Week Commencing 10th October 2008

Week Commencing 10th October 2008

This has been a tiring week. We’ve staggered through the play in two halves.

The scale of what we’ve taken on has just hit us! It’s a huge production. As more and more people arrived for the run though, together with the stage crew and the lighting technician I wondered where we’ll put them all when we get into the theatre. The idea of a queuing system to get on stage has gone from a jokey suggestion to an absolute necessity.

Those who missed the blocking have been slotted in and we all have some idea of the shape of the piece. Ray, who’s playing Bembo, has just come back to us having directed a play in Rotherham. He’s just written ‘follow Adam’ (Le Grue) as his only stage direction. Let’s hope Adam knows where they should both be.

The next stage of the production is to do detailed work on each scene, concentrating on characterisation and relationships. As production manager, I’ll be taking rehearsal props down from now on. Gradually the rehearsal props will be replaced by the real ones as they’re found or made. I’m currently working on the scourges for the flagellants. The clubs they also have are posing more of a problem. How can I get them to look right without causing concussion to those who have to be hit with them?

I’m meeting a friend this week to talk publicity and props. It’s time to tell the media what we’re doing and try to interest them in publishing some photos. Rather than use the ones we take at each rehearsal, we’ll have to pose these. We’ve got one legged tap dancers, blind jugglers and a randy nun so I’m sure we can think of something.

The director and I have met the wardrobe mistress. She’s done wonders getting things together. However, she’s still sourcing things to hire and there’s a long list of things to make. She and I are getting together to decide finally what’s props and what’s costumes.

This week it’s more detailed work. I’d better get learning the leper role and looking out some bandages.