So for those of you who came to see the show and still left confused - here is a brief synopsis of each scene, written by Darnay.
ACT ONE
Scene One - Introduction
Principals take to the stage. No furniture.
Scene Two – Paris, 1757
Silent scene, incidental music only. Rape and murder of Peasant 1. Murder of Male Peasant by Darnay's Father and Evremonde. Imprisonment of Dr Manette by Soldier 1 and Soldier 2. No furniture.
Scene Three – London, 18 years later
Mr Lorry, Lucie and Miss Pross introduce themselves. Setting the tone. No furniture.
Scene Four – Paris, a wine shop
Mr Lorry and Lucie go to get Dr Manette from Prison. Madame Defarge and Defarge wait in wine shop. Bench of many shows and barrels on stage right. Other shoemaker bench on backwards left for Dr Manette.
Scene Five – Paris to London, the journey home
Lucie and Mr Lorry take Dr Manette home, with Defarge and Madame Defarge commenting.
Scene Six – London, The Old Bailey, 5 years later
Stryver, Carton, Attorney General, Judge, Darnay in court in London. Chair for accused, bench and chair for lawyers, lectern for Judge. Lucie and Barsad enter as witnesses.
Scene Seven – London, a celebration
Courtroom removed. Lucie, Stryver and Darnay chatting and congratulating after trial with Carton upstage left. Servant delivers drinks to all. Dr Manette enters, Lucie, Dr Manette and Stryver exit, followed by Servant. Darnay and Carton discuss friendship and alcohol.
Scene Eight – Paris, Gaspard’s child
Slow Mo scene. Evremonde runs over kid, everyone distraught. Defarge and Madame Defarge tell Gaspard to kill Evremonde and Revolutionaries to prepare for the fight.
Scene Nine – London, Dr Manette’s house, Soho
Carton declares his love for Lucie. Mr Lorry, Dr Manette and Darnay discuss hand gestures at table while Miss Pross watches. Carton leaves followed by Lucie, Miss Pross and Mr Lorry discuss custard. Dr Manette and Darnay discuss how long scene is. Then rise and discuss Lucie. Dr Manetter leaves, Lucie comes back. Three chairs, small table, tray of drinks.
Scene Ten – Paris, the Nephew of the Marquis
Peasant 2 gets scared by Evremonde wanting to pull her hair out. She runs away. Gabelle comes on, followed by Darnay. They say hello. Gabelle leaves. Evremonde and Darnay discuss family and detestable people. Gabelle comes back, Darnay and Gabelle leave. Gaspard sneaks on drags Evremonde off for hot love.
Scene Eleven – London, The Wedding
Dr Manette and Darnay say time is up. Here’s the truth. Front stage left.
Scene Twelve – Paris and London, the Spy and the Shoemaker
Barsad has a drink with Madame Defarge and talks about Lucie's marriage. Mr Lorry and Dr Manette discuss the merits of shoemaking during a wedding. Back to Barsad and Defarge discussing Evremonde and Gaspard. Miss Pross comes on to discuss Lucie and Dr Manette with Mr Lorry. Back to Barsad, Defarge and Madame Defarge still nattering. Bar bench and barrels back on.
Scene Thirteen – London, the Recovery
Dr Manette has disappeared, but its breakfast time, so he’ll be back. Realises he drank too much and lost 10 days, some hangover.
Scene Fourteen – London, 1782 - 1789
Carton and Darnay become friends and call each other by their surnames. Carton leaves, Lucie comes on, Darnay and Lucie discuss Carton and the fact he’s a git. Darnay leaves. Miss Pross and Dr Manette come on, Lucie's up the duff, baby arrives. Miss Pross leaves. Mr Lorry comes on talking about how times have changed. Where’s the baby? Darnay comes back on. Everybody leaves.
Defarge, Madame Defarge and the Revolutionaries have arrived on the other side. They shout and scream and storm Titanic with guns and flags.
End of Act One.
ACT TWO
Scene One – Paris, 1789
Defarge, Madame Defarge and Revolutionaries still storming Titanic, taking their time about it. Eventually they find what they are looking for, Defarge climbs up gets paper they all leave.
Scene Two – Gabelle’s Letter
Darney enters with chair. Sits down, reads letter. Gabelle comes on with Revolutionary 1 and Revolutionary 2, gets chucked about and booted. Darnay continues reading letter. Lucie comes on, Darnay and Lucie discuss a holiday, Lucie says she doesn’t like flying. She leaves. Darnay decides to go on his own. He leaves, Gabelle speaks, Darnay watches. Everyone leaves.
Scene Three – Paris, Place du Carrousel
Mr Lorry, Miss Pross, Lucie and Dr Manette have all gone to France. They discuss Darnay's holiday. Defarge comes on, followed by Darnay, Revolutionary 3 and Revolutionary 4. Defarge tells Revolutionaries to go. Defarge tells Darnay about his mum, the guillotine. Defarge pushes Darnay off.
Scene Four – Paris, La Guillotine
Executioner climbs up to Guillotine, Defarge and Madame Defarge watch with the revolutionaries and they all kill 22 people to nice dance music.
Scene Five – Paris, Madame Defarge pays a visit
Madame Defarge tries to go and see Lucie, but Miss Pross says she’s out. Eventually Lucie arrives and she and Madame Defarge talk about Darnay and his French letter. Madame Defarge leaves, Lucie and Miss Pross discuss Madame Defarge.
Scene Six – Paris, The First Trial
Dr Manette and Darnay sit on bench surrounded by Revolutionary 1and Revolutionary 4, with revolutionaries watching. French Prosecutor says Darnay is foreign, Darnay says sod off. Dr Manette backs him up. The revolutionaries say Ho!!!! Lucie comes on followed by Miss Pross. Revolutionary 1 and Revolutionary 3 come back and drag Darnay off. Lucie screams and faints.
Scene Seven – Paris, an Encounter
Barsad is followed by Carton. They talk about Barsad being a git. Barsad agrees.
Scene Eight – Paris, a Hand at Cards
Mr Lorry joins Carton and Barsad, Mr Lorry agrees Barsad is a git. They decide he should help. Barsad leaves. Carton says he’s going away, Mr Lorry says don’t leave me. Mr Lorry leaves. Carton leaves.
Scene Nine – Paris, the Second Trial
Madame Defarge, Defarge, French Prosecutor stand at the front, Dr Manette, Lucie and Mr Lorry sit down on bench and chair with Carton behind them. Revolutionary 1 and Revolutionary 3 stop Darnay from going to the bar. Revolutionaries all watch. French Prosecutor says Darnay is a git. Defarge says Dr Manette said Evremonde was a git. Madame Defarge says everyone is a git. French Prosecutor agrees with some of it and says Darnay should get a haircut. French Prosecutor, Defarge and the revolutionaries leave. Madame Defarge says she hurt her finger, she leaves. Darnay says I’m going away, Luice cries, Dr Manette cries, Carton says yes!!!! Revolutionary 3 and Revolutionary 1 take Darnay away. Lucie knackers her knees and Dr Manette carries her off. Mr Lorry is upset, but Carton consoles him. Mr Lorry leaves. Barsad comes on, Carton and Barsad leave together.
Scene Ten – Paris, the Conciergerie
Carton and Barsad come on, Barsad says you do it alone. Darnay sees Carton, Seamstress is asleep. Carton and Darnay talk about drugs and erotic literature. They change clothes. Carton drugs Darnay, Barsad and Revolutionary 2 take Darnay off to the bar. Revolutionary 2 say its time. Carton and Seamstress get a headache.
Scene Eleven – Paris, the Duel
Madame Defrage visits Lucie, Miss Pross says she’s out. Madame Defarge gets upset, Miss Pross says look you’re French, I’m English, means I win. Madame Defarge dies from the shame of being French.
Scene Twelve – Paris, Redemption
Executioner stands with big knife, Revolutionary 2 brings on Carton and Seamstress. Carton and Seamstress snog, Seamstress says goodnight, loses head. Carton says he’s never done anything like this before, but its good. Carton has subtle lighting.
End of Act Two.
Monday 14 April 2008
I just have to accept it's over....
I thought that if I didn't do my last blog it would mean it's not all over. But that doesn't seem to have worked, there's a new Director on the block and a new Producer and pretty soon a whole new cast too and the cycle starts all over again - although I don't know if there's someone to blog for them....
We ended our run on a massive high. The Friday night before curry was wonderful and we had our lovely Director in the audience who got the clap just after we did, which I think he was quite pleased about actually. On the Friday night of the show it is tradition that we all go for a curry and this show was no different! Now, some background information here will explain a few things to some of the cast who may not know where the song of the show came from.
During the day on the Friday of the show, Director Guillotine gave blood (my hero) and I worked from home. We had lunch together and put the TV on while we sat and ate. During which time "The Magicians" film was on. Now for those of you that haven't seen this film, it's a very funny British comedy with Mitchell and Webb in and also features a couple of scenes where the magicians assistant does a rather funny dance to "Gay Bar" which is by Electric Six - I think. So a discussion followed that instead of having the deeply moving and intense song by Kate Bush and instead of taking Darnay to have his head cut off, we could put "Gay Bar" in it's place. So the French Prosecutor, instead of saying "I pronounce this sentence, death, in four and twenty hours", would say "I pronounce this sentence, we're gonna take you to a gay bar, gay bar, gay bar!". Obviously, much hilarity followed with us relaying this throughout the curry evening to the rest of the cast, who thought it would be hilarious also. Evremonde went outside for a ciggy and could hear us all singing it through the windows of the curry house.
Saturday arrives (with no lie-in as Saturday is football day, although well worth it for a 6-0 victory!) and Director Guillotine and I spend a small fortune of crew gifts then went to Lucie and Defarge's house for some tea and to drop our stuff off as we were staying the night with them. The show is fabulous, the cast, magnificent and French peasant teaches us how to say "hello spider" in French (although I can't remember what it is now). Gifts are given out, including some beautiful flowers for me that I wasn't expecting! And Defarge and Lucie give out gifts to the cast - which was extremely thoughtful of them.
Aftershow party was held at Dr Manette's house (I do feel sorry for his neighbours) and went on to the wee small hours although Director Guillotine, Lucie, Defarge and I were quite lame and sloped off at about 2am.
Sunday set strike (with snow!!!), the usual suspects were missing, which is a shame because although it's a bit crappy and although no-one ever wants to be there to tidy the hall and take the set down, we do all go for Sunday lunch at the pub and it's a nice way to unwind after the show and would have been great for everyone to have been there.
All in all a very successful show, in terms of profits - we made £875! - in terms of audience appreciation - so many people said it's the best thing we've ever done - and in terms of cast morale - you just have to ask what the downer was like!
I have to, just one more time, say how proud I am to have produced this show, how proud I am of the cast and crew who did such a magnificent job and how proud I am of Director Guillotine.
To you all I say: Look what we did!
We ended our run on a massive high. The Friday night before curry was wonderful and we had our lovely Director in the audience who got the clap just after we did, which I think he was quite pleased about actually. On the Friday night of the show it is tradition that we all go for a curry and this show was no different! Now, some background information here will explain a few things to some of the cast who may not know where the song of the show came from.
During the day on the Friday of the show, Director Guillotine gave blood (my hero) and I worked from home. We had lunch together and put the TV on while we sat and ate. During which time "The Magicians" film was on. Now for those of you that haven't seen this film, it's a very funny British comedy with Mitchell and Webb in and also features a couple of scenes where the magicians assistant does a rather funny dance to "Gay Bar" which is by Electric Six - I think. So a discussion followed that instead of having the deeply moving and intense song by Kate Bush and instead of taking Darnay to have his head cut off, we could put "Gay Bar" in it's place. So the French Prosecutor, instead of saying "I pronounce this sentence, death, in four and twenty hours", would say "I pronounce this sentence, we're gonna take you to a gay bar, gay bar, gay bar!". Obviously, much hilarity followed with us relaying this throughout the curry evening to the rest of the cast, who thought it would be hilarious also. Evremonde went outside for a ciggy and could hear us all singing it through the windows of the curry house.
Saturday arrives (with no lie-in as Saturday is football day, although well worth it for a 6-0 victory!) and Director Guillotine and I spend a small fortune of crew gifts then went to Lucie and Defarge's house for some tea and to drop our stuff off as we were staying the night with them. The show is fabulous, the cast, magnificent and French peasant teaches us how to say "hello spider" in French (although I can't remember what it is now). Gifts are given out, including some beautiful flowers for me that I wasn't expecting! And Defarge and Lucie give out gifts to the cast - which was extremely thoughtful of them.
Aftershow party was held at Dr Manette's house (I do feel sorry for his neighbours) and went on to the wee small hours although Director Guillotine, Lucie, Defarge and I were quite lame and sloped off at about 2am.
Sunday set strike (with snow!!!), the usual suspects were missing, which is a shame because although it's a bit crappy and although no-one ever wants to be there to tidy the hall and take the set down, we do all go for Sunday lunch at the pub and it's a nice way to unwind after the show and would have been great for everyone to have been there.
All in all a very successful show, in terms of profits - we made £875! - in terms of audience appreciation - so many people said it's the best thing we've ever done - and in terms of cast morale - you just have to ask what the downer was like!
I have to, just one more time, say how proud I am to have produced this show, how proud I am of the cast and crew who did such a magnificent job and how proud I am of Director Guillotine.
To you all I say: Look what we did!
Friday 4 April 2008
Halfway House
Sometime Thursdays have a little curse on them. I don't know what it is but Thursdays shows sometimes are a little bit flat. The Thursday gremlin was lurking around in the first act, picking on a couple of people but we managed to jump on it and squash it's head flat by the end of the first act, making people jump out of their seats!
Last night I had a crowd in (who made themselves known at the end) and we had people who came on Wednesday night and enjoyed it so much they came back again last night - sure testament that we're doing something right! The feedback from my lot was very positive, which is great.
I stood in the wings for some of the show last night, I watched Director Guillotine lose it a bit during Lucie's scene (you know the one), I watched him also go a bit during the Seamstress' bit (so did Barsad apparently). I listened to Mr Lorry after Lucie's bit and amazed at the level of emotion he gets in his voice, you have surpassed yourself, Mr Lorry, Prompt was quite right all those weeks ago when she said it. It just keeps getting better.
Director Guillotine is watching the show tonight. He is a paying punter. He will cry, bless him. He has poured his heart and soul into this show and I know how proud of us all he is. I'm super proud of him too, I think we all are....
Last night I had a crowd in (who made themselves known at the end) and we had people who came on Wednesday night and enjoyed it so much they came back again last night - sure testament that we're doing something right! The feedback from my lot was very positive, which is great.
I stood in the wings for some of the show last night, I watched Director Guillotine lose it a bit during Lucie's scene (you know the one), I watched him also go a bit during the Seamstress' bit (so did Barsad apparently). I listened to Mr Lorry after Lucie's bit and amazed at the level of emotion he gets in his voice, you have surpassed yourself, Mr Lorry, Prompt was quite right all those weeks ago when she said it. It just keeps getting better.
Director Guillotine is watching the show tonight. He is a paying punter. He will cry, bless him. He has poured his heart and soul into this show and I know how proud of us all he is. I'm super proud of him too, I think we all are....
Thursday 3 April 2008
Short and Sweet
We kick butt!!!! We scared the life out of most people when we stormed the Bastille (I didn't scream - because I can't), I remembered my knitting, everyone cried because of Lucie, it was ace.
Spare a thought today for Miss Pross. This is her third week of performances! I hope you have a lovely long lie-in today!
Cast and crew should be very, very proud, both Director Guillotine and I are over the moon. I'm not sure what we'll do next week when it's all over....
Spare a thought today for Miss Pross. This is her third week of performances! I hope you have a lovely long lie-in today!
Cast and crew should be very, very proud, both Director Guillotine and I are over the moon. I'm not sure what we'll do next week when it's all over....
Wednesday 2 April 2008
Only Aight People Night
Our OAP nights used to be huge. Heaving at the seams. Unfortunately, we seem to have had the groups diminish over time (Chairman's alter ego has been at them again) and also maybe the groups aren't as well supported or attended as they once were. Perhaps it's an indicator that we're all living more active lives for longer and don't end up in homes so much? Well perhaps it's time we had a change. Darnay came up with a great idea. Perhaps we have this night as a free performance for the Cast Academy kids and maybe combine it with a free performance for schools night? We entrust you Darnay to discuss it at committee.
What also annoyed Director Guillotine (and Secretary and me) was that another mini bus load of oldies were due to come and at the last minute decided not to as it was too cold and windy, okay, these people are old and feel the cold more. But the annoying part of it was, they didn't bother to tell us! We had to call them and even when asked if they were going to call us and let us know they said no! It's just rude! Why don't people have any manners any more? We do this to provide a night out for the oldies, free of charge. We give them tea, coffee biscuits and we also do a raffle for them as well. Is there no sense of community any more?
Anyway, the troopers that we are, we gave them a sterling performance, regardless of the fact there were so few of them and they may not all have been fully "compus mentis". There were a couple things that I noticed - Darnay managed to knock a tray of cups over back stage during a scene where Lucie, Miss Pross and I were on stage, except we were the only ones to hear it?!? I'm telling you, it was loud and when we were trying to discover who the culprit was, everyone was looking at us as if we were mental (I mean more mental than usual). I forgot my knitting in one of my scenes, Director Guillotine hadn't noticed and I would have gotten away with it too if it hadn't been for that pesky Sound Man!!!!
After the show we were having a discussion in the bar and Evremonde was explaining that during the show the boys have little quizzes. He then proceeded to tell me a little known fact that had the potential to keep me up all night, but I was just too tired.... I will look out some quiz books for them to go through during the rest of the run, although I didn't get a chance to get one for tonight's show I'm afraid - sorry boys.
Sound Man was complaining that I don't mention him enough in my blog, so here you go, two mentions in today's one - actually I must say that Sound Man and his lovely lady have been such a help to us for this show - it is very much appreciated believe me!
Lucie gave me some vocalzone throat pastilles, which I have been taking sporadically throughout the day. My voice did come back a little bit a while ago which was a complete relief then I sneezed and it went again! I am praying for more voice for tonight as we have one or two more than last night....
What also annoyed Director Guillotine (and Secretary and me) was that another mini bus load of oldies were due to come and at the last minute decided not to as it was too cold and windy, okay, these people are old and feel the cold more. But the annoying part of it was, they didn't bother to tell us! We had to call them and even when asked if they were going to call us and let us know they said no! It's just rude! Why don't people have any manners any more? We do this to provide a night out for the oldies, free of charge. We give them tea, coffee biscuits and we also do a raffle for them as well. Is there no sense of community any more?
Anyway, the troopers that we are, we gave them a sterling performance, regardless of the fact there were so few of them and they may not all have been fully "compus mentis". There were a couple things that I noticed - Darnay managed to knock a tray of cups over back stage during a scene where Lucie, Miss Pross and I were on stage, except we were the only ones to hear it?!? I'm telling you, it was loud and when we were trying to discover who the culprit was, everyone was looking at us as if we were mental (I mean more mental than usual). I forgot my knitting in one of my scenes, Director Guillotine hadn't noticed and I would have gotten away with it too if it hadn't been for that pesky Sound Man!!!!
After the show we were having a discussion in the bar and Evremonde was explaining that during the show the boys have little quizzes. He then proceeded to tell me a little known fact that had the potential to keep me up all night, but I was just too tired.... I will look out some quiz books for them to go through during the rest of the run, although I didn't get a chance to get one for tonight's show I'm afraid - sorry boys.
Sound Man was complaining that I don't mention him enough in my blog, so here you go, two mentions in today's one - actually I must say that Sound Man and his lovely lady have been such a help to us for this show - it is very much appreciated believe me!
Lucie gave me some vocalzone throat pastilles, which I have been taking sporadically throughout the day. My voice did come back a little bit a while ago which was a complete relief then I sneezed and it went again! I am praying for more voice for tonight as we have one or two more than last night....
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Throat Bastilles
I yelled too loudly last night when we stormed the Bastille and now I have lost my voice. Director Guillotine has told me to shut up, in the nicest possible way of course, but has promised me a glass of port later (purely for medicinal purposes obviously).
Well, how did last night go - I hear you cry. Marvelously is the answer. Our audience were thrilled with it, Lucie made Box Office cry and I think the whole cast felt just how wonderful it really was.
Tonight we have our OAP night. As we are a non profit making organisation we always do our first show for the local oldies, however this group is dwindling somewhat and Secretary emailed me today to say that one group isn't coming because they go to bed at around 8pm! It used to be that the OAP night was the one night we would be heaving to capacity but it looks like you can't even give it away these days. Oh well, they do have a habit of talking through the whole show anyway and they do seem to think that every show is a pantomime - I wonder if Evremonde will get booed!?!
I have to close by saying that I am so proud of this show, of what Director Guillotine has brought out in all of us. Yes, I honestly believe that this cast is one of the most talented I have ever worked with, but I also believe this show would not be as great as it is without the vision, passion and amazing direction we have had from the start. Now, I am biased. I can't help that. And I don't apologise for it either. It has been an amazing journey, one which we have been ahead of the game from the start, again, I think this is down to the cast wanting to make sure Director Guillotine is rewarded for his faith in us and we have pushed ourselves to excel and haven't we just done that?
I sent an email to the cast yesterday, I added a note to the end of it to say how proud I was of them all and how delighted I was to have my name as Producer for this show and while I was typing it I welled up a bit - I do cry at the drop of a hat it's true, but this show has moved me and continues to do so. Let's hope we move our audiences too....
Well, how did last night go - I hear you cry. Marvelously is the answer. Our audience were thrilled with it, Lucie made Box Office cry and I think the whole cast felt just how wonderful it really was.
Tonight we have our OAP night. As we are a non profit making organisation we always do our first show for the local oldies, however this group is dwindling somewhat and Secretary emailed me today to say that one group isn't coming because they go to bed at around 8pm! It used to be that the OAP night was the one night we would be heaving to capacity but it looks like you can't even give it away these days. Oh well, they do have a habit of talking through the whole show anyway and they do seem to think that every show is a pantomime - I wonder if Evremonde will get booed!?!
I have to close by saying that I am so proud of this show, of what Director Guillotine has brought out in all of us. Yes, I honestly believe that this cast is one of the most talented I have ever worked with, but I also believe this show would not be as great as it is without the vision, passion and amazing direction we have had from the start. Now, I am biased. I can't help that. And I don't apologise for it either. It has been an amazing journey, one which we have been ahead of the game from the start, again, I think this is down to the cast wanting to make sure Director Guillotine is rewarded for his faith in us and we have pushed ourselves to excel and haven't we just done that?
I sent an email to the cast yesterday, I added a note to the end of it to say how proud I was of them all and how delighted I was to have my name as Producer for this show and while I was typing it I welled up a bit - I do cry at the drop of a hat it's true, but this show has moved me and continues to do so. Let's hope we move our audiences too....
Monday 31 March 2008
Technically speaking
I think I'm now supposed to blog every day up to the end of the show, hmmm that may be a challenge...
I (once again) apologise for not blogging after Thursday's rehearsal, but I have been incredibly busy, not only with show things, I do have a life outside of this show you know! Okay admittedly not a very big life outside this show but a life nonetheless! Thursday's rehearsal was fabulous - as now expected from Cast and Crew! We were still missing Miss Pross as she was still off not being Miss Pross somewhere else, but apart from her and one of our peasants we had a full cast (this is a rarity, we have not had a full cast for ANY rehearsal). We did lose Lucie at 10pm as she had to go to work but we still managed to get a run through in, which is great.
Over the weekend, Director Guillotine and I were rather busy, on Friday we were at a wedding, Saturday we went to see Miss Pross moonlighting in another show and Sunday we spent the day at the hall. Final preparations to be made yesterday were made although I still have a list of things to manage/sort/source longer than I'd like.
The last Sunday before the show is normally the frantic one that seems to go on forever. We normally start at 10am (some arrive earlier than that) desperately try to finish painting, building, constructing and all the other things we hadn't managed to do in the previous days/weeks before the performance week and finish at some point before the sun comes up! Yesterday went a little differently;
Director Guillotine and I arrive at 10am to find Sound Man and Researcher already on the scene but with no keys to get in the hall. Director Guillotine and I thought that Gabelle was going to arrive an hour early to start getting on without anyone being around. Unfortunately he forgot that the clocks went forward on Saturday night and arrived at 10am, instead of his planned 9am (just as well he'd planned to come early eh?!)
We get into the hall and start work, there is a problem with the lighting desk - mild panic ensues - which Gabelle solves (I knew you would).
I painted guns. The guns were going to be brown and Evremonde assured me that if I just bunged a load of different coloured paint into a tray I would eventually get brown. I got purple. The guns are now black.
I hemmed gowns for Stryver and Carton. I took up Attorney General's gown as he kept stepping on it and I also took up Seamstress' dress to stop her falling up the stairs.
Tea lady kept me in tea, for which I am sure she will go to heaven!
The cast arrived for a 1.30pm run through which didn't actually start until 3pm as we were still missing lots of people at 1.30pm. We had to start without Miss Pross who was still sewing/recovering from her previous incarnation, Strypard was buying a kitchen and Barsad was working (but now has a week off, the lucky devil).
Dangerous watched for his scene changes, Attorney general delivered his lines from up a ladder fixing lights and Evremonde had a fully made up face (thank you make up mistress). Apart from a sticky guillotine, the run through went very well.
After this we decided to do the technical rehearsal in full costume again and everyone was dismissed to return after a trip to the pub/shop. A dinner party was held in the kitchen, I sewed, Miss Pross gathered material to make me a head scarf and got into her costume (which looks great).
Technical run through started at 7.15pm (a little after planned but way before we usually do it) and we were finished by 10pm! We think this may be a record! Lights, sound and actors are now primed and ready.
Tonight is technically a dress rehearsal, however Chairman, Secretary, F&B Supervisor and another helper can't make any of the performances so they are paying to come and see the dress rehearsal. So tonight is a performance, like any other one this week. And off we go....
I (once again) apologise for not blogging after Thursday's rehearsal, but I have been incredibly busy, not only with show things, I do have a life outside of this show you know! Okay admittedly not a very big life outside this show but a life nonetheless! Thursday's rehearsal was fabulous - as now expected from Cast and Crew! We were still missing Miss Pross as she was still off not being Miss Pross somewhere else, but apart from her and one of our peasants we had a full cast (this is a rarity, we have not had a full cast for ANY rehearsal). We did lose Lucie at 10pm as she had to go to work but we still managed to get a run through in, which is great.
Over the weekend, Director Guillotine and I were rather busy, on Friday we were at a wedding, Saturday we went to see Miss Pross moonlighting in another show and Sunday we spent the day at the hall. Final preparations to be made yesterday were made although I still have a list of things to manage/sort/source longer than I'd like.
The last Sunday before the show is normally the frantic one that seems to go on forever. We normally start at 10am (some arrive earlier than that) desperately try to finish painting, building, constructing and all the other things we hadn't managed to do in the previous days/weeks before the performance week and finish at some point before the sun comes up! Yesterday went a little differently;
Director Guillotine and I arrive at 10am to find Sound Man and Researcher already on the scene but with no keys to get in the hall. Director Guillotine and I thought that Gabelle was going to arrive an hour early to start getting on without anyone being around. Unfortunately he forgot that the clocks went forward on Saturday night and arrived at 10am, instead of his planned 9am (just as well he'd planned to come early eh?!)
We get into the hall and start work, there is a problem with the lighting desk - mild panic ensues - which Gabelle solves (I knew you would).
I painted guns. The guns were going to be brown and Evremonde assured me that if I just bunged a load of different coloured paint into a tray I would eventually get brown. I got purple. The guns are now black.
I hemmed gowns for Stryver and Carton. I took up Attorney General's gown as he kept stepping on it and I also took up Seamstress' dress to stop her falling up the stairs.
Tea lady kept me in tea, for which I am sure she will go to heaven!
The cast arrived for a 1.30pm run through which didn't actually start until 3pm as we were still missing lots of people at 1.30pm. We had to start without Miss Pross who was still sewing/recovering from her previous incarnation, Strypard was buying a kitchen and Barsad was working (but now has a week off, the lucky devil).
Dangerous watched for his scene changes, Attorney general delivered his lines from up a ladder fixing lights and Evremonde had a fully made up face (thank you make up mistress). Apart from a sticky guillotine, the run through went very well.
After this we decided to do the technical rehearsal in full costume again and everyone was dismissed to return after a trip to the pub/shop. A dinner party was held in the kitchen, I sewed, Miss Pross gathered material to make me a head scarf and got into her costume (which looks great).
Technical run through started at 7.15pm (a little after planned but way before we usually do it) and we were finished by 10pm! We think this may be a record! Lights, sound and actors are now primed and ready.
Tonight is technically a dress rehearsal, however Chairman, Secretary, F&B Supervisor and another helper can't make any of the performances so they are paying to come and see the dress rehearsal. So tonight is a performance, like any other one this week. And off we go....
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