The Leeson Park Players Annual BBQ on the 16th of June! It's on Bray Head kindly hosted by Roger and Maud (again). If you haven't been before - well, shame on you. All members welcome. Bring something to throw on the barbie (food wise) and maybe a salad/bread/dessert/drink item to share. For details of time and place and how to get there contact Charles - crichardsAToceanfreeDOTnet. Obviously you need to do the @ and . thing.
This will also be the official GoodByeAdrian get together which, to reflect the seriousness and mournful nature of the occasion, will change location and go on into the wee small hours.
Adrian has been a LPP'er for 10 years and will be sorely missed both on stage and off. I remember him as a young lad nervously approaching me (I was but a child myself) and asking where he should stand to sell programmes and tea tickets. He took the balcony option and did an excellent job, his accountancy training having well equiped him to give change of a fiver. Little did I know then what a Force he would be within the Players. Since joining he has been involved in practically every play, both on and off stage, acting, directing, a bit of painting, climbing the first couple of rungs on a ladder occasionally; he's even an honorary Techie - was it lights? sound? I can't remember but what I do know is this. He will be missed by all of us.
I'm a bit teary now... accolades for the man in the comments please.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Last Word
Well, as my directorial predecessor put it – that was the play that was. And a beautiful play it was too. Every single member of the cast found a moment where they shone and in concert you created something really very special.
There are a number of ways of gauging the success of a show: a happy and fulfilled cast, a director who hasn’t gone grey, a crew who have mastered each challenge presented, a full house…… We can tick all those boxes, and that is great. But for me the most important thing is that we took a wonderful play, put our own colour on it and shared it – in the anxious, palpitating lived moment that is theatre- with other people.
The (nearly 600, I think) people who came to see our Juno and the Paycock included young people who have read it in school but have never seen it brought to life, people who know it inside out, those who had never heard of the play and of course the seasoned theatre hacks who have themselves put their own ‘colour’ on Juno in the past. Judging by the responses we received I can honestly say that every person who shared our play with us got something meaningful from it.
In the thank you’s on Saturday, the cast got but a cursory mention as they had enjoyed three nights of solid applause, and I figured they were high enough without me telling them how great they were too! However, I had meant to say two specific things. Firstly, I did witness some of the best acting I have seen ‘in the flesh’ during the rehearsals and production, which was a real honour. Secondly, if I were to pick out one theme where the cast really excelled it would be timing. Not doing anything, and doing it well is a huge challenge, particularly for amateur actors. The moments of absolutely hilarity, of anguish, of expectation and of downright fear evoked by actors being brave enough to do very little for just the right length of time to establish the intent with the audience were wonderful.
Everyone has been thanked either in person or in public for the role they played, they were many and varied, and nobody shirked along the way. We hope that our new friends will stay with us, and that our old friends will return. And that we can each take something from what we put in and what we saw and build it into the fabric of our quest to bring beautiful things to life.
Le meas,
Noeleen Hartigan
There are a number of ways of gauging the success of a show: a happy and fulfilled cast, a director who hasn’t gone grey, a crew who have mastered each challenge presented, a full house…… We can tick all those boxes, and that is great. But for me the most important thing is that we took a wonderful play, put our own colour on it and shared it – in the anxious, palpitating lived moment that is theatre- with other people.
The (nearly 600, I think) people who came to see our Juno and the Paycock included young people who have read it in school but have never seen it brought to life, people who know it inside out, those who had never heard of the play and of course the seasoned theatre hacks who have themselves put their own ‘colour’ on Juno in the past. Judging by the responses we received I can honestly say that every person who shared our play with us got something meaningful from it.
In the thank you’s on Saturday, the cast got but a cursory mention as they had enjoyed three nights of solid applause, and I figured they were high enough without me telling them how great they were too! However, I had meant to say two specific things. Firstly, I did witness some of the best acting I have seen ‘in the flesh’ during the rehearsals and production, which was a real honour. Secondly, if I were to pick out one theme where the cast really excelled it would be timing. Not doing anything, and doing it well is a huge challenge, particularly for amateur actors. The moments of absolutely hilarity, of anguish, of expectation and of downright fear evoked by actors being brave enough to do very little for just the right length of time to establish the intent with the audience were wonderful.
Everyone has been thanked either in person or in public for the role they played, they were many and varied, and nobody shirked along the way. We hope that our new friends will stay with us, and that our old friends will return. And that we can each take something from what we put in and what we saw and build it into the fabric of our quest to bring beautiful things to life.
Le meas,
Noeleen Hartigan
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Final Juno notes.....nearly
My brain is numb. I think I will need a lot more sleep before I can do ye and it justice in the final note on what was - suffice to say for the time being - a wonderful production.
Expect something by midweek!
Expect something by midweek!
Friday, March 30, 2007
First Night - two more to go
It was Fantastic. That's what the audience were saying as they left after the show last night.
Well Done Everyone.
If you were thinking of going but haven't got organised then I would urge you to Get Organised as this production is a Must See. Full house last night so get there early to be sure of a good seat.
Now, a few photos:
And some note giving (in rehearsal)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Juno notes 6
O Casey Night
The New Theatre's opening production is O'Casey's Shadow of a Gunman. The Director has invited us to attend at the concession rate of €15 per head, and to meet with him and the cast afterwards. This is a great opportunity to see how another group have approached O'Casey, to meet other actors and to have a bit of a social too.
I propose we go on Wednesday the 14th (they can't do concessions for us on Fri or Sat nights, which is understandable and any later is too close to our own show). Please let me know your availability by text, email or in person.
8pm Eustace St., Temple Bar.
Also:
Craig has just confirmed that he is available as Stage Manager for this production. Craig made his first outing as SM in our last production and was a pleasure to work with so I am delighted he is on board. After a very spirited performance at the play reading I expect we'll be seeing more of him on as opposed to back stage in the future.
The rest of Team Rankin, aka Andrew and Avril, have been busily coming up with solutions to my various visions (demands) for a number of weeks now.
To any smarty pants out there who have been noting the number sequence, yes I did two number 5's. Still struggling with editing post posting mistakes.
The New Theatre's opening production is O'Casey's Shadow of a Gunman. The Director has invited us to attend at the concession rate of €15 per head, and to meet with him and the cast afterwards. This is a great opportunity to see how another group have approached O'Casey, to meet other actors and to have a bit of a social too.
I propose we go on Wednesday the 14th (they can't do concessions for us on Fri or Sat nights, which is understandable and any later is too close to our own show). Please let me know your availability by text, email or in person.
8pm Eustace St., Temple Bar.
Also:
Craig has just confirmed that he is available as Stage Manager for this production. Craig made his first outing as SM in our last production and was a pleasure to work with so I am delighted he is on board. After a very spirited performance at the play reading I expect we'll be seeing more of him on as opposed to back stage in the future.
The rest of Team Rankin, aka Andrew and Avril, have been busily coming up with solutions to my various visions (demands) for a number of weeks now.
To any smarty pants out there who have been noting the number sequence, yes I did two number 5's. Still struggling with editing post posting mistakes.
Juno notes 5
The Final Stages!
We went books down last week, and very impressive it was too. I cannot vouch for Monday night's rehearsals but the hard task mistress Sarah Jane said it was good, and that is high praise indeed. Thursday night was excellent. This stage in a production is usually marked by a lot of pain and winced faces, but so far so good. Congratulations to everyone on their hard work.
Rehearsal Schedule from now till showtime
The week beginning the 5th will be the last week of regular rehearsals. Act One and all two/ three handers of act one cast on Monday. The party and killing scenes on Thursday! (aka Act two scene two onwards).
From the 12th we will be running the full show every night. This means starting bang on eight o clock, and running straight through to end of Act 2, quick break and then Act 3. We will have four runs at this, ie two weeks.
On Monday the 19th ( the bank holiday) we will be in the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines, starting at 7.30. We will do the whole show, and with a lot of emphasis on the scene with furniture removal men/ johnny/ irregulars/Mobiliser.
If you haven't been to the cricket club before check with Charles for directions.
Then, as unbelievable as it is that all has moved so quickly we are into dress rehearsals.
Practical notes:
CAST: If you have not sent me your biog for for the programme it has gone beyond ridiculous and I will be holding your hand to a piece of paper this week.
Please also ensure that you have checked in with Avril and that you are on track for getting your costume/s together.
CREW: Jean has been doing a stellar job with props, and we are nearly all set on that front. Roger, Charles, Andrew and Noeleen will be working out the set box shortly, and all cast will be expected to give a hand in set construction, painting and striking.
PR: Tickets will be available as of this week, as will flyers for distribution. We hope to have a picture in The Gloss magazine this month, and will as ever flaunt our selves shamelessly through the theatre listings to bring in the masses.
We went books down last week, and very impressive it was too. I cannot vouch for Monday night's rehearsals but the hard task mistress Sarah Jane said it was good, and that is high praise indeed. Thursday night was excellent. This stage in a production is usually marked by a lot of pain and winced faces, but so far so good. Congratulations to everyone on their hard work.
Rehearsal Schedule from now till showtime
The week beginning the 5th will be the last week of regular rehearsals. Act One and all two/ three handers of act one cast on Monday. The party and killing scenes on Thursday! (aka Act two scene two onwards).
From the 12th we will be running the full show every night. This means starting bang on eight o clock, and running straight through to end of Act 2, quick break and then Act 3. We will have four runs at this, ie two weeks.
On Monday the 19th ( the bank holiday) we will be in the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines, starting at 7.30. We will do the whole show, and with a lot of emphasis on the scene with furniture removal men/ johnny/ irregulars/Mobiliser.
If you haven't been to the cricket club before check with Charles for directions.
Then, as unbelievable as it is that all has moved so quickly we are into dress rehearsals.
Practical notes:
CAST: If you have not sent me your biog for for the programme it has gone beyond ridiculous and I will be holding your hand to a piece of paper this week.
Please also ensure that you have checked in with Avril and that you are on track for getting your costume/s together.
CREW: Jean has been doing a stellar job with props, and we are nearly all set on that front. Roger, Charles, Andrew and Noeleen will be working out the set box shortly, and all cast will be expected to give a hand in set construction, painting and striking.
PR: Tickets will be available as of this week, as will flyers for distribution. We hope to have a picture in The Gloss magazine this month, and will as ever flaunt our selves shamelessly through the theatre listings to bring in the masses.
Friday, February 23, 2007
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!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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.
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??
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))
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Juno notes 5
Next week's rehearsals:
Monday the 12th - Act One, plus:
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!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Juno notes 4
Rehearsal Schedule
The one scene we have not rehearsed yet is Act 3 scene 4 with the furniture removal men, the irregulars and johnny.
The first rehearsal of this scene will be on Thursday the 1st of February.
We will then set out a series of dates to rehearse that scene with the actors involved.
The following are the details of forthcoming rehearsals:
Monday 22nd
Act 1, Act 2 - scenes 1 & 2, Act 3, scene 1, plus Act 3 - Jerry and Mary scene
Thursday 25th - Sarah Jane Mulcahy Assistant Director taking rehearsals
Act 2, scenes 3 & 4, all of Act 3 bar scene 4
Monday 29th- Sarah Jane Mulcahy
Act 1, Act 2 - scenes 1 & 2, Act 3, scene 1, plus Act 3 - Jerry and Mary scene
Thursday 1st February
Input from Dara Carolan (see Juno notes 2)
Act 3 - scene four, Rest of Act 3
Monday 5th February
Act 1 and Act 2 (to date we will have done second half of Act 2 on Thursdays only, please let me know if you have commitments)
Thursday 8th February
Accent Workshop with Helen Norton
8 - 10pm all cast
Key dates:
By Monday 26th of February everybody should be 'books down'. This gives a full month before the production to wince your way through the lines!
From Monday the 12th of March we will be running the full show every rehearsal night. This gives us four full run throughs before the dress rehearsals.
On the bank holiday Monday the 19th March we hope to hold rehearsals in the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines, and will start at 7pm.
Please let me know of dates you can't be available-
Thanks!
Noeleen
The one scene we have not rehearsed yet is Act 3 scene 4 with the furniture removal men, the irregulars and johnny.
The first rehearsal of this scene will be on Thursday the 1st of February.
We will then set out a series of dates to rehearse that scene with the actors involved.
The following are the details of forthcoming rehearsals:
Monday 22nd
Act 1, Act 2 - scenes 1 & 2, Act 3, scene 1, plus Act 3 - Jerry and Mary scene
Thursday 25th - Sarah Jane Mulcahy Assistant Director taking rehearsals
Act 2, scenes 3 & 4, all of Act 3 bar scene 4
Monday 29th- Sarah Jane Mulcahy
Act 1, Act 2 - scenes 1 & 2, Act 3, scene 1, plus Act 3 - Jerry and Mary scene
Thursday 1st February
Input from Dara Carolan (see Juno notes 2)
Act 3 - scene four, Rest of Act 3
Monday 5th February
Act 1 and Act 2 (to date we will have done second half of Act 2 on Thursdays only, please let me know if you have commitments)
Thursday 8th February
Accent Workshop with Helen Norton
8 - 10pm all cast
Key dates:
By Monday 26th of February everybody should be 'books down'. This gives a full month before the production to wince your way through the lines!
From Monday the 12th of March we will be running the full show every rehearsal night. This gives us four full run throughs before the dress rehearsals.
On the bank holiday Monday the 19th March we hope to hold rehearsals in the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines, and will start at 7pm.
Please let me know of dates you can't be available-
Thanks!
Noeleen
Juno notes 3a!
Details on our tutor for the accent workshop
Helen Norton
Helen Norton is a graduate of UCD and has been a Professional Actress for nearly 19 years, she has worked for The Abbey, The Gate, Druid, and has appeared at most of the theatres around the country. Film and TV Credits include Angela`s Ashes, Veronica Guerin, A Love Divided and Paths to Freedom. Helen has worked exstensively on Radio and is also a voice over artist. She has written and directed three short plays for children based on works in The National Gallery of Ireland.
Helen has been a regular tutor for the DLI and has given a course at the residential Summer School. Most recently she gave an accent workshop at the DLI Conference in Sligo. of the Leeson park workshop featured in Juno notes 3, Helen says "This workshop will focus on the Dublin accent but we will explore all sorts of vocal gymnastics and other texts so hopefully we`ll have a lot of fun! "
Helen Norton
Helen Norton is a graduate of UCD and has been a Professional Actress for nearly 19 years, she has worked for The Abbey, The Gate, Druid, and has appeared at most of the theatres around the country. Film and TV Credits include Angela`s Ashes, Veronica Guerin, A Love Divided and Paths to Freedom. Helen has worked exstensively on Radio and is also a voice over artist. She has written and directed three short plays for children based on works in The National Gallery of Ireland.
Helen has been a regular tutor for the DLI and has given a course at the residential Summer School. Most recently she gave an accent workshop at the DLI Conference in Sligo. of the Leeson park workshop featured in Juno notes 3, Helen says "This workshop will focus on the Dublin accent but we will explore all sorts of vocal gymnastics and other texts so hopefully we`ll have a lot of fun! "
Friday, January 19, 2007
Juno notes 3
Accent Workshop!
On Thursday the 8th of February our usual rehearsal time will be used as an accent workshop with professional actress Helen Norton. Helen comes highly recommended and I am very excited about her session having talked to her about how she works with groups.
Like everything else we do, this is a team effort and all of the cast should join in.
The Drama League of Ireland are kindly funding this workshop.
On Thursday the 8th of February our usual rehearsal time will be used as an accent workshop with professional actress Helen Norton. Helen comes highly recommended and I am very excited about her session having talked to her about how she works with groups.
Like everything else we do, this is a team effort and all of the cast should join in.
The Drama League of Ireland are kindly funding this workshop.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Juno notes 2
O' Casey workshop with Dara Carolan
Dara, who will be known to many of you as the coordinator of the Drama League of Ireland (www.dli.ie) has kindly offered to come meet with the cast to discuss O'Casey's lyrical writing style and how it impacts on delivery of the text as a satire.
Dara will be joining us for the first half hour of our rehearsals on Thursday the 1st of February.
Anyone from Leeson Park Players who is not directly involved in this production is more than welcome to come along to what I'm sure will be a very interesting session.
Dara, who will be known to many of you as the coordinator of the Drama League of Ireland (www.dli.ie) has kindly offered to come meet with the cast to discuss O'Casey's lyrical writing style and how it impacts on delivery of the text as a satire.
Dara will be joining us for the first half hour of our rehearsals on Thursday the 1st of February.
Anyone from Leeson Park Players who is not directly involved in this production is more than welcome to come along to what I'm sure will be a very interesting session.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Juno notes 1
Well, here goes, my first attempt at a blog. (second actually, first failed in cyberspace!)
I'm afraid they won't be as poetic or descriptive as my predecessor, purely functional!
Rather than mailing cast and crew any important notices in relation to the rehearsals/ production will be posted here.
Rehearsals are well underway and everyone is up moving, singing, and hopefully having fun. Some lovely characters are beginning to emerge already.
I have inserted scene breaks into the script to aid rehearsals and create discrete parts which can be rehearsed as we see fit. If you don't have these marked in your script, they'll be up on the wall at rehearsals, and check with Aine - script supervisor - for exact details.
Thursday the 18th is Act 2, scenes 3 & 4 and Act 3.
Scene 3 is where Joxer and Maisie Madigan join the party.
So, if you are on during or after that scene please be with us on Thursday.
Everyone is welcome to all rehearsals even if you are not 'on' and I'd hope that everyone will be familiar with the whole play regardless of what role they are playing.
As with Monday we will focus on the interaction between characters as opposed to 'blocking', the following Monday we will do Act1 and the first half of Act 2 again - and we will pull out a scene to play with....
Sarah Jane will be taking the rehearsals on Thursday the 25th and Monday the 29th, and then we'll have a full schedule of rehearsals for you all.
I'm afraid they won't be as poetic or descriptive as my predecessor, purely functional!
Rather than mailing cast and crew any important notices in relation to the rehearsals/ production will be posted here.
Rehearsals are well underway and everyone is up moving, singing, and hopefully having fun. Some lovely characters are beginning to emerge already.
I have inserted scene breaks into the script to aid rehearsals and create discrete parts which can be rehearsed as we see fit. If you don't have these marked in your script, they'll be up on the wall at rehearsals, and check with Aine - script supervisor - for exact details.
Thursday the 18th is Act 2, scenes 3 & 4 and Act 3.
Scene 3 is where Joxer and Maisie Madigan join the party.
So, if you are on during or after that scene please be with us on Thursday.
Everyone is welcome to all rehearsals even if you are not 'on' and I'd hope that everyone will be familiar with the whole play regardless of what role they are playing.
As with Monday we will focus on the interaction between characters as opposed to 'blocking', the following Monday we will do Act1 and the first half of Act 2 again - and we will pull out a scene to play with....
Sarah Jane will be taking the rehearsals on Thursday the 25th and Monday the 29th, and then we'll have a full schedule of rehearsals for you all.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Amazing Turnout
Wow. We had an amazing (and a little daunting) turnout at Auditions last night. About a gazillion (30+) people were there. LPPers and NEW LPPers (we hope). And the beauty of Juno and the Paycock is the huge cast. *note: if only 5 people had turned up this would not have been a beautiful feature of the play*
Noeleen ran the auditions brilliantly, we even sang. A warning to new cast members - she likes the singing thing a Lot. Rehearsals will be a blast. Hopefully we can persuade Noeleen to keep on the new tradition of the Director writing blog notes throughout rehearsals. Although she has a lot on so we won't be TOO disappointed if she doesn't.
I suppose some Dates would be good...
**Performance dates: March 29th, 30th and 31st**
Every Monday and Thursday evening from now on will be full of fun, angst, line fluffs, great acting, some not so great acting (at the start!), some hair pulling moments, some sleepless nights (directors perogative), and back to the fun again. Can't wait.
Let The Fun Begin.
Noeleen ran the auditions brilliantly, we even sang. A warning to new cast members - she likes the singing thing a Lot. Rehearsals will be a blast. Hopefully we can persuade Noeleen to keep on the new tradition of the Director writing blog notes throughout rehearsals. Although she has a lot on so we won't be TOO disappointed if she doesn't.
I suppose some Dates would be good...
**Performance dates: March 29th, 30th and 31st**
Every Monday and Thursday evening from now on will be full of fun, angst, line fluffs, great acting, some not so great acting (at the start!), some hair pulling moments, some sleepless nights (directors perogative), and back to the fun again. Can't wait.
Let The Fun Begin.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
News News News
Firstly - Congratulations to Andrew and Avril who got Engaged over the holidays. Great News! Don't worry, you don't have to invite us all to the wedding. Delighted for you. :-)
Secondly - looks like we have a director and a play for April. Just as well as
Auditions are on Monday!
Noeleen Hartigan will be directing for the first time with LPP and she will be in charge of (fanfare)
Juno and the Paycock
So get your auditioning boots on and come over to LPP headquarters (Wesley House) on Monday evening at 8. Monday the 8th at 8pm.
If you haven't already done so that would be a good time to pay your sub (a mere €15 for the year). At the next AGM in September we will have to make some decisions about the future of the Players and the Rules and you won't be able to Vote if you haven't paid up for the year 2006/2007. The Hon Treasurer would be delighted to take your money!
Secondly - looks like we have a director and a play for April. Just as well as
Auditions are on Monday!
Noeleen Hartigan will be directing for the first time with LPP and she will be in charge of (fanfare)
Juno and the Paycock
So get your auditioning boots on and come over to LPP headquarters (Wesley House) on Monday evening at 8. Monday the 8th at 8pm.
If you haven't already done so that would be a good time to pay your sub (a mere €15 for the year). At the next AGM in September we will have to make some decisions about the future of the Players and the Rules and you won't be able to Vote if you haven't paid up for the year 2006/2007. The Hon Treasurer would be delighted to take your money!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Directors Notes Final Issue
So that was the play that was. I remember having a tired and emotional conversation on Saturday night with somebody (although I may have been talking to a pot plant, as I was very, very tired and emotional) on the subject of theatre as Art. Many Art forms are permanent, like sculpture, writing or painting. But theatre belongs to that group of Art forms that exist only in the moment. We can record a show (and hopefully Dee’s gentleman friend has managed this). But it’s no substitute for being there on the night and feeling the electricity pulse through the audience as they suspend their belief and get carried away on the wave of emotion coming from the stage.
I am extremely proud today to be identified with this play. It has been described by many seasoned theatre goers as the best play they’ve seen in Leeson Park. It has been universally praised by all who watched it and I believe that everyone involved from the cast to the back stage people enjoyed the process. And that’s what it’s all about. We do this for fun after all.
And yet it is gone. Three months work gone in three nights, like some monumental bonfire. We took the set down yesterday and we all felt that tinge of sadness that something that had been so important in our lives in the last three months is now over. In years to come, all that will be left is a line in a program that “The Memory of Water” was LPP’s November play for 2006 and perhaps the odd story in the Leeson Lounge after future rehearsals. I can picture a 26 year old Andrew in 2010, nursing his first pint of Guinness and telling the story about how his table lamp caused a electro magnetic short circuit on the Friday causing all the stage lights to fail. Nobody will be around to say that actually his elbow slipped and he hit the off button. In 2015, Craig will be telling people in the Abbey (as he prepares to Stage Manage the debut production of Charles Richard’s “Emergency Landing on Mars”, which followed the Broadway success of his play “Sprouts and Ladders and other foods we used to eat before GM ruined everything”) that his first outing was on a little known play back in 2006 that involved chucking handfuls of fake snow onto the stage. During rehearsals for the 2015 production of “McFly, the Musical”, Noeleen will regale the cast with memories of her first stage kiss and the night Alan forgot where he was.
It’s kind of appropriate for this play, that all we have now are memories.
I tried to thank everyone on Saturday, but if I didn’t, I’ll extend a general one now. We had fantastic support for this play from LPP members and others. From people who helped put the stage up, to those who did front of house, to the cast and their hard work and dedication and to Team Rankin. I want to say a particular thanks to some new people and some who have been around a bit longer. Roger mentioned that this was the first program in approx. 40 years that he wasn’t listed in and Maud mentioned that they couldn’t make the party on Saturday because of other commitments and that this was the first in a long time that they would miss. I want to say a special thank you to both of them as they continue to be the backbone of Leeson Park and I know that Team Rankin in particular are grateful for the help and support they received.
I also want to mention some new members who have joined the group during the life of the play. Sarah Jane came on board as prompt and also threw herself into the general work. She did a great job and hopefully we can see her on stage soon. Noeleen will testify that doing prompt is a great apprenticeship. Inge and Lindsay (the latest addition to Team Rankin) also made their debut with us in helping out back stage and front of house. We hope to see more of them in the future.
All of the above just proves that fantastic community spirit still exists in this country (despite the best efforts of the Fianna Fail/PD government to destroy it, but that’s the story for a different blog).
All that remains to be said is that this play is over and for three nights magic existed in a church hall in Leeson Park. But you had to be there! The good news is that we’ll do it all again in April.
As Teresa said, “That’s the end of the story. The end. Full stop. Finito. La Fin. I’ve had far too much to drink”.
I am extremely proud today to be identified with this play. It has been described by many seasoned theatre goers as the best play they’ve seen in Leeson Park. It has been universally praised by all who watched it and I believe that everyone involved from the cast to the back stage people enjoyed the process. And that’s what it’s all about. We do this for fun after all.
And yet it is gone. Three months work gone in three nights, like some monumental bonfire. We took the set down yesterday and we all felt that tinge of sadness that something that had been so important in our lives in the last three months is now over. In years to come, all that will be left is a line in a program that “The Memory of Water” was LPP’s November play for 2006 and perhaps the odd story in the Leeson Lounge after future rehearsals. I can picture a 26 year old Andrew in 2010, nursing his first pint of Guinness and telling the story about how his table lamp caused a electro magnetic short circuit on the Friday causing all the stage lights to fail. Nobody will be around to say that actually his elbow slipped and he hit the off button. In 2015, Craig will be telling people in the Abbey (as he prepares to Stage Manage the debut production of Charles Richard’s “Emergency Landing on Mars”, which followed the Broadway success of his play “Sprouts and Ladders and other foods we used to eat before GM ruined everything”) that his first outing was on a little known play back in 2006 that involved chucking handfuls of fake snow onto the stage. During rehearsals for the 2015 production of “McFly, the Musical”, Noeleen will regale the cast with memories of her first stage kiss and the night Alan forgot where he was.
It’s kind of appropriate for this play, that all we have now are memories.
I tried to thank everyone on Saturday, but if I didn’t, I’ll extend a general one now. We had fantastic support for this play from LPP members and others. From people who helped put the stage up, to those who did front of house, to the cast and their hard work and dedication and to Team Rankin. I want to say a particular thanks to some new people and some who have been around a bit longer. Roger mentioned that this was the first program in approx. 40 years that he wasn’t listed in and Maud mentioned that they couldn’t make the party on Saturday because of other commitments and that this was the first in a long time that they would miss. I want to say a special thank you to both of them as they continue to be the backbone of Leeson Park and I know that Team Rankin in particular are grateful for the help and support they received.
I also want to mention some new members who have joined the group during the life of the play. Sarah Jane came on board as prompt and also threw herself into the general work. She did a great job and hopefully we can see her on stage soon. Noeleen will testify that doing prompt is a great apprenticeship. Inge and Lindsay (the latest addition to Team Rankin) also made their debut with us in helping out back stage and front of house. We hope to see more of them in the future.
All of the above just proves that fantastic community spirit still exists in this country (despite the best efforts of the Fianna Fail/PD government to destroy it, but that’s the story for a different blog).
All that remains to be said is that this play is over and for three nights magic existed in a church hall in Leeson Park. But you had to be there! The good news is that we’ll do it all again in April.
As Teresa said, “That’s the end of the story. The end. Full stop. Finito. La Fin. I’ve had far too much to drink”.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Directors Notes Issue 13
To the outside world, it may seem as though the play is just 2 hours long. Those of us on the inside know it’s a much longer process. The “Play within the Play” commenced back in August and will finish sometime on Sunday afternoon when the set is taken down.
Along the way, it has been mainly a comedy, but drama and mystery have also crept in. We have had the search for a coffin, the soap opera leading to the first screen kiss between Mary and Mike and the high queen hissy fits when it came to taking publicity photos. As things developed, I’ve become less certain as to whether Craig our stage manager has taken on this role for fun, or whether it’s all one big project for his Sociology studies in Trinity. He could write a paper on why people who are keen to step out on stage in front of 200 paying customers are shy about having their picture taken. We actors are either very vain or we descend from some nomadic red Indian tribe. You take my picture, you steal my soul.
We put the stage up this weekend, and magnificent it looks too. Big thank you to all involved. The spirit of community still lives on, despite the Celtic Tiger’s best efforts to strangle it.
Tonight we get on stage for the first dress rehearsal. If this is not a complete disaster, I’ll be shocked. Normally they run to about 3 hours! We’ll see if we can beat that (leaving out a few pages should help). But the real stuff starts here. This is what the last three months have been about. The chance to step into the lights, breathe in the oxygen and allow yourself to be carried off on the magic carpet of theatre. Destiny awaits for those brave enough to grasp it!
Along the way, it has been mainly a comedy, but drama and mystery have also crept in. We have had the search for a coffin, the soap opera leading to the first screen kiss between Mary and Mike and the high queen hissy fits when it came to taking publicity photos. As things developed, I’ve become less certain as to whether Craig our stage manager has taken on this role for fun, or whether it’s all one big project for his Sociology studies in Trinity. He could write a paper on why people who are keen to step out on stage in front of 200 paying customers are shy about having their picture taken. We actors are either very vain or we descend from some nomadic red Indian tribe. You take my picture, you steal my soul.
We put the stage up this weekend, and magnificent it looks too. Big thank you to all involved. The spirit of community still lives on, despite the Celtic Tiger’s best efforts to strangle it.
Tonight we get on stage for the first dress rehearsal. If this is not a complete disaster, I’ll be shocked. Normally they run to about 3 hours! We’ll see if we can beat that (leaving out a few pages should help). But the real stuff starts here. This is what the last three months have been about. The chance to step into the lights, breathe in the oxygen and allow yourself to be carried off on the magic carpet of theatre. Destiny awaits for those brave enough to grasp it!
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