Super Saturday Part 2 - Try not to get worried

Emotions were running high. A sell-out crowd was expected. Lots of friends and family in the audience. A party after. But I think everyone's excitement was tempered with some sadness that this was really it...the final performance of this fantastic show.

Make-up was applied for the last time (well, for me anyway!), the costume, now looking a bit grubby round the edges, was pulled on once more. The hair smoothed down and the headband put in place. The microphone tucked in correctly and I was ready. Excited and depressed. A little scared about what was going to happen when this was all over. But more than anything, determined to give the best performance I could to send this show off with a bang.

I tried to take everything in as I was doing it so I could remember. The walk through the audience during the overture, stepping up onto stage and gazing a Pete, looking every bit the man he was portraying. Feeling the spotlight pick me up as the crowd dispersed. The stage lights turn red - Judas' colour - and I start for the last time.

"Heaven..." - I have loved singing this song. It is such a great way to start the show - really sets the mood. I gave it some welly and managed to get through it with my voice intact.

"What's the buzz?" - I liked the little look me and Pete shared at the top of the set - a lot was said in that glance and I hope the audience picked up on it. This song is just great. The chorus were amazing, and, combined with the fantastic band giving it all they had, and the crazy, funky lights at the back, combined to really knock the audience's socks off.

"Strange Thing..." - This got better as the wek went on. I have to say I took my inspiration for this bit from Jerome Pradon (Judas in recent JCS video). He does it so well and I love his sneering attitude. Pete was great in this number. The way he turned away from me a looked to the sky on "when I'm gone!"....magic.

"Everything's Alright" - where we first hear Caroline's beautiful voice, with the lovely backing by the Apostles and their wives...nice and gentle - well done guys. My voice was in no state to sing "feet and hair" by this time, so I just shouted the last word. I resisted the temptation to stick my tongue out at Ali as she looked up at me while walking off :o)

"This Jesus Must Die" - These guys have been great. They sounded amazing in this. Kev and Gary made a great double-act.

"Hosanna" was definitely a triumph. Everyone I spoke to who had seen it said it was great. And the effect of Pete grabbing the red cloth as he walked up the stage really did work. The chorus did such a great job in this, and on Saturday it was just fantastic.

"Pilate's Dream" - David has been great in this role and Saturday's performance was no exception. I imagine it's easy to go over the top with it and be very agressive, but I think David played it to perfection. And he's been such a nice guy to share a room with (I know coz he told us! lol...only kidding). Me him and Pete had such a laugh last week, it really helped to keep me going.

"The Temple" - I really enjoyed this scene. I got to enjoy the great singing by the chorus, and the great dancing by the girls on the balcony ;o) As usual, this was a great performance by all, and Pete really hit the mark with his "My temple should be...". Big well done to everyone for the lepers scene - I think this was one of the most effective scenes in the first half - when the lights went green it totally changed the mood and you all did so well at being afflicted! (By the way, I found a foot in the wings on the last night, email me if you lost one.....)

"I don't know..." - My dad reckoned Caroline sang this better than any recording he has ever heard, and I would have to agree with him. Stunning, simply stunning.

"Damned for all time" - Although this has given me so much grief, I will really kind of miss it. I was really struggling to keep going with it - it's an excercise in breath control - but at least I managed to get my words out this time! And I just love the ending - standing in front of the red lights with the bag...fade to black...then sloping off down the stairs snivelling to myself. What a way to end the act.