"Back Stage: Enter Stage Left, Act I" Chapter 2
Title: “Back Stage: Enter Stage Left, Act I”
Rating: Varies between chapters- possible mature content in later chapters
Spoilers/Disclaimers: Torchwood belongs to the BBC and RTD, I’m just borrowing the characters. It’s an AU story, so I’m pretty sure it shouldn’t spoil anyone’s enjoyment of Torchwood itself.
Summary: Torchwood characters in a story set in the contemporary world of UK Theatre/Entertainment.
Chapter List: http://wanda1969.livejournal.com/23796.html
Chapter 2: “Back Stage: Enter Stage Left, Act I”
***
“So, how was your day?” Lisa asked as she handed Ianto an opened bottle of Beck’s as he collapsed, exhausted, onto the sofa.
He looked over at her and smiled as she sank into an armchair and then sipped at her glass of white wine. “Same old, same old. You know what Panto’s like. How about you?”
Lisa was the Wardrobe Mistress at the Cardiff Arts Theatre, and she was getting ready for their rival (and altogether more serious and worthy) festive play- an updated version of ‘A Christmas Carol’- for over a week now. He sometimes felt that she viewed some of the entertainment based shows that he worked on at The Grand as frivolous and tacky- not ‘real theatre’ at all. It didn’t bother Ianto one little bit; entertainment often offered a Lighting Engineer more freedom and more variety than ‘real theatre’.
Lisa Hallett and Ianto had met in London, when they’d both been studying Drama and Theatre at King’s College. It had been love, or at least a ‘crush’, at first sight for Ianto, who had been well and truly dumbfounded when she had agreed to meet him for a beer at the Student Union bar a couple of weeks after they’d first met on the Second Year ‘Stage Management’ module. The two had hit it off and were soon dating. Six months later they moved into a flat on the Edgware Road. After they had both graduated, Ianto worked at the Theatre Royal and quickly garnered a reputation as an innovative and creative Lighting Designer; several of the shows he’d worked on had been nominated in the Oliviers and Evening Standard Awards, amongst others, and he had been in the running for a few awards for Best Lighting. Some of the proudest moments of his life so far where when his name had been called out as a winner at the Lighting Design Awards and a couple of his designs had been part of features in Lighting and Sound magazine.
It was only when his father had become ill that he started to question his career; two months later he had secured a post at The Cardiff Grand and convinced an initially reluctant Lisa to move back to Wales with him. Soon after, Lisa had news that her job application for the Arts Theatre had been successful.
“I’ve had to let out Patsy’s outfit again- she’s definitely been letting herself go since she was on Strictly Come Dancing. Came in with a Quarter Pounder meal with extra onion rings today.”
Ianto laughed and Lisa took another slurp of her drink.
“So, then, what’s the cast and company like?” she asked.
“The usual selection of wannabes and holiday camp entertainers… but we’ve got that actress who’s just left EastEnders as the princess… what’s she called? Rose…?”
“Oh, you mean Rose Tyler. She should bring the crowds in.”
Ianto was sure he’d told Lisa all about the cast list when they’d started advertising the show in the Autumn, but he let it slide. “We’ve got Angharad Davies from Pobol y Cwm , too- that should bring in the local crowd. She’s playing the fairy.”
Lisa looked distinctly unimpressed- she’d not really been enthusiastic about the move to Cardiff, and she avoided all the local programmes and Welsh language TV.
“We’ve got Jack Harkness as Aladdin, too. Y’know? He was in a few of the episodes in that new series of Doctor Who.”
Lisa’s interest was piqued. “Now you’re talking! If he doesn’t get the kids- and the mothers- in, there’s no hope for live theatre. What’s he like? Does he look as good as he does on the telly?”
Ianto rolled his eyes and took another sip of beer; wait until he told his sister- she’d be just as inquisitive when she found out he was working with the actor. “I’ve not really met any of them properly yet… but, yes, he does look as good as he does on TV- and he knows it. He’s got one hell of a voice, though. Tosh is already getting a bit overexcited about working with him.”
“Mmm… I bet she is…” Lisa said with envy and set her now empty wine glass down on the coffee table. “I bet all the women are.”
Ianto looked over and belatedly noticed that she was dressed for a Friday night out, even though it was only a Wednesday; her hair was perfectly styled and she was wearing the little black dress that she’d worn to their last anniversary meal. He loved that dress; the sateen finish of the fabric complimented her dark skin, and the bold silver jewellery that she so often wore only highlighted the simplistic tailoring which showed off her figure to perfection. “Are you off out?”
“Oh… yeah.” Her eyes darted away and she pointedly studied the rug on the floor. “Is that OK? A few of the girls are meeting up for drinks- letting off a bit of steam before we get into the Christmas run.”
“’Course it is, Lisa. Going anywhere good?” It was hardly worth objecting, she was already dressed for the occasion, and Ianto was pretty sure he wasn’t going to be the best of company anyway- it had been a busy week, getting the stage rigged and ready for the backcloths and set that had only arrived that day, and he had no doubt that he would be fast asleep soon after finishing his dinner. He briefly reflected on the fact that Lisa seemed to be going out more and more often these days. Well, he thought, they were both young, and with no kids on the horizon for the foreseeable future, why not make the most of life while you could?
“We’re meeting at The Admiral and grabbing a bite to eat. Then I guess we’ll just make our way ‘round a few bars. There’s some Moussaka in the freezer that you can have for dinner, by the way, or look through the ‘fridge. I think there’s some salad.” Distractedly Lisa looked at the time on her ‘phone and leapt to her feet. “And if I don’t get moving I’ll be late- we’re meeting at half seven.”
She quickly headed towards the hallway to collect her coat, only pausing to place a cursory peck on the top of Ianto’s head. “See you later, love… Don’t wait up,” she called out as she left the flat.
Ianto turned on the television, finished his beer, and came to the conclusion that the microwaveable Moussaka was clearly the easiest option for dinner. Best to make the most of it now- soon enough, when the rehearsals and show were in full swing, he’d probably only have time for quick snacks and takeaways.
***
To Be Continued…