I think everyone had the Monday blues on Monday night as we were VERY thin on the ground!!! Obviously Lucie and Defarge are on their hols, Mr Lorry was called to a meeting so couldn't make it and Carton ran out of juice (well, not him, his car), we had a peasant missing, Barsad was working late and a revolutionary was absent so there were people standing in for others all over the place; which could have been very confusing had we not all been complete professionals. I thought perhaps we could have a video or a conference call and then we could have everyone doing their own parts, wherever they are.
We've had our first two tickets sold - well done to one of our revolutionaries - he will win a prize (although I'm not yet sure what that prize will consist of). I must just add (to prevent further outcries from Director Guillotine) that yes, I know you have reserved two tables Director Guillotine, and yes that is 16 tickets but you haven't paid for them and revolutionary has!!! So you can't have the prize.
My practise at throwing things has obviously helped as I hit Evremonde first time, although I must admit that he was quite close as Strypard (not Stryvard apparently) hadn't moved across quite far enough. However, in my mind, a hit is a hit - I'll keep practising.... On the subject of Stryvard, he has done exceedingly well and knows his words! Astounding work there, as his scene with Barsad is quite a tricky one - the two of them have worked hard on that and we can see it's paying off already. Well done to you both. Peasant Girl also did very well with her lines and with the flag bearing and twirling with Seamstress - looking good girls, great timing now.
Darnay was encouraged to "take Gabelle first" which I think I saw him do, although he did get away with not having to kiss him, even though it's the French thing to do and I wouldn't take it personally Gabelle.
Evremonde, despite his cries of outrage at the mickey taken out of his pencil case, showed me another addition to this little collection of art equipment, that I hadn't seen before. He has little pot with an eraser and a pencil sharpener inside (along with a few pencil shavings). Upon closer inspection, this pot came from Boots and once contained setting lotion. Evremonde explained that he had had this pot since 1981 - ah, bless! He had hair to put setting lotion on then....
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
We are family....
Ever noticed how work gets in the way of a social life? Well, at the moment work is getting in the way of a good blogging!!! This is why, readers, you have been deprived of an update on rehearsals and some of the other junk that's in my head.
You'll get a double helping today then - you lucky, lucky people....
Monday night we started with a costume call and yet again Wardrobe Mistress has come up trumps, having collected costumes for us all to try on and allocated different costumes to various members of the cast. All good stuff. To be this far ahead of ourselves is great, as it's not often that a show has had costume trying on so early in production!!!!
Monday night last week was also Lucie and Defarge's last rehearsal before they go off together (it's okay, Darnay and I are fine about it) for a fabulous trip to Oz (that's Australia, not the Oz where the wizard lives). We'll miss them and wish them a wonderful time, but ask them to be careful of sharks, spiders, snakes and munchkins...
Evremonde (and his amazing pencil case) told tales of freezing conditions in the men's room, I'm sure he was going outside to smoke (disgusting habit!!!!). I also need to practise throwing coins at him as at the moment I'm a lousy shot, I'll endeavour to throw coins at him every chance I get - and not enjoy it, of course.
The new Stryver/Gaspard (who has taken the name Stryvard) has joined the family and slotted in very well (we always knew he would actually, but it's still great to see) so well done Stryvard and thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to the show, it is truly appreciated by both Director Guillotine and myself.
Words continue to be learnt, Mr Lorry, Dr Manette, Seamstress and Carton have done well on this front and we continue to be ahead of schedule with line learning, blocking and running through - woo hoo!
Thursday night saw some flag flying (sorry, I know I'm not supposed to mention them again but I have to commend our flag bearers don't I?) with some great choreography to a fab piece of music to start off Act 1 Scene 2, which looks so good it sends shivers up my spine.
My knitting continues to grow. It's quite amazing really as I sit on stage knitting with imaginary needles and wool and the knitting grows - how cool is that? Magic!
On the downside, we have lost one of our newbies who is doing another show with a different group, but who will hopefully come and see our show and bring some of his other group with him!?! Bless him, Stryvard has stepped in to help us out with filling the spots missing due to losing the newbie - so thanks again for that.
I have to plan another Production meeting for Thursday, do an agenda for that, sort out the wine and tables, redo the budget and now I have had a chat with Chairman and Secretary I can start planning the programme, leaflets and posters, so no rest for the wicked eh? Hopefully I won't leave you so long next time but who can tell, as the devil makes work for light hands or something like that.....
You'll get a double helping today then - you lucky, lucky people....
Monday night we started with a costume call and yet again Wardrobe Mistress has come up trumps, having collected costumes for us all to try on and allocated different costumes to various members of the cast. All good stuff. To be this far ahead of ourselves is great, as it's not often that a show has had costume trying on so early in production!!!!
Monday night last week was also Lucie and Defarge's last rehearsal before they go off together (it's okay, Darnay and I are fine about it) for a fabulous trip to Oz (that's Australia, not the Oz where the wizard lives). We'll miss them and wish them a wonderful time, but ask them to be careful of sharks, spiders, snakes and munchkins...
Evremonde (and his amazing pencil case) told tales of freezing conditions in the men's room, I'm sure he was going outside to smoke (disgusting habit!!!!). I also need to practise throwing coins at him as at the moment I'm a lousy shot, I'll endeavour to throw coins at him every chance I get - and not enjoy it, of course.
The new Stryver/Gaspard (who has taken the name Stryvard) has joined the family and slotted in very well (we always knew he would actually, but it's still great to see) so well done Stryvard and thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to the show, it is truly appreciated by both Director Guillotine and myself.
Words continue to be learnt, Mr Lorry, Dr Manette, Seamstress and Carton have done well on this front and we continue to be ahead of schedule with line learning, blocking and running through - woo hoo!
Thursday night saw some flag flying (sorry, I know I'm not supposed to mention them again but I have to commend our flag bearers don't I?) with some great choreography to a fab piece of music to start off Act 1 Scene 2, which looks so good it sends shivers up my spine.
My knitting continues to grow. It's quite amazing really as I sit on stage knitting with imaginary needles and wool and the knitting grows - how cool is that? Magic!
On the downside, we have lost one of our newbies who is doing another show with a different group, but who will hopefully come and see our show and bring some of his other group with him!?! Bless him, Stryvard has stepped in to help us out with filling the spots missing due to losing the newbie - so thanks again for that.
I have to plan another Production meeting for Thursday, do an agenda for that, sort out the wine and tables, redo the budget and now I have had a chat with Chairman and Secretary I can start planning the programme, leaflets and posters, so no rest for the wicked eh? Hopefully I won't leave you so long next time but who can tell, as the devil makes work for light hands or something like that.....
Monday, 18 February 2008
Killing Me Softly with Jelly Babies
Miss Pross is bad. She brought Jelly Babies to rehearsal and I cannot resist their sweet jelly bodies.... mmmm jelly babies...... Oops, sparks flying as I was drooling on my 'puter thinking about the babies - must have more self control. Note to self - Resist! RESIST!!!
Thursday was a run through of Act 2. With music, as my ipod is now working again (hazah!) and with the Soldier a.k.a. Barsad. We played out a scene from The Life of Brian with more than one of us saying "stwike him vewy wuffly centurwian", although I do think there are a couple of people who haven't seen the film (where have you been?). We had a small issue with the crowd not cheering like a crowd and I'm sure that Seamstress pronounced the verdict Not Guilty when he was in fact guilty, guilty, GUILTY! Although she can be forgiven as she does know all her words (well done you!)!
Evremonde continues to say imigrant instead of emigrant (or perhaps that's just the way he talks) and now I know the difference I shall have a word later on tonight and I will also make sure he's taken his Joe Longthorne DVD home with him (that's a little bit scary isn't it?). Talking of scary, I frightened Lucie (which is good, trust me) although not like Noddy, who, let me tell you is pretty terrifying! Likewise, I was little disturbed by Carton who sat in the corner muttering to himself, either he was learning his lines or casting a spell, I couldn't say for definite which it was.
There seemed to be some general craziness in the air as several of the cast had a little boogie (yes boogie, not bogie, two very different things) despite having been told on numerous occasions, this show does not have dancing in it!. Mr Lorry denounced Kate Bush, which I thought was a little unfair and Evremonde decided that Darnay should be killed and so decided to draw different ways in which to despatch him. I have attached them to the bottom of this blog (if I can work out how to do it), I think I need to give him other things to do to keep him occupied...
Another good solid rehearsal, Director Guillotine was very pleased with us all and I really felt the love in the hall (especially as it was Valentines Day!) for all of us....
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Dyeing for your Art
Hi readers, back again after yet another Thursday off! I must say Sound man's kids did him proud last week - well done to all involved.
From a production perspective, we have had some great news in terms of sponsorship (woo hoo!), Sound man has agreed to help with the publicity (another help for me), Chairman and I are really close to setting some time aside to look at the programme and we have the food pretty much sorted, so tickets can now be sold. I might give a spot prize to the person who sells the first ticket through Box Office.
So, last night was the night to finish the blocking, all of it, the whole show. There are some really meaty scenes in the last bit of the second half, with something for us all to get our teeth into.
As always, we had a couple of challenges, Miss Pross was poorly sick - Get well MP! Our usual suspects with their late arrivals due to work, courses and other hold ups (not hold ups that go on your legs, mind, that wouldn't be a reasonable excuse). Carton expected to be late after a work thing but actually did really very well and arrived long before expected, pleasing Director Guillotine no end.
To enable Miss Pross to go home and tuck herself up in bed with a hot toddy (or a hot body), Director Guillotine went through her scene first as she only has one in the last section of the show. After running through that a couple of times, she was sent home to avoid passing along any of her disgusting germs to any of the other cast members.
The rest of the blocking went well and Director Guillotine is delighted, as always, with us all (a big pat on your backs, lovely cast). Barsad looks suitably scared (fantastic facial expressions) in his scene with Carton and Mr Lorry is great to watch. Defarge is learning to hug me (his wife) without crushing me, somehow CJ from Reggie Perrin made an appearance (in 1789?), I bruised my knees, Evremonde and I had quite a bizarre conversation without saying anything and Lucie made everyone cry, including herself.
Seamstress and I have shown our devotion to the show and to Director Guillotine by removing our usual hair colour and replacing it with more muted tones and to once and for all prove that brunettes have more fun. Oh, except for what happens to us both....
From a production perspective, we have had some great news in terms of sponsorship (woo hoo!), Sound man has agreed to help with the publicity (another help for me), Chairman and I are really close to setting some time aside to look at the programme and we have the food pretty much sorted, so tickets can now be sold. I might give a spot prize to the person who sells the first ticket through Box Office.
So, last night was the night to finish the blocking, all of it, the whole show. There are some really meaty scenes in the last bit of the second half, with something for us all to get our teeth into.
As always, we had a couple of challenges, Miss Pross was poorly sick - Get well MP! Our usual suspects with their late arrivals due to work, courses and other hold ups (not hold ups that go on your legs, mind, that wouldn't be a reasonable excuse). Carton expected to be late after a work thing but actually did really very well and arrived long before expected, pleasing Director Guillotine no end.
To enable Miss Pross to go home and tuck herself up in bed with a hot toddy (or a hot body), Director Guillotine went through her scene first as she only has one in the last section of the show. After running through that a couple of times, she was sent home to avoid passing along any of her disgusting germs to any of the other cast members.
The rest of the blocking went well and Director Guillotine is delighted, as always, with us all (a big pat on your backs, lovely cast). Barsad looks suitably scared (fantastic facial expressions) in his scene with Carton and Mr Lorry is great to watch. Defarge is learning to hug me (his wife) without crushing me, somehow CJ from Reggie Perrin made an appearance (in 1789?), I bruised my knees, Evremonde and I had quite a bizarre conversation without saying anything and Lucie made everyone cry, including herself.
Seamstress and I have shown our devotion to the show and to Director Guillotine by removing our usual hair colour and replacing it with more muted tones and to once and for all prove that brunettes have more fun. Oh, except for what happens to us both....
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Room at the Inn
No rehearsal last night as Sound man's kids are getting ready to do their thing this week, so in order to not waste the time, we planned to record the script to aid with line-learning (it really helps me, especially as I have rather a long journey to work a lot of the time, where I can listen to it on my ipod (which is now fixed, by the way)).
A local establishment very kindly lent us a meeting room for the evening (thank you very much Marriott) and the principals gathered with a recording device (thanks to Gabelle's Brother). We were missing some people who were helping out with the kids so the peeps that were there had to do a wide variety of voices including Miss Pross, Dr Manette and Gabelle. Mr Lorry was called to a meeting last minute and Barsad (pronounced Bar-Sad, not Bar-sard or B'sard) and Seamstress were unable to make it due to sickness, so listening to the CD should be quite funny!!!
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate were bought (Darnay had a beer) and some lovely cookies arrived along with them, although eating them whilst recording is not easy (eh Lucie, Carton?). Defarge and I shared ours (in the spirit of our marriage) and they didn't last too long at all!
We have Thursday off this week, due to the other show going on, so respite from me and my drivel for a week - Hey! Not so loud with the woo hoo's please!....
A local establishment very kindly lent us a meeting room for the evening (thank you very much Marriott) and the principals gathered with a recording device (thanks to Gabelle's Brother). We were missing some people who were helping out with the kids so the peeps that were there had to do a wide variety of voices including Miss Pross, Dr Manette and Gabelle. Mr Lorry was called to a meeting last minute and Barsad (pronounced Bar-Sad, not Bar-sard or B'sard) and Seamstress were unable to make it due to sickness, so listening to the CD should be quite funny!!!
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate were bought (Darnay had a beer) and some lovely cookies arrived along with them, although eating them whilst recording is not easy (eh Lucie, Carton?). Defarge and I shared ours (in the spirit of our marriage) and they didn't last too long at all!
We have Thursday off this week, due to the other show going on, so respite from me and my drivel for a week - Hey! Not so loud with the woo hoo's please!....
He's just a guy who can't say no...
I honestly meant to blog, it's just that I didn't have time on Friday and then the days just get away from me...
Anyway, to update...
Thursday, during the day, Wardrobe Mistress, Director Guillotine and I went to a couple of costume places. At the first one, we hit on a bit of luck as they have guns. Not real ones, ones made of wood and are in the vague shape of guns. That should satisfy those fw's I was talking about when I was on stage last week...
As you may know (or not if you didn't read the "All about Devils" series of blogs), there is a body of people who just want to spoil everyone's fun and they really get on my wick. They all work from home (as it's just too risky to go out) and they are making life increasingly more difficult when you want to put on a show (unless your show is about people who stay in one place the entire length of the show - and even then there's risk of DVT isn't there?). Anyway, we had some issues with them in the last show as we wanted to fire a starting pistol (that's right, a starting pistol, not even a gun that fired bullets) but we couldn't. It was a bit of a mare actually, but anyway, I'd better not get started on them, I may not be able to stop...
So we have guns. We also found some frock coats and a couple of dresses for Lucie all at very reasonable rates. At the second place we found a possible look for Mr Lorry (one I particularly liked) and some great wigs for our barristers. So well worth doing.
I also got to finish the flag that I was working on, yes I know I've been going on about them, but I am rather proud of them and they did take a rather long time - but okay I'll shut up about them now.
Thursday evening went quite well, unfortunately we were missing Barsad and Seamstress who were poorly sick, as was one of our Newbie peasants. We also discovered that the Second Revolutionary is actually an aristocrat in disguise, trying to hide from the guillotine, Mr Lorry cant say NO! and Evremonde can be persuaded into all sorts of things if you buy him a pint. I promise I won't say anything else about your pencil case...
Anyway, to update...
Thursday, during the day, Wardrobe Mistress, Director Guillotine and I went to a couple of costume places. At the first one, we hit on a bit of luck as they have guns. Not real ones, ones made of wood and are in the vague shape of guns. That should satisfy those fw's I was talking about when I was on stage last week...
As you may know (or not if you didn't read the "All about Devils" series of blogs), there is a body of people who just want to spoil everyone's fun and they really get on my wick. They all work from home (as it's just too risky to go out) and they are making life increasingly more difficult when you want to put on a show (unless your show is about people who stay in one place the entire length of the show - and even then there's risk of DVT isn't there?). Anyway, we had some issues with them in the last show as we wanted to fire a starting pistol (that's right, a starting pistol, not even a gun that fired bullets) but we couldn't. It was a bit of a mare actually, but anyway, I'd better not get started on them, I may not be able to stop...
So we have guns. We also found some frock coats and a couple of dresses for Lucie all at very reasonable rates. At the second place we found a possible look for Mr Lorry (one I particularly liked) and some great wigs for our barristers. So well worth doing.
I also got to finish the flag that I was working on, yes I know I've been going on about them, but I am rather proud of them and they did take a rather long time - but okay I'll shut up about them now.
Thursday evening went quite well, unfortunately we were missing Barsad and Seamstress who were poorly sick, as was one of our Newbie peasants. We also discovered that the Second Revolutionary is actually an aristocrat in disguise, trying to hide from the guillotine, Mr Lorry cant say NO! and Evremonde can be persuaded into all sorts of things if you buy him a pint. I promise I won't say anything else about your pencil case...
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