Apologies for the radio silence... busy times for busy men, or something equally poetic.

I've booked several venues for our tour of Bouncers and Shakers over the last few days, and I keep finding the shadow of a company I used to work for looming over them. Now, I have no idea what happened, or why it happened, but I'm a bit annoyed that whatever these horrendous events were, they're casting the shadow of doubt as soon as I mention my name.

Were the staff at these venues briefed? Did this company practice Satanic rituals in the dressing rooms? What happened to cause such bitterness at the mention of this companies name?

I knoweth not these things. All I do know is two venues have had to ask for the hire fee in advance because they no longer trust professional theatre companies. This would be fine if we were funded, but we're not. We're just a ticket income supported group at the moment, and the current situation is that we're going to spend £1000 before we've set foot inside our first venue, sold our first ticket, handed over our first programme.

So, it is with a heavy heart that I must now begin selling advertising space in the show programme to help combat these bills. I just want to stress, I really dislike selling advertising space in the show programme...It means the programme has to have more pages, it has less overall content, and it means more work for yours truly.

In other news...The auditions are a week away. We are five weeks away from the first Bouncers/Shakers rehearsal...We NEED some arts funding, like...Last week. I'm scared shitless, and I'm struggling to find a job that is flexible enough for me to carry the immense workload I have, and yet allow me to earn a half decent wage to eat, pay rent... and to further cripple me and my girlfriend - we're currently taking on around 80% of the company outgoings, even though in the initial setup of this group the general agreement was that the finances would be a burden shared equally throughout the team until we succeeded in acquiring the golden joy of funding.

"I been laid off from work my rent is due
My kids all need brand new shoes
So I went to the bank to see what they could do
They said son looks like bad luck got a hold on you

Money'’s too tight to mention
I can't get an unemployment extension
Money’'s too tight to mention

I went to my brother to see what he could do
He said brother I'’d like to help but I'm unable to
So called on my father, father
Almighty father, he said

Money's too tight to mention
Oh money money money money
Money's too tight to mention
I cant even qualify for my pension

We'’re talking about reaganomics
Oh lord down in the congress
They'’re passing all kinds of bills
From up there on capitol hill, we'’ve tried it

Money'’s too tight to mention
Oh money money money money
Money's too tight to mention
Cutbacks!

We'’re talking a’bout the dollar bill
And that old man who'’s over the hill
Now what are we all to do
When money's got a hold on you

Money'’s too tight etc.

We're talking about money money
We'’re talking about money money"

I don't have to buy my kids new shoes. I don't have any kids. But you get the general idea.