Backstage a The Gateway – with theatre manager Sophia Moseley

"I've gone to the top and written to Stephen Spielberg."

That's actually not a bad idea, but not one of mine. It's a quote from 'Save the Cinema' that was shown at the Gateway on its premier night, and whilst I didn't hear from Spielberg, I was highly chuffed when asked "how did you manage to get it on its premier night?".

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

Not sure if it was Bond or Holmes who said that, but I digress. 

How ironic that the first film we show in 2022 is about the survival of a theatre, not only that, but the Gateway was the only theatre in the area to show it. You'd think we'd have been overrun, wouldn't you? Hey ho.

Meanwhile, Paul and Rebecca, our theatre techs, set up another brilliant afternoon of trailers for us to watch. I'm keen on 'Murder on the Nile' and have already started rummaging through the theatre wardrobe looking for a suitable outfit and I'm hoping to find a pyramid in the props department, though if I know anything, Annette and Cilla, two of our wonderful interior designers, will have something they can rustle up.

Anyway, what about Christmas? Did you have a good one? Mine was interesting and I still have the scars to prove it. But I did get some books, including 'The Lost Village of Lawers'; a great read and a  must if you are planning a trip to Perthshire.

Also Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club'. The jury is still out on that one, I certainly wouldn't call it 'gripping' which is what The Sunday Times said. Apparently, he was knocked off the top spot by something called 'Pinch of Nom'. 

Talking of quality writing, not that I'm saying either of those are, but did you see my piece in Devon Life about the history of the Gateway? Not my usual three-page spread, but things are different now in the world of magazines, although I do have another idea up my sleeve.

I've adopted a piano. What, you may ask, does that have to do with writing? Well, let me tell you. I've been looking for a piano since I had to get rid of mine three years ago, so when I saw this one on Freecycle, I said 'yes!'. All I had to do was move it from Seaton to Uplyme.

Three months and £130 later, I installed my John Broadwood upright. Turns out, due to its age and construction, only a specialist piano tuner can tune it. So I can kiss goodbye to another hundred plus. Nothing in life is free, remember that. 

But turns out it has a history and more exciting, a link with the Sorbonne; there's a story in there somewhere.

Talking of abroad, can't say I'll be heading very far this year, least of all my passport has expired, although I did think of tracing my roots back to Dublin. I've always thought there was a bit of the Irish gypsy in me.

But as I was saying, about Christmas, I decided on a quieter New Year and wandered down to the Lyme Regis seafront to see in the new year and, more importantly, make sure the old one left.

I can't say I bothered with any NY resolutions, I'm not even sure that's a thing anymore, is it? I know my two don't bother. Although I cannot deny I did have a three-year plan, five years ago and not wishing to overstretch myself, stuck to achieving one thing per annum.

I know, do the maths. But the point is, I'm in the final part of the plan so I have a year to achieve my third goal. You want to know what that is don't you? 

If I told you, I'd have to kill you…