Page 91 of The Silent Appeal

Please bring your energy, enthusiasm, and a big tub of elbow grease!

Celia and Joel Halliday OBE

To: Celia Halliday

From: Nicky-Rose Dearing

Date: February 15, 2025

Subject: Re: Set-building

Hi Celia,

I spoke to Joel on Monday about changing the set. He’s got the patio doors too far to the right. They should be central so the murder is clearly visible to the entire audience. Are you really thinking of just covering the sofa that’s onstage? I suggest we look for an older-style couch, or even a chaise longue, because that settee is a distinctive 1980s design. The early fifties were still woody and ornate and formal. Even covered in chintz it will look wrong.

I’ll come down on Sunday and supervise.

To: Nicky-Rose Dearing

From: Celia Halliday

Date: February 15, 2025

Subject: Re: Set-building

Joel knows what he’s doing, thank you. But of course, please come to the hall on Sunday. We need sweepers, scrubbers, and strippers. Celia

To: Celia Halliday

From: Kevin MacDonald

Date: February 15, 2025

Subject: Re: Set-building

Hi Celia,

Thanks for sending out the set-building email without running it past me first. I’m sure you were just saving me the bother, but just to be clear, dogs are NOT welcome at set-building. It’s dangerous to have them running about while valuable cast and crew members are teetering up ladders and balancing on tables, etc. They are also a distraction and, in some cases, smelly.

While I’m emailing you, I’d like your thoughts on the sleep out in April. We’ve promised participants a lively evening of entertainment and there are twenty-four people signed up expecting just that. In short, please can you and Joel run board game, Ping-Pong, and foosball tournaments, potentially simultaneously? Kevin

To: Kevin MacDonald

From: Celia Halliday

Date: February 15, 2025

Subject: Re: Set-building

Of course we can run those tournaments, Kevin. If Woof can come to set-building.

Celia and Joel Halliday OBE

Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on February 15, 2025:

1:11 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:

You should have banned the dog THEN asked for their help at the sleep out, in separate emails, at least a week apart. That’s Halliday Management 101.