Calmed down after our auditions this week. What a talented bunch we have, though! Provided Covid doesn't get in the way again Sing From The Heart is on course.

I bang on about the unfairness of the public school system and proudly proclaim my state education. But time shows that those of us who were in grammar school VIth form were also highly privileged.

I'm going to sound terribly arty here but I'm finding it thrilling that others involved in my play, Sing From The Heart, have a different vision to me sometimes. I wrote a character one way but they see it another, or songs given another emphasis.

Just for a change they interview the writer - ie the one who thought it up, wrote it and turned it into a proper story.

Marry your mistress and create a vacancy.

Sing From The Heart: first rehearsal next Tuesday... and I'll have to miss it because I'll be self-isolating prior to a cataract op the next day. Swings and roundabouts!

Could the education row be Johnson's Black Wednesday?

We are looking for a Stage Manager to join our fabulous Playhouse tent on tour. The year’s production will be Me & My Bee! 🐝. Application deadline 7 Jun. 📅 For more info click below #BackOnStage bit.ly/3nRQorS

Pirate Rehearsal Rooms here we come. First proper rehearsal of The Stones Project with Me, Paul Cleverley, Peat Gregory and Tony Travis. There'll be 9 of us when we've added in the other vocalists. Wahay, time for some noise!

What a day: three hours playing Stones songs with the new band then two hours watching Yesterday this evening. What a rich seam of music they left us.

I spent a lot of times in and around prisons as a reporter and the BBC's Time last night seemed about right. What a grim reality.

Cataract op in two days times: I've had one done and know what to expect but still feel nervous - they slice open the eye, suck out the lens and put another one in. I mean, Bloody Hell!

Holby City ends in nine months time - but are they already trying to wean us off with a recent series of awful plot lines and characters?

My view too.

Sorry Alastair but GB News is even worse than we'd feared. You might want to extend your convalescence to the day after its demise.

The deadline is up this Sunday - are you (or do you know some who may be) up to the challenge of the Reading Bach Choir's new Musical Director?

Another rabid right wing anti, vax radio host has died of Covid in America. Hoist by their own petards.

Ladies, gentlemen and others, I am proud to say we have a show. Sing From The Heart opens tonight at the HAODS Studio.

“We all deserve a laugh right now, after the two years that we’ve had to deal with, but Michael Frayn’s comedies are never just that - there is always something else sitting underneath and Alarms and Excursions is no exception” -James Haddrell, Director 🎟️bit.ly/3Ahs3l9

Oh my days. They really should find some MPs with the capacity to do more than crawl and gibber when up against seasoned pros like Eddie Mair. Matt Warman