"Back Stage: Interval" Chapter 3
Title: “Back Stage: Interval, Chapter 3”
Rating: M, for later adult content.
Spoilers/Disclaimers: Torchwood belongs to the BBC and RTD- I’m just borrowing the charcters. I own nothing here, nor do I make any money- so please don’t prosecute!
Synopsis: Torchwood characters in a story set in the world of UK Theatre/ Entertainment.
A/N: Another short one! Thanks as ever to everyone who’s reading and commenting.
Chapter List: http://wanda1969.livejournal.com/23796.html
Chapter 3
***
Jack sighed at the laptop in front of him. To his complete horror, there were several weeks in February 2012 blocked out in his calendar, the only thing next to them being the letters ‘TBC’. Just after his appearance in Pantomime in Birmingham. He’d been looking forward to a nice, long holiday after this year’s show, Snow White, but, by the look of it, he’d be lucky to get away with a week in Tenerife at this rate. Perhaps he shouldn’t worry- he’d been waiting years for this opportunity to make it into mainstream TV and the ‘big time’. He looked through his mobile’s contacts section and pressed ‘dial’ for the only other person with full access to his diary.
“Hello, Martha Jones’ Management.” Although Jack had called her personal mobile, the Manager was always on the job.
“Martha! Voice of a nightingale! It’s Jack, How are you doing?”
“You know, schmoozing here, schmoozing there. How about you?”
“Fine, busy- as you know- but fine. I was just looking in my dairy and I found...”
“...That TBC entry. Look, I’m sorry but your ‘phone was engaged last night. Have you checked your ‘phone messages?”
“Well, no...” Jack knew he was lazy when it came to checking his messages. He quickly made a mental note to ask Martha about recruitingng a proper PA. He’d been avoiding such intrusion into his life for years, but since ‘Torchwood’ and ‘Who wants to be a Star?’, he was in demand. An extra pair of hands would come in handy, not to mention the fact that he was terrible at organising his own diary.
“Jack,” she admonished. “Well, if you had...” Martha continued to explain patiently, “You would have found a message about setting up a meeting to discuss those very dates.”
“Oh...” Jack trailed off, chastised. He coughed, knowing he’d been caught out, but not wanting to admit it. “OK, what’s it all about?”
“Steve Morgan’s been writing a musical... ” She paused as Jack took that in; Morgan was the main writer of ‘Torchwood’. “And he wants you to be the star. It’s gonna be ‘Torchwood’ but with even more kitsch and music. We’re thinking about a première and about four week in the sticks, and hoping for a few weeks later in the year in London. Hartman’s behind it all- as soon as she heard Steve was toying with doing a musical, she signed him up. She loved your turn in Aladdin, and since you’re all over TV at the moment you’re a highly bankable commodity... And ‘Torchwood’ has been a big hit for home grown sci fi... ”
The actor was silent for a second, he was lost for words and his interest piqued- not to mention that he was flattered by Steve’s faith in him. And the show would be an opportunity to showcase his singing to a different audience, one of younger viewers who might not have ever thought that musical theatre was for them. He finally let out a low whistle and grinned to himself. “Wow! I’ve gotta say yes, haven’t I? It’s not often a guy gets a musical written for him!”
He heard Martha’s musical laugh drifting down the ‘phone. “You’re right there- you can’t miss this opportunity. Some of the songs are going to be original, with a few, popular hits, but best of all... Steve wants you to look over the script and song list, have some input... It’s not often you get a chance like that.”
The proposition was sounding better and better to Jack. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he’d be in a position to pick and choose like this, and he’d never even thought that he would ever be in this position, with a real prospect of being able to influence a show he was in, well beyond just his own performance. “In which case, the answer’s ‘yes’...”
“I’m so glad!” Martha all but squealed. “It’s gonna be a lot of intensive work- it’s not going to be ‘turn up on the day and just go with the script’... You’ve got to be prepared for that.”
“I know,” he said seriously. “But it’s a chance to really make a mark.” He paused. “So, now I’ve said ‘yes’, exactly where are you thinking about for a ‘place in the sticks’ for the opening?”
“Well...Birmingham and Manchester were suggested, but since the show’s set there, Yvonne and Steve are thinking the logical choice is Cardiff- maybe the Grand again. It’s got that retro look that he’s looking for and the stage can easily accommodate the set changes and show, full stop.”
Jack felt his stomach turn and twist, but only for a moment. Martha was right- Cardiff was the logical choice- and even though this meant that he may well be returning to the Grand, he was sure he’d squared things with Ianto before he’d left. Hell, from what he’d seen of the other man’s work, they’d also have the benefit of one of the best Lighting Operators outside of the West End, assuming that the Welshman was still there next year and hadn’t left for pastures new with Lisa. He was certain that Ianto was professional enough not to hold his past indiscretion against him. He just had to make sure that he could be that professional, too.
***
To Be Continued...