Play Reading Evening Tonight!

One of the highlights of the LPP social calendar is Tonight. The Play Reading Evening is an LPP tradition, held in one of our members houses (thank you Jean and Garrett, again) it's a gathering of people who like a bit of ad hoc drama. We do short excerpts from several plays for each others entertainment. We don't learn the pieces, we Read them (hence play Reading evening) and utilise a few props, either brought along with forethought or grabbed from Jean's kitchen, and perhaps a hat or two. There is an interval to enable the audience and players (they're the same thing) to Refresh themselves and there is a Pot Luck Supper which is generally Very Lucky indeed - especially if you're at the end of the table with Maud's dropped scones. The pieces are chosen in advance by kind volunteers and distributed to the Players a few days in advance. So, if you're a member I hope you are signed up with Charles and are reviewing your script(s) to wow us all with your brilliance. I'm looking forward to it!

Voice and Accent Workshop

The workshop last Thursday was, by all accounts, wonderful. Lots was learnt and a good time was had by all. I've been supplied with photographs by Avril and Andrew. I'm not sure what is going on in most of them but if you were there you probably will know.

There was gargling (that's what it looks like anyway).












There were Chocolate Biscuits! I thought Chocolate was bad for the vocals? no?

There was pretending to be a train... or perhaps a trust exercise??

There's Avril... she's the one you can't see, behind Joseph who doesn't usually have red eyes or hold on to Craigs shoulders. Craig is obviously ticklish.

That's Helen Norton in Action...

There was reading...

Helen Norton in action again...

Cups of tea and coffee were had.

Look at Helen Norton's face in this shot... is that a comment on Charles' Dublin accent??

A Big Thank You to Helen Norton and to The Drama League of Ireland, and to Noeleen for organising the workshop. Round of Applause.

(p.s. These are the first photos on the blog! This is exciting for some of us. Apologies for the less than professional layout. Feel free to comment. (I'd love you to comment))

Juno notes 5

Next week's rehearsals:

Monday the 12th - Act One, plus:

• All Boyle and Joxer's two handers (Acts 1,2 & 3)
• Mary and Johnny's scene in Act Three
• Act Three, Scene one - Juno, Mary, voice of Boyle

Thursday the 15th - Acts Two and Three minus sections rehearsed on Monday.

Technical progress

While great work is being done by the cast during rehearsals the crew are also ploughing away and have come up with great ideas and solutions across a range of areas from sound, lighting, sourcing props, costume design, flyer and programme and of course the set design.

Avril, Andrew, Craig, Charles, Jean and Sarah Jane are all involved in this process and some great plans are being bedded down.

Someone told me recently that they read in a book for 'professional' theatre directors that if the show that finally goes up looks 60% like what you had in mind - it's a huge success. Those who know what a control freak I can be are allowed, if feeling brave, quote this at me when the inevitable wobbles set in at the end!!

To do:

All actors need to introduce themselves to Avril Wilson - Costumes Manager (and Mrs Tancred). She will work with you on sourcing your costume(s) and deciding on your colour and the item of clothing which will be in that colour. Also, Avril is the person to get your old white shirt too so that we can dye them all the same colour. *(If all of this is news to you, check with myself, Sarah Jane or Avril on what is needed).

Avril will also be working mainly with Jean (Props mistress) as well as everyone involved in building the set in ensuring that everything on stage is in a sepia hue.

Pretend sausages and others props will be gradually introduced as of next Monday - and we would also hope to get one item of clothing per character introduced into rehearsals fairly soon to aid with characterisation.

As of next Monday it's three weeks to books down!- A number of cast area already books down for certain scenes which is really encouraging to see. There are plenty of opportunities during rehearsals to run lines, so take them - family members and loved ones might be less enthusiastic about listening to you than your fellow thespians!!