Our journey begins, nearly 4 months ago on a cold and rainy October night when a group of hopeful thespians walked into Abingdon Drama Club in the hope of being cast for the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland. The audition began with games, readings and singing. The Director and casting committee sitting watching your every move. In groups and individual performances the young (and old) hopefuls paraded around all hoping for a part in the Panto.
Off to the pub, a usual haunt, they go while their fate is decided by those in the know. A few hours later the Director and committee emerge happy with the decisions that they made. The eager young (and old) hopefuls wait to hear what part's they have been given. A tense and exciting time as we all ooo and arrrr about the roles that were given. One young(ish) hopeful ready to hear that this time she was not successful only to be told that she had been given the part of the Cricket. Surprised and very pleased that she would get to perform on stage again, the young(ish) and now no longer a hopeful but a cast member waited for the first reading of the production.
Rehearsals start and the ever conscious Director hand everyone a pack with their song lyrics, words and CD. The young(ish) cast member had never been treated to such luxary. It was usual to get a script but one that was put together so thoughtfully showed a real effort had gone into the whole production. She could imagine hours of work and dedication to put things in place.
Rehearsals move on and the young(ish) cast member is told some bad news. The Rastapilla who was going to be played by someone else can't do it. They are going to re-cast it. Heck, she thinks. Trying to stay positive although bricking it inside, a new cast member appears on the scene.
Rehearsals continue and move at a slow pace. Not being required for all of them which leaves time for the "learning of lines". Another problem occurs. Jack. One of the star's of the show, we don't have one. The Director asks for people to have a think if they know anyone. He is found and a new member comes to the fold.
Now the Rehearsing is going well and Dance moves are put into the mix. Every rehearsals sees laughter and the bonding of it's cast. People who have never met before in their life, people who have been estranged for one reason or another and people who only see each other at the last production.
The weeks roll by the bonds become stronger and then disaster strikes again. One beloved cast member falls and breaks his leg. Sympathy and empathy ripples over the cast members but there is a hero in the wings who with only a month to learn lines steps into the breach. Huzzah.
Rehearsals intensify, dance moves become complicated and then symplified and then changed completely and the stress begins to show. The young(ish) cast member practices day and night to get the dance moves right so she doesn't look like a fool. Not reading anything accept song words and scripts, trying to stay on top of her game as this isn't coming easy. With the negativity setting in thick and fast all she wants to do it get on the stage and prove to herself that she can do it.
They finally move into the Theatre with a few days to sort out the technical side of things and some dress rehearsals. Issues with make-up and logistics start to come to a head and are dealt with.
The young(ish) cast member starts to feel at ease with her ability and with the people around her. Defenses start to come down and she starts to enjoy it. Happy with those on stage and off and knowing that she is backed up if it should all go horribly wrong, the young(ish) cast member feels blessed to be with such fine people.
The young(ish) cast member makes everyone a little card as a memento for them being involved in the production. Realising that the end is near and that first night is fast approaching the nerves start to churn.
Final dress rehearsal and The Director has something to say. Some of the numbers are too long. The Director has chopped them down. This means the dance's change as well. They are shown. They watch. They do. A few grumbles here and there but they all trust in their Director. It's her vision. Her script. Her production. They are merely the pawns.
First night. Nerves run high. It would seem that the audience aren't very responsive while the cast members sit in the back green room and listen. A few laughs here and then. The Cricket contains her nerves as best she can. Not knowing if there is anyone out in the theatre that she might know. She gets in position to take to the stage. She enters. They laugh. The audience are actually laughing. There's a mishap with the bubbles, she couldn't get them to blow out on cue but the audience still laugh. Then the narrator forgets to come in, even though she has the script in front of her. Rastapilla to the rescue.
What a night. The high is electric.
Too be continued.
No comments:
Post a Comment