Saturday, 15 June 2019
Inside Passage, British Columbia, Canada
Another full day at sea. But a busy one. Plenty of entertainment on board to amuse.
Being involved with theatre (primarily as an amateur lighting designer), thought it would be interesting to ‘Meet the Cast & Crew’ of the ship’s theatre. Very little ‘meet the crew’ sadly, as would have loved to have a tour of their sound and lighting technical room. Instead, it’s just a line up of the dancers and singers. Many a friend of Dorothy amongst the male dancers and singers. After 45 minutes of Q&A, given a backstage tour. Oh good, something interesting at last. Except, it’s not really a backstage tour. Not allowed on stage. The wings are out of bounds. No. It’s just a walk down the back passage to the changing rooms. The male dancers like going up and down the back passage. Everywhere is painted white steel. No soft furnishings here. The dancers get bored apparently. Only have to perform two shows for an hour each week and that’s it. Nothing else to do. They’re glad they’re on a Holland America ship though, as they are allowed to wander about the public areas and use the passenger facilities. Not the case on some other ships apparently, where you’re confined to crew quarters only.
The biggest audience is reserved for the ‘Ask the Captain’ session. He’s a middle aged Dutchman with a very dry sense of humour. Very funny. Really interesting to learn how they navigate, basically a sat-nav like you get in your car, and how they dock. Three booster propellers each side of the bow and the two main propellers at the stern are azimuth types. They negate the need for a rudder as they can rotate 360 degrees.
Yet another highlight of the day is a special matinee show put on by the magician, James Cielen. Has a camera rigged up over a card table so all can see the close up card tricks and other things. It’s so impressive. It is of course, a set up to sell lots of his magic kits, available after the show. All the tricks he demonstrates are in the magic kit and he guarantees that anyone buying the kit will be able to do his ‘magic’.
Well, dear reader, so impressed was I, that I succumbed to the sales pitch. Yes, I shall be impressing dinner party guests, nieces, godchildren and anyone else who crosses my path.
For. I. Am. A. Magician. Now.
A bit of hocus pocus.
Never mind hocus said the actress to the Bishop.
Like a kid at Christmas, I rush back to cabin, magic kit under arm. This is it. Takes an hour to master most of the tricks.
Paul Daniels that I am.
Now that’s magic.
Not a lot.
Easy when you know how.
Be prepared to be impressed folks upon my return.
The ‘variety’ evening show is a mix of the pianist and the magician. Both, once again, are excellent.
I can imagine myself in a few years doing my own one man show.
Bit of piano playing.
Bit of magic.
Ah yes.
Retirement plan.
Yet another awesome day finishes with an impressive moonrise above the Inside Passage as we follow an illuminated cruise ship (see photo below).
