The X Factor     (Close Encounters of a Different Kind)

Apart from my own work, I often get drawn into other people's creative projects. When I first settled into Cardiff some of my circus friends called me up to get involved (unpaid) in a huge arts piece, with locations scattered everwhere in a small town, to publicise local arts initiatives.

 I originally thought I was going to simply play someone in a 'think tank' - a performance arts piece I thought I could do on my head. When I arrived, I got told they wanted me to play Norman Nesbitt, a UFO CONTACTEE, who thinks he remains the only person who "knows what's really going on". They gave me some naff clothes, and took me round to show me my flat (!) already full of maps, and UFO magazines, and obsessive notebooks, and even a rigged up spaceship in a cupboard - and then left me to improvise all day. Oh yes, and I had a girl-friend in pink fluffy slippers and dressing-gown, who nagged me whenever we met - and some men in white coats who were out to catch me (but never did!)

 I finally got hold of a copy of a video they made of the day. Here a couple of screen grabs of me playing a geek.

THE BELIEVERS    Are based in and around the Market Square but can also visit sites. They are all people who firmly believe that today is the day chosen for Aliens to visit Brynmawr and have travelled long distances to get here. They interpret the BOY's disappearance as A Sign: clearly he has been Chosen. Their activities can include: trying to convince the public of their beliefs and their theories about the mi sing BOY; waiting and watching the sky for Signs; examining clues and potential evidence; writing notes on what they observe. They know that you can trust no one and that anything may be a Sign, so they must be highly observant of all people and places.

NORMAN NESBITT   Believes he has been communicating with Aliens for years and desperately wants to be Taken. he believes that today is the day when he will finally be beamed up. At the start of the afternoon, his activities include: intently watching from his front room; monitoring the Signs; and preparing to be beamed up from his backyard. As the afternoon progresses, Norman becomes increasingly desperate, scours his notebook for errors in his calculations and rushes around town looking for the true Beam Up location. He rarely speaks to anyone other than himself. He doesn't like the fact that there are other Believers in town because he wants to the Only One. He has told his girlfriend it is all over so tries to get rid other whenever they meet. He knows the Men in White Coats are after him and believes that they are sent by the government to shut him up. He must avoid them. He is also highly suspicious of the SIS.

NORMA: HIS GIRLFRIEND   Received a letter from Norman telling her it was all over. She has come to his flat to find him and discovered his correspondence with the Aliens. She thinks they are to another woman. During the afternoon, she spends most of her time in the Pink Bathroom reading the letters, rereading his letter to her, crying and eating chocolates. She can also go out and look for Norman although she knows it is a lost cause. She doesn't speak to the audience because she is too upset.

THE MEN IN WHITE COATS   Have come to take Norman away. They either wait for him in the Waiting Room in his flat or look for him in the street. They do not know what he looks like so they can ask people if they are Norman Nesbitt. They do not find him.