Backstage a The Gateway – with theatre manager Sophia Moseley

"I expected to see you in your lycra and running shoes."

That could have only come from someone who doesn't know me, because the only time you'll see me running is when there is a grizzly bear coming after me.

But top salesman, Damian, from P B Home Solutions' showroom opposite The Gateway, was talking about a completely different kind of grizzly. He was, of course referring to the famous Grizzly Race 2022 that happened last weekend.

I have never experienced this astonishing event, and given The Gateway Theatre was Grizzly HQ, I had to get to grips with it pretty quickly. But I had little to fear, because the organisers of this mammoth spectacular are like a well-oiled machine, and they had every part of the event finely tuned, and our brilliant team of theatre volunteers stepped up to the plate with plenty of tea and high energy carbs for the runners in the theatre pop-up café.

In fact, it has been a pretty active month all round for Team Gateway. Whilst Tony from the Grizzly was pacing out the 20 plus miles of the course, theatre programmer Ali Ransom and I were walking our planned Easter Trail asking local shops if they would like be part of our Good Friday family fun day that also includes the Peter Rabbit film in the afternoon.

We're going to have a rummage in the theatre wardrobe to see if there are any rabbit costumes and no, before you ask, we are not dressing up as bunny girls.

Did you see our screening of 'The House of Gucci'? Lady Gaga is no bad actress, although there were a couple of scenes that had our front of house volunteers in fits of giggles.

The actual Gucci family apparently dismissed the film as a 'cheap soap opera', but like all good soaps, it had the audience riveted and there were quite a few, me included, who had forgotten Mr Gucci was shot in 1995.

Anyway, assassination aside, we were indebted to two local businesses who came to our rescue when we were faced with shifting masses of stuff that has been stored in a shed on the Seaton Football Club grounds for goodness knows how long. The two heroes were Del from the DH Team and Toby from Frank Recycling, both going above and beyond.

I had a hero closer to home to thank when Eunice and Franklin hit, although Eunice probably had a bit more wind in her than her partner. She took a couple of my fence panels with her, as well as a roof tile.

Being more of a Blue Peter sticky-tape-and-piece-of-string rather than a Bobette-the-builder kinda girl, I was very grateful to my wonderful neighbour who kindly shored things up for me. I'm not sure if Gladys has been and gone yet, hopefully she'll have blown herself out by the time she reaches land.

Have I told you about my Irish roots? I thought they were in Dublin, but now I'm not so sure, it could be Belfast, but either way, I do love a bit of Irish dancing.

I saw one of the first Riverdance performances with Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, so I'm super excited that The Gateway is going to be screening the anniversary performance. Not only that, but it's being shown on St Patrick's Day. I'm going to make sure there is plenty of Guinness for those who do and for those who don't, there will be baby Guinness.

Perhaps I'll put my Irish roots to the test and treat the audience to a bit of freestyle Ceili. Given my skill as a dancer, I reckon I could give Michael and co a run for their money… or it might be easier to buy some lycra and start practising for the Grizzly 2023.