This summer has been very busy indeed. During one period I worked 46 days in a row with only one day off. I’m going to be taking it a bit easier in September.
I have started working as a freelance live interpreter in addition to my ‘day job’ at Bodiam Castle. I applied to top live interpretation Past Pleasures at the start of the year and, after a series of interviews and workshops, was added to their large team of live interpreters.
I have been working at Dover Castle and the Banqueting House in Whitehall, London for PP.
At Dover I’ve been Ranulf de Glanvill, Chief Justiciar of Henry II, William de Hommet, Constable of the King’s Household and Wulfheard the Saxon armourer.
At the Banqueting House I was one of PP’s Inigo Jones in a project about the Stuart masques which involved performing in front of a 7 metre high animation screen. It was a bit nerve-racking at first, but by the last of my shifts I was really enjoying it. It has been great to work as part of a team of talented live interpreters and at some beautiful sites.
Of course, as soon as I found extra work an opportunity came up at Bodiam to work extra hours there. I even got to ‘be’ Sir Edward Dallingridge for a couple of days. After two lean years it has been great to be earning enough to get by on again, but I don’t think I could work another summer like this.
Lance Woodman 