My most outrageous memory concerns a tour of Gagarin Way with Rapture. During the tour one of the actors took ill and was unable to perform the play. Rather than cancel the performances, the director, Michael Emans decided that he, himself would step in and play the role, which he did and played the role on stage without needing to take the script on stage with him and in fact did not require a single prompt if he forgot any of the lines. This was just as well, as, being a very small company, we didn’t have anyone available to offer prompts anyway! To say Michael was magnificent would be an understatement, and I think it aptly illustrates his commitment to and love for live theatre. I think he had to cover for three or four performances and he earned my undying appreciation and respect. I am no critic so I will not offer any artistic appraisal of his portrayal of the character in question, but all I’ll say is, Michael, don’t give up the day job!
Jimmy Chisholm, Actor
