Back on the bus following an interesting few weeks around the BNL Cruise.
First of all let me say that I’m sad to hear Steve Page is leaving the Ladies, but wish him and the remaining lads well in their endeavors. With their talents and energy, I am sure we’ll be hearing a lot from all hands for a long time to come.
Now to get some news off my chest. I’m terrible at keeping secrets, so this announcement comes with great relief. Yours truly has been cast as the Troubadour, Allan A’Dayle in the new Universal Pictures Untitled Robin Hood Film. The film is to star Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, and to be directed by Ridley Scott. If you recall, I had to scoot to LA after the big fundraising gig in Toronto last December. I went, Lute in hand, to read and sing for the part and must have done all right, as I’ve been offered and accepted the gig.
For a number of days prior to and following the BNL Cruise, I was in Australia with Russell, and some of the other Merry Men, training in Horse Riding, Archery, Weapons Training and a few other skills required for the role. It was great fun, I must say, to look at your schedule for the day and have it read like a 12 year old boy’s fantasy; bows and arrows at 10am, sword fighting at 11am etc.
Like all good things, this opportunity comes with some sacrifice. GBS will have to bow out of this year’s Merlefest, Chautauqua and Iowa Irish Festival gigs, as the film’s shooting schedule does not allow me to make it to the Festivals from the sets in the UK. Too bad, as we all wanted to join up with the long list of heralded music at those events. The organizers have been very understanding and all hands hope we can make it there as soon as possible, maybe even 2010.
Filming should take up the bulk of the second quarter of 2009, so our March concerts in the US and the Canadian Dates with Spirit of the West will be the last chance to see us for a few months. It will be business as usual in the GBS camp in the second half of this year as we plan to tour and record as per normal.
I am very grateful to the Cast and Crew of GBS for their permission and support for this sabbatical, and hope you’ll continue to join me here as I hope to post regular blogs throughout the film shoot. Don’t expect me to give away the plot or anything, but I hope to share as much of this experience as possible with everyone who enjoys this diary.
Should be fun.
Cheers,
Alan