Directors Notes Issue 7

I’m guessing that last night’s rehearsal was the fist all female one since “Top Girls” in 2002. I can only imagine what the rehearsals for that play must have been like, given some of the conversation that went on in the interval and the pub afterwards. Let’s just say that I now know more about the mechanics of breast pumps than I ever needed to.

Apart from that, the rehearsal was great fun. With the absence of the cynical male characters, we were able to try some warm games which worked quite well. Even if the cast did figure them out in about 30 seconds.

We’re doing a line call on Monday in Charles’s gaff at 7.30pm. Which reminds me. I must drop him a line and tell him. Nothing worse than putting your feet up to watch Coronation Street and 5 unexpected cast members turn up in search of a play.

We also had a tech meeting on Wednesday which went well. Team Rankin will be looking after the set, lighting, sound etc, We’re in very safe hands. We have 3 technical issues to address and our combined talents will be put to test in resolving these. The main one at present is our requirement for a coffin. If anyone has any bright ideas in this regard, they would be welcome. I thought you could knock one up in 30 minutes with some plywood and a lick of varnish. Which just shows you what I know! Lighting will also be a challenge with Roger making the brave suggestion that we blind the audience. We will have to arrange for them to sign waivers on the way in.

The only other news is that we’re off to Karaoke tonight for a bit of “Team Building”. Hopefully we can knock out a few Nat King Cole numbers, so it won’t come as such a shock to the cast when Nat is playing constantly in the background during the performance.