Official opening

Today is the official opening of the Opera House, everything is ready. Set built. Rehearsals completed. His Majesty the Sultan is coming to tonight's performance so everybody is getting totally over-excited.

There are armed guards on all the entrances. We had been told that we are not allowed to use the car parks, and that we are not allowed to bring mobile phones into the building (though Omanis are - I don't know the thinking behind that one). What we weren't told was that we aren't allowed to bring cameras, cigarettes or lighters into the theatre. Don't know the thinking behind that one either.

Needless to say everybody was late getting to work as all the bags had to be searched and everybody was made to go through a metal detector. We made it though.

At the moment a thorough search of the building is taking place and once that has been completed no-one is allowed in or out of the building. We have to stay here until after His Majesty has left, what ever time that may be.

The sets are fantastic and spectacular (though they were difficult to build). The first act is set in a Chinese village and the second and third acts are set in a palace.

Placido Domingo is conducting the orchestra. I have never worked on a show with so many people in it. When they are all belting it out it is quite moving. Nessun Dorma is in this show. I wonder if it will get a round of applause.

Tonight's show is invitation only, but the price structure of the tickets means that 20 Riyals (£34) is the most expensive ticket. Every show for the season has been sold out.

I have heard that $1.2billion has been spent on the theatre in total. £4.2million on this show, including £2.4million on the set alone and it has taken £55,000 in ticket sales.

I am working on the fly floor (moving bars that the scenery & backcloths are attached to) which is automated - everything is moved by electric motors. Although I am not actually pressing the buttons, I am ensuring that all the pieces fly past each other (its known as brailling in the trade)