What's Coming (or Leaving) Home?

Football may have made it all the way to the front door recently. Sadly, it couldn't quite make it over the threshold on this occasion. However, there are plenty of others beginning to bring "it" (Whatever "it" may be) home!

What must it feel like, setting out on your "pitch" for the first time in sixteen months? Who knows how many of us would react? Anxious, excited, lacking match sharpness? How many of us have acclimatised to working from home and interacting with the world outside via a phone or computer screen? How many are staring nervously at their front door, hesitating to reach out and open it? Cautious about stepping back into a world where they must now interact with real people?

Spare a thought, and take some inspiration, for those people emerging from lockdown and having to step into the spotlight for the first time in a long time. So it was on Saturday, when Craig Mather, star of West End shows, stepped into the spotlight for the inaugural "Mercury Lates" session in the recently refurbished Mercury Theatre Café Bar in Colchester.

People like Craig get to do their "thing" in front of a live audience. I'm not sure how it compares to taking penalties in the final of major European football championship. I know I couldn't do either. I have neither the talent, nor the necessary composure and confidence. Safe to say, Craig was brilliant, engaging, and entertaining. If there were nerves, I couldn't spot them, not that I'm a theatre critic.

Craig wasn't the only one stepping out for the first time in a long while. A host of others helped create and promote the event, supported Craig in doing his "thing" and, looked after us, the audience, on the night. I'm sure some of these people may have been stepping out into their own personal spotlight. Take your own personal bow. You rocked it!

In between a vocal tour de force, Craig shared some personal stories that reminded me that even those with the "gumption" to step out in-front of an audience often endure the same self-doubts, hopes, false steps and brilliant highs as those of us who may feel we live much more mundane existences. If ever you find yourself staring at the back of your front door, wondering if you can step through it. Just know that some of your favourite people probably go through the same. Open the door, step through it and be your brilliant best!

If you ever get the chance to see Craig perform live, he has a fantastic Dave Grohl tale to tell!