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
Showing posts with label Amateur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amateur. Show all posts
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
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
Monday, 23 May 2011
The Wedding Singer - 2nd Rehearsal
Well, I was a bit miffed on Friday to say the least that my dance-sneakers hadn’t arrived in time for my first dance rehearsal, but having pulled out a pair of character shoes that were around 15 years old, checked that they were still in usable condition and still fit (yes!) I packed them in my bag and headed off to rehearsal number 2.
The ‘Acting’
I had to get there a bit earlier than most of the cast, due to being one of the (eek) principal characters, although having said that I was conscious I was late having decided to have a last minute practice of the opening number in front of my mum’s piano. I signed in and went upstairs to be greeted by a few of the other cast members who had already started their scene rehearsal. Sitting down patiently to watch I cringed at the cheesiness of the lines, but thankfully the director’s vision made less of the cheese and more of the humour
Friday, 5 November 2010
Cinderfella - The Casting
With both readings scheduled well and truly out of the way, we are now beginning to deliberate casting - this is not the fun task that I envisaged it to be - in fact, it's bloody hard work.
Having been a member of CP for just over a year now, and seeing/being part of 2 plays and a panto already - I would say that I know a fair bit about what a some of the members are capable of, and somehow I think that this has gone against me. I'm trying hard not to typecast anyone, but then again, at the same time I do have to consider who has really shone in certain parts whilst reading - is it really my fault if they shine in the same type of roles they've done before? Luckily I've got my co-producer to ground me as she's only been with the group since the last performance which not everyone was involved in - I'm hoping that she'll stop me ignoring someone who should be given a chance in favour of someone else.
The other problem appears to be the lack of women. Everyone has said to me that CP has a problem with a lack of young men, but during the readings I noticed that a lot of the women there were not interested in a part, and even though some read extremely well I found we were unable to cast them. After much deliberation, we have decided to have a third reading on Monday for the as yet un-cast female parts - I don't mind this, however I don't want to come across as indecisive (which, unfortunately, I am!) but as my friend used to say "needs must when the devil sh**s in your boots".
Hopefully by next Wednesday, we'll have finalised the full cast (and not just the men!) but like any good woman, I have a back-up plan!
ST
Having been a member of CP for just over a year now, and seeing/being part of 2 plays and a panto already - I would say that I know a fair bit about what a some of the members are capable of, and somehow I think that this has gone against me. I'm trying hard not to typecast anyone, but then again, at the same time I do have to consider who has really shone in certain parts whilst reading - is it really my fault if they shine in the same type of roles they've done before? Luckily I've got my co-producer to ground me as she's only been with the group since the last performance which not everyone was involved in - I'm hoping that she'll stop me ignoring someone who should be given a chance in favour of someone else.
The other problem appears to be the lack of women. Everyone has said to me that CP has a problem with a lack of young men, but during the readings I noticed that a lot of the women there were not interested in a part, and even though some read extremely well I found we were unable to cast them. After much deliberation, we have decided to have a third reading on Monday for the as yet un-cast female parts - I don't mind this, however I don't want to come across as indecisive (which, unfortunately, I am!) but as my friend used to say "needs must when the devil sh**s in your boots".
Hopefully by next Wednesday, we'll have finalised the full cast (and not just the men!) but like any good woman, I have a back-up plan!
ST
Monday, 1 November 2010
The Panto that nobody wanted...
It took 3 people, and 4 'consultants' to write, it took 3 months and numerous re-writes to complete - yet no one wanted to produce it.
What am I referring to? My local amateur dramatics group's 2011 panto, Cinderfella, of course!
After numerous hints by our committee chairman for me to cajole someone else into producing the panto, it became apparent that no one wanted to take on the responsibility, and it was then that I began to feel a little sorry for it. Cinderfella had been lovingly prepared (excuse the flowery sentiment, but we are talking about a panto here) by a group of writers - one of whom had been responsible for last year's very successful outing, Robin Hood, and not one of them was willing, or able, to commit to producing Cinderfella. Everyone I turned to said variations on a theme of 'No', and with the umpteenth hint being thrown in my direction, it was at this point I took leave of my senses and agreed to do it myself.
Actually that isn't strictly true, I didn't agree to do it myself, I said I would agree to it on the condition that I had a co-producer, and no sooner were the words out of my mouth, when Ms. Chairman literally grabbed the person standing next to me, and said 'You'll help Fay produce the panto, won't you?'
Thankfully, the person standing between myself and the chairman was full of joyful optimism at the thought of doing the panto, and thus my partner in crime (or should that be producer in crime) was born, either way Donna shall henceforth be known as a god-send.
ST.
What am I referring to? My local amateur dramatics group's 2011 panto, Cinderfella, of course!
After numerous hints by our committee chairman for me to cajole someone else into producing the panto, it became apparent that no one wanted to take on the responsibility, and it was then that I began to feel a little sorry for it. Cinderfella had been lovingly prepared (excuse the flowery sentiment, but we are talking about a panto here) by a group of writers - one of whom had been responsible for last year's very successful outing, Robin Hood, and not one of them was willing, or able, to commit to producing Cinderfella. Everyone I turned to said variations on a theme of 'No', and with the umpteenth hint being thrown in my direction, it was at this point I took leave of my senses and agreed to do it myself.
Actually that isn't strictly true, I didn't agree to do it myself, I said I would agree to it on the condition that I had a co-producer, and no sooner were the words out of my mouth, when Ms. Chairman literally grabbed the person standing next to me, and said 'You'll help Fay produce the panto, won't you?'
Thankfully, the person standing between myself and the chairman was full of joyful optimism at the thought of doing the panto, and thus my partner in crime (or should that be producer in crime) was born, either way Donna shall henceforth be known as a god-send.
ST.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
'Keep Calm' - Opening Night
Luckily I have one of the smaller roles in 'Keep Calm', as this is technically my first production as an adult, or at least one that doesn't involve either custard pies or generally acting the fool. I play the part of Mary Grant - a not dissimilar character to Sybil Fawlty, who leaves her husband in charge of looking after the household and baby while she goes out for lunch.
Apart from the fretting and fidgeting before my exit, in contrast to my character when I do finally leave 'for lunch' I can quietly relax back stage while all hell breaks loose, and prepare for my emotional outburst at the end... it promises to be quite something.
ST
http://www.cubbingtonplayers.com/
14th, 15th & 16th October - Keep Calm (Louis Goodrich) & Babysitting Calvin (John H Newmeir)
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