This page includes the full "Should I have stayed in bed?" poem and 44 photographs of Matthew performing at the Mission Theatre in Bath on 13 December 2008. And it starts with five images from one of the many practice sessions that preceded that night.

The Practice

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

The Introduction and Manifesto

(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

(Photo: Jon Paget)

(Photo: Jon Paget)

(Photo: Jon Paget)

The Performance

Have you all eaten an apple today? If not, how will you keep the doctor away?
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

As a healer my hands warm and the process starts. But some say warm hands mean cold hearts!
(Photo: Jon Paget)

At work I passed someone on the stairs. Bad luck perhaps but was it mine or theirs?
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

With spilt salt, over the shoulder it must go. What's the point of that? I just don’t know!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

If the groom drops the wedding ring, bad luck assumed. Many believe that marriage will be doomed!
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Good luck from clothes worn inside out? The truth in that I certainly doubt!
(Photo: Jon Paget)

You may come into money if your right hand itches. But if it's the left hand you could lose all your riches!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Today I got out of the wrong side of bed. Surely bad moods now lie ahead?
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

I once saw a brown toad of sorts. I ran away as I've heard they cause warts!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

It's unlucky to see a magpie, which I knew. So how can it be lucky when they number two?
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Once a black cat crossed my way. Not more bad luck so hard I pray
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Walking under a ladder, more bad luck for me? Why is it worse than walking under a tree?
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Outside I found a shiny penny, facing up. At least that's meant to bring me good luck!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Cleaning my car is always a pain. Especially as it always seems to make it rain!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

My wet umbrella is always dried indoors. Unlucky perhaps. But how do you dry yours?
(Photo: Jon Paget)

When I see a horseshoe on a wall I want to frown. For I've heard they lose their luck when turned upside down!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

When a nice mirror breaks there could be tears. Better that than bad luck for seven years!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Note the door you use to enter your abode. And don't use another to get back to the road
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Always get a brand new broom for each house move. A very wise investment that should prove
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

If you pick up a shiny pin from the floor. That could increase your luck some more
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Listen out for squeaks from people's new shoes. The owner may not have paid their dues!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Hat on a bed or keys on a table? More bad luck or another fable?
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Good luck from rubbing a rabbit's feet? Is this building into total deceit?
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

More luck apparently from a four-leaf clover? When will this deception be over?
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Biting your tongue when eating could imply. That you may have recently told a lie!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Always cover your mouth when you sneeze. To stop your soul flying out on the breeze
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

With yawning the same thing can arise. And to imminent danger you need to be wise
(Photo: Jon Paget)

Don't cut nails on Friday or Sunday I've learned. And clippings should be saved, buried or burned
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Nice things are being said if your right ear is itching. But an itchy left ear means someone is bitching
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

If your nose itches a visitor may soon cause delight. A man for the left nostril, a woman for the right
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

A birth is due with a twitch in the right eye. Sadly a death the left will imply
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

If you remove grey or white hair from your head. 10 more of each may grow there instead!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

If scissors drop in front of you. Your lover is being unfaithful, it could be true
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Use the same pencil for revision and test. And with the correct answers you may be blessed
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Good luck from a passing bird's droppings? I can think of some rather better toppings!
(Photo: Jon Paget)

To avoid tempting fate many people still 'touch wood'. But in these modern times, first a test of the surface is good
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

When returning home for an item you forgot. Take a seat and count back from seven on the spot
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Spilling matches is apparently a very lucky sign. If a girl spills a whole box she'll be a bride in short time!
(Photo: Jon Paget)

If on a bridge you say goodbye to a friend. No more time with them will you spend!
(Photo: Patricia Bestwick)

Yet after all this the number 13 holds no fear for me. For the 13th Day's 13th Bard - we’re all here to see who it will be!
(Photo: Jon Paget)