at the Opera House. Here you go...

Moving to Melbourne

G'day!

Today I'm blogging from Melbourne, our second Australian destination on this tour. All went fantastically well in Sydney - a huge thank you to everyone who joined us there, Hugh and Sioned had a blast.

We transferred over yesterday (driven through the above bit of road in our taxi from the airport!) and were met by our lovely new host, Jude who works at the Arts House, the show's new home for a week.

She showed us around town a bit, sharing us the delights of Lygon Street and it's many Italian restaurants.

Today is going to be a relaxed day as we try and prepare ourselves for the week ahead. I've already completed a radio interview and am now attempting to catch up with myself in terms of sharing photos, editing some video footage and doing some jobs that I've been putting off!

If you saw the show in Sydney and have friends or family in Melbourne, please let them know where to find us (Arts House at North Melbourne Town Hall from 18 to 22 March!).

Hugh and Sioned can't wait to connect with a brand new set of people!

And thanks to SYN+H for the photo!