gregorhaddow

[gregorhaddow]

This was the last theatre I did - back in early 2023 - and we finally got reviewed in the Scotsman, and it’s a great review. I loved doing this play, and the accompanying online piece. I really miss doing theatre

[gregorhaddow]

Cycling in Edinburgh

It's been some time since I cycled through Edinburgh - and I forgot how tough it can be. All the hills and potholes everywhere, cars going too fast, pedestrians jumping out, swerving to avoid drunk people into the path of buses and cars. And you just know there is a lot of rage towards cyclists. What is that? The hate towards cyclists from people - often people who don't even drive.

Cycling home from town the other day, it's heading into twilight, up the road towards Colinton Mains - it's a 40 limit, big potholes everywhere, it's windy and gusty, raining, cold, and a car comes past far too close and the woman shouts "LIGHTS" at me as she goes past, so loud I almost fell off my bike when I jumped and swerved into a pothole. OK, I left in the day time without my lights, but it's not dark yet and there's no trouble seeing me - any point she might have had about safety was negated by her being so unsafe. All the times something like that flooded back to me, all the aggression and anger from people - and I realised I am glad not to be living and cycling here every day anymore.

But that woman probably went on her way, feeling good about herself, maybe telling someone later about how she got a cyclist told, and I wish her good luck

[gregorhaddow]

Reconnecting with Yoga

In moving all of our lives online, working from home, being unable to see loved ones, but also being free from the daily commute, we have discovered that we can live differently, and perhaps we have also discovered what is really important to us.

Over the course of 2020 with all the restrictions that we have experienced, our lives have become ever more virtual. Meetings, family occasions, dating, fitness classes - conducting our business online is now the norm. Yes, many things could already be done remotely, but this was often just as an addition or a temporary alternative, not just ‘how we do things’. The same has been true of yoga - I for one have done many classes via Zoom, Instagram, and have even gone computer generated (taking people out almost completely) using the excellent DownDog app. Indeed, I did so much yoga during lockdown and beyond that I re-engaged with my practise in a way I haven’t done for years.

Full of this new found zest for yoga, as lockdowns were eased, I decided to take the opportunity to (finally) train as a yoga teacher. I have been practising yoga on and off for almost 15 years. At first, I was a real ashtangi - and even travelled to Mysore - but have since moved away from ashtanga and have tried various different types of yoga over the last decade. Whilst I have taught friends on occasion, I had never actually taken the plunge and trained properly as a teacher - something that I had always wanted to do. Although I have been fortunate enough to keep working this year, I was owed some time off and with the window in which I could train starting to narrow I booked a 200hr YTT course with Green Yoga International in Mallorca.

Travel, the training and our stay there were of course affected by Covid - masks, social distancing, regular temperature checks and always the possibility of quarantine (for the whole group) in the event of anyone showing symptoms. But once we had all settled into the ashram the outside world and all of the angst of 2020 seemed to melt away. We embarked upon three intensive weeks - starting with morning meditation at 7:30 and final class finishing at 8pm. Six days a week, three to four hours of yoga a day, philosophy, anatomy, asana clinics and other classes. Observing silence from 10pm to 10:30am, lights out at 10:30pm, a vegan diet with no alcohol or meat to be brought on site. Doesn’t sound much like a holiday to you? Well I can tell you that it all added up to a break from modern life, from technology, distractions, vices and stress. And free of all of this I found what really matters - human connection.

Whilst my training was on many levels a journey of self discovery, something that will always stay with me is the connection made with the people who were training alongside me. All of us grew in many ways - and we grew together. I am not someone who normally lets their walls down easily - but I really feel that I will always share a bond with the other students, people who after only three weeks I can honestly call friends.

For all the wonders of our technological age, bringing us together despite being separated by the pandemic, or just by distance, nothing can quite replace being together in the same room. Of course, it stands to reason that being face to face is better for learning and understanding. But more than that: taking in all the nuances of speech and body language, the unspoken communication, just breathing each other’s air, the power of being together is something that can’t be replicated. I left this course with renewed vigour, revitalised by human contact, hopeful for the future, and with a resolve to make the most of every minute of every human connection. The word ‘yoga’ derives from the sanskrit for union - a union of mind body and soul - but over the three weeks of this course I learned that for me it means something else too - it’s about a union of minds, connecting with others, it’s about togetherness.

[gregorhaddow]

Skirt - Edinburgh Fringe 2018

Skirt by Claire Wood (http://cmfwood.blogspot.com/) was this year’s Fringe performance. I haven’t posted anything about it because I am not a very good blogger and I don’t believe anyone reads this anyway!

What a lovely time was had by all.  The play really grew on me during rehearsals - I suppose it’s hard to judge when you read something through but there are bits I felt were slightly clumsy or too wordy (what do I expect from a first ever performance from an unpublished playwright?). Once it was brought to life by the actors though, the good bits really started to shine through. It’s a nice wee play, showing the reality of life for women of all ages - and it would be good if she took it further and see if she could get it published.

More than the play was the cast, I had a great time with them all and it was lovely to have some really gregarious kids around. Makes me wish I had some of my own.

Here’s a couple of reviews:

http://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/skirt-grads-edfringe-2018-review/

https://edinburgh49.org/2018/08/12/skirt-royal-scots-club-6-11-aug-1830-90-mins/

[gregorhaddow]

Acting in Macbeth - Macduff

This May I will be performing as MacDuff in EGTG’s Macbeth (directed by the extremely able and talented Naomi Wallis-Ryder)

We just started rehearsals and it’s a strong cast - looking forward to acting along side Ross, Martin, Alistair, Sam, Rhiannon and all the others. A few of the cast I have seen perform but never acted along-side.

See the announcement about Macbeth and other EGTG shows here: http://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/news-grads-announce-2018-shows/

[gregorhaddow]

A fantastic review - Beauty was just a great show to be involved in. Thanks Claire!

[gregorhaddow]

Scotsman Review!

We made it into print in The Scotsman. 3 stars but it’s a good review and very positive about the acting.

Hopefully this will mean full houses for the remainder of the run.

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/edinburgh-festivals/theatre-review-beauty-1-4527773

[gregorhaddow]

Reviews for Beauty

We have been reviewed twice online - it’s all been very positive. 4 stars for both! 

Lots of compliments on acting, direction and writing. It’s been great to have such a demanding and prominent role - and combining it with performing in Volpone in the earlier show it’s been a (very rewarding) challenge.

Only two more nights to go of both plays and I’m already looking forward to what I’m doing next - and already missing them.

http://theweereview.com/review/beauty/

http://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/beauty-grads-edfringe-2017-review/

[gregorhaddow]

Edinburgh Fringe Update

I will be performing in two plays during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - Beauty and Volpone (see details here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=egtg)

I’m playing Sir Politic Would-be (a posh idiot) in Volpone which is going to be hilarious. 

In Beauty, I play Ty - an uncompromising artist (is there any other kind?). This is also a very funny play - as well as being thought-provoking.

[gregorhaddow]

Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh

[gregorhaddow]

I will be performing in their next show!

A Few Good Men

[gregorhaddow]

Death and the Maiden

This is a previous review for our 2015 Edinburgh Fringe show - Ariel Dorfman’s Death and the Maiden.

It’s a fantastic play and I think we made a creditable stab at it. It was a fantastic experience and all of us involved share a special bond.

http://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/death-and-the-maiden-edfringe-grads-2015-four-stars/

[gregorhaddow]

Awesome review for the Rose & Crown - the actors deserve it for all the hard work they put in

[gregorhaddow]

Playing Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

So, the Edinburgh Fringe is upon us and once again I am in a play. This has all been a bit last minute - someone pulled out and I was drafted in at the last minute. I had a holiday booked so cut it short slightly and learned up my lines whilst away. It should be a lot of fun - it’s a musical version (sadly, I am not singing) and there’s enough comedy gold moments in it to make it super entertaining. Hopefully my lines have stuck!

You can buy tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/midsummer-night-s-dream

[gregorhaddow]

Who is Gregor Haddow?

I am a web developer based in Edinburgh. I currently work for a digital agency based near The Shore in Leith. I have lived, worked and played in Edinburgh for about two decades (not including a two year stint in Aberdeen). There have been ups and downs and round-abouts but I’ve managed to leave most things better than when I started them (it’s too early to make a call on my own life).

In my spare time I am involved in amateur theatre - will be appearing in the Fringe 2016 as Oberon (Midsummer Night’s Dream) during the first week, and working backstage on The Rose & Crown during the last week.

Apart from that I do a lot of yoga, cycle a bit, go hillwalking, look after the dogs. In the past I have done Taekwon-do, Capoeira Angola, Tai Chi, played bass in a band, taught adults with disabilities and many other things.

I’d like to think my friends think I’m kind and generous and understanding and patient. There are times when I’ve not been the best person I want to be but I have always recognised that and tried to make amends, and I’ve never hidden from the mistakes I’ve made.

[gregorhaddow]

Is this a Tumblr?

Yes, I’m a web developer, and yes I could do something myself but Tumblr is pretty good. Better than any of the stuff we make!

SO this will just be musings, stories and links, and the world as I see it. Don’t believe what you read on other sites ;)

[gregorhaddow]

Always question what your senses are telling you