Finally, I can sit back and relax! Our last performance of Laura Wade's play, Colder Than Here, took place on Saturday, and most of the following day was spend relaxing - no lines to learn, no script to pore over, no rehearsals to get to...
If I'm honest, I was a little bored!
After a rocky start for this production (which was almost pulled completely) it was great to see the fruits of our labour finally pay off. We had a great review in the Leamington Courier (even if they couldn't decide whether my name is Staton or Stanton!) http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/ColderThanHere, which I think summed up how we all perceived this play - even if it had taken us a while to reach this conclusion!
I have to admit, I am surprised
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
'Colder Than Here' - Opening Night!
Finally opening night descended upon us. As we sat behind stage, trying desperately not to clock-watch (well I was, anyway!) thoughts such as "will we get an audience?", "will they like it?", "will any of them walk out during the interval?" were discussed
As it turns out, our worries were unfounded. We had a great turn out for our first performance, and the audience seemed to get really involved in the play - laughing in the right (and even sometimes the wrong) places, shocked gasps at the use of some of the more extreme expletives (yes, my character's), and sniffles during the more poignant scenes.
Technically things went OK, other than a few hiccups with the set-changes - these were done by the cast members in low lighting between each scene - having to remember the sequence on top of what scene is next, all your lines, and trying to get round to the front for your next entrance is no mean feat believe me! The only real problem we had was that the projector overheated and turned off during the penultimate scene, which was a shame, but thankfully the projection wasn't crucial at this stage. Had this happened during Myra's presentation scene then we would have been in trouble! This technical malfunction, although possibly due to first-night nerves, was probably due to the weather being warmer than of late, the projector itself being situated in the hottest part of the stage, and of course the fact there were audience members there for the first time that were adding to the heat.
Two of the cast members managed to work through coughing fits on stage, Myra was one, I believe during one of the more sensitive scenes with Alec. Mine was the other, caused by the most fashionable of things, choking on a Fry's chocolate bar (you know, as you do!)
As it turns out, our worries were unfounded. We had a great turn out for our first performance, and the audience seemed to get really involved in the play - laughing in the right (and even sometimes the wrong) places, shocked gasps at the use of some of the more extreme expletives (yes, my character's), and sniffles during the more poignant scenes.
Technically things went OK, other than a few hiccups with the set-changes - these were done by the cast members in low lighting between each scene - having to remember the sequence on top of what scene is next, all your lines, and trying to get round to the front for your next entrance is no mean feat believe me! The only real problem we had was that the projector overheated and turned off during the penultimate scene, which was a shame, but thankfully the projection wasn't crucial at this stage. Had this happened during Myra's presentation scene then we would have been in trouble! This technical malfunction, although possibly due to first-night nerves, was probably due to the weather being warmer than of late, the projector itself being situated in the hottest part of the stage, and of course the fact there were audience members there for the first time that were adding to the heat.
Two of the cast members managed to work through coughing fits on stage, Myra was one, I believe during one of the more sensitive scenes with Alec. Mine was the other, caused by the most fashionable of things, choking on a Fry's chocolate bar (you know, as you do!)
So, other than a few minor glitches, and the attempted manslaughter by a Peppermint Cream, the first night of Colder Than Here went really well. The only criticism we had (and if you read this, you know who you are!) was that there wasn't a funeral at the end... there's no pleasing some people, is there!?
2 more to go!
ST!
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Bad Dress Rehearsal, Good Opening Night...?
Both our technical and dress rehearsals are now out of the way, and with only a few short days to go before our opening night on Thursday, things are now getting to the stage (no pun intended) where the nightmares usually start and I begin to panic!
I'm not sure if there's any truth to the old saying "Bad dress rehearsal, good opening night" - I guess that, if it is, we might be in for a rocky start as both the tech and dress have run relatively smoothly! For myself personally, after Sunday, I was just glad of a relatively sneeze/snot free rehearsal, with the use of tissues solely reserved for scripted purposes - thank goodness for antihistamines.
As for the rest of the cast...
Stealth photography aside, you can see that it's all a mad panic of line reviewing, clothes changes, acquiring props and rushing about...
No really, it is!
ST
As for the rest of the cast...
Stealth photography aside, you can see that it's all a mad panic of line reviewing, clothes changes, acquiring props and rushing about...
No really, it is!
ST
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Coffin dodger...? Not me!
Some of you may notice a slightly worrying trend of pictures of me in a coffin, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine, it's actually because it's less than a week to go until the opening night of Colder Than Here, a play by Laura Wade. Rehearsals are in full swing, we've finally got a workable set, and I am getting quite scarily used to popping in and out of the cardboard "green burial" coffin on stage.
As you can see, I am grinning in this picture, and yes, I've had a few comments saying that I am more than a little morbid for doing so! Maybe it's because it's not my coffin, maybe
As you can see, I am grinning in this picture, and yes, I've had a few comments saying that I am more than a little morbid for doing so! Maybe it's because it's not my coffin, maybe
Friday, 1 March 2013
Colder Than Here by Laura Wade
After rather a shaky start, I find myself back in rehearsal mode for a play that has caused some divided opinions within my local drama group.
On the face of it Laura Wade's play, Colder Than Here, is a modern day piece (set in 2005) about a dysfunctional family of four struggling to find common ground and ways to communicate with each other.
We have two sisters, Harriet and Jenna, as
On the face of it Laura Wade's play, Colder Than Here, is a modern day piece (set in 2005) about a dysfunctional family of four struggling to find common ground and ways to communicate with each other.
We have two sisters, Harriet and Jenna, as
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