Dunlavin

Dunlavin is three weeks ago now. It is amazing to report how smoothly everything went. Suffice to say the Deerings were wonderful hosts and cast and crew displayed tremendous energy and intitiative throughout. The performances were magical, enhanced by the setting, the backgrund sounds of cows and chickens, the lighting, the costume and the dry ice. We made € 1000 for local schools and what's more, a very good impression. I'd love to go back there.

Funlavin

Things are moving ahead. Rehearsals in small groups are taking place this week in John McCarthy's offices in Rathgar. Paul drove back from Galway specially. This week end will be a busy time in the hall, with rehearsals, set painting ( one colour black ) and assembling the costume.

Jean and Jackie are working on props and Sinead on the catering and front of house. The lighting is ordered, Barry Deering has welded in a lighting bar for us.
I hope Andrew and Avril are recovered from swine flu - they are badly needed.

It is lovely to hear some of the phrases from the show again - a young dissipated owl - like Leander, barring the wetting - your beauty has left a lining in it that has kept me warm ever since -. I liked Mrs Cregan talking about their estates being - heavily involved - a lovely euphemism.

A Lot Has Happened

The last post was about the auditions for Move Over Mrs Markham - it was cast with four new male members Eoin Langford, Jim Carroll, Ben Mulhern and Andrew Deering with Hilary Rose making her LPP stage debut alongside Sinead Fitzpatrick, Sarah Louise Cleary and Michelle Reid.
What a blessed production, from assembling such a stellar cast, through the costuming by Dorothy, Stage Design and Construction by Maud and Roger, through to the A. Rankin DVD and the secretary finding the perfect 1970's chair in a skip.
A magnificient response frm our audiences, with the economic clouds darkening it was just the ticket.
The Bar B Q was for once blessed with sunshine. Adrian Chapman returned to impressively catch Stephen McWhite at short mid wicket in a rousing game of cricket. Jan impressed with the bat, Sinead told the bowlers wehre she wanted it. Eric's othodox batting was impressive too.
The Colleen Bawn is due to ride again in the Deering barn in Dunlavin, Andrew Deering will take over from Glynner who played Hardress in November.
Don't forget the DLI summer school - Noeleen is definitely going, Andrew Rankin, JP Swaine and John McCarthy are also making interested noises.
Tara Power was a powerful al fresco Cleopatra in St Stepehn's Green and was a great interviewee on the Myles Dungan show.

Auditions

Auditions for MOMM are on Monday 19th January in the hall. 8pm

Spring Play

The dates for the audition and performance will be announced soon. Available committee members had a reading of Move Over Miss Markham, a farce from the 1970's. We rarely do farces as it usually reuires a long period rehearsing on the actual stage with the set already made, in order to cope with the split second exits and entrances.
However Roger, who has very happy memories of the first time LPP did the play in the 1980's would build a temporary door for us to use in the rehearsal room.
I was helpless with laughter on occasions during the read through, overcome by the weight of the innuendo. It will be a technical challenge for the actors, but bought off well, it should a night of unrivalled hilarity. That is the plan.

I am still being stopped by people in the street and hearing great praise for the Colleen Bawn. It deserves another outing. I am trying to find a venue. The DVD is excellent, well done Andrew. I have a couple of copies left € 10.

The Colleen Bawn

The Colleen Bawn:

Things are moving along. Colette has been through the complete wardrobe, that was on Sunday afer working a 16 hour shift and being 5 months pregnant. She puts her amazing energy down to two tablespoons of flaxseed on her morning yoghurt. She is off to the US on Tuesday and will be getting more costume materials there and wigs.

Noeleen has been in Wexford, colloguing with her brother in law Steve, who is the man for elegant set construction / design solutions.

The Whites, Maud, Roger and Dick are looking forward to appearing on stage together for the first time ever?

Shane Fahy completed a days filming as Bertie Ahern for the upcoming Mint Production/RTE biography of our former leader. Julian Judge played 'Paddy the Plasterer'.

Andrew Rankin is back and looks forward to a challenging lighting assignment.

There is books down on Monday for the first time.

Interesting review in the Sunday Times comparing the current Aykbourn and Pinter plays in the West End. Result Aykbourn ***** Pinter **. My feelings entirely.

The Importance of Beng Earnest

Things are going all too smoothly. We are on schedule..

On the matter of costume Dee and Colette are looking for corsets. If anyone has any give me a call.

The playreading is upcoming on Friday 7th March at Jean and Garrets 8 pm. Do get in touch with me if you are coming and let me know if you are reading and a suitable, memorable piece will be chosen for you.

Congratulations to Alan Nolan on another magnificiently witty and arresting design for 'The Importance' E mail everone on your contacts list.

Auditions on Monday!

It's come around again... another play, another audition...
Monday at 8pm is Wesley House, Leeson Park we're auditioning for The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Noeleen Hartigan will direct, play dates around Easter but not quite decided at time of writing. All are welcome to audition - newcomers and oldcomers! However I will say that PLEASE be committed to rehearsals if you are fortunate enough to get a part. It's important to the whole team to have the full cast there when requested by the director. If you're going to be unavailable for more than a couple of rehearsals then Please - don't audition. You may be brilliant, you may know your lines, you may be fantastic in performance, but it's not fair on the rest of the cast to rehearse without you. Rehearsals are every Monday and Thursday at 8pm, if you don't have many scenes then you may not be required for all but that is up to the director. You have been warned. A Dim View will be taken.
As always it's not just the cast that are essential to the production so we'll be looking for people to do all the backstage stuff too. Interested?

Adieu!!

Well, that's it.....The fat lady has sung, and we're out of there! It was the most scrummy, spiffing and topping experience to share the past 3 months with all of you. Thank you for the absolutely top hole reception you gave me on Saturday night. The gifts were lovely. I thought I might leave this last blogging with the poem I wrote and recited for you on Saturday. So here goes.....


“Heroes - Meditations of a Director”
by Paul Cullen

I have written these few words
With every good intention
And I have tried my very best
To give you all a mention.

We started rehearsals for this play
In the balmy nights of September
And we’ve ended up here in the Waterloo Inn
On the first day of December.

The early part of rehearsals
Were a lot of fun
Jigsaws, feasts and sing a longs
And the quiz that the teachers won!

To put on the best show that we could
That was our ultimate aim
So we had a healthy attitude
To play up and play the game!

We certainly gave it our best shot
We really gave it a bash
But luckily, unlike Clare Broderick
None of us broke out in a rash!

Charles took on the producers role
And showed such responsibility
Except when he threw the coke at Alan
And nearly put him in Casualty!

For a show to be a success
You need a fantastic crew
So to Noeleen, Craig and Roger
Many thanks for all that you do.

Noeleen of course stage managed
A job that was a big demand
And I don’t think we’d have got those boxes moved
If it wasn’t for her guiding hand.

To Jean who managed all those props
The job you did was great
And also I must mention Sharon
Who’s make up was really first rate!

Carol played Grangewoods headmistress
Miss Gibson was firm but fair
But Carol is glad the show is over
Cos at last she can cut her hair!

Miss Granville loves her country
Thinks England is the best in the world
She adores patriotic poetry
And flies the Union Jack unfurled.

Sarah Jane took over Mademoiselle
And of course it saved the show
Her French accent was “Fantastique”
We’ll see her next on Allo, Allo!

Alan of course was Mr Scoblowski
Complete with an exaggerated limp
I suppose that’s what happens
When you become Mr Thompsons gimp!

As they crept around the corridors
Using just a torch for light
They obviously enjoyed each others company
All through the night.

But now that Mr T is back with his wife
Will the illicit affair come to an end
Or will he still have visitations
With his Bolshevick friend.

Caroline played Belinda Mathieson
A girl too perfect to be true
She was proud of Daisy
And Caroline “we’re proud of you”!

The other Caroline joined the group quite late
Not an easy thing to do,
But she worked hard and got involved
And in the end came through.

Poor Jane got confused at rehearsals
Reading in so many parts always toing and froing
But now that she has her eyesight done
She’ll know where she is going!

Louise is the baby of the gang,
Who could hurt this girl of just sixteen
But the black eye she got from Sybil
Was the biggest I’ve ever seen!

And Alice Fitzpatrick from Ireland
Her accent was so cute
You’d think butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth
Except when she’s playing the flute!

But be very careful when she’s around
She’s a dark one to say the least
Because if you happen to be a second year
You might end up being a feast!

Unless of course she’s in the bath
With all the other prees
Especially when Clare went down in the mud
And needed help to wash her knees!

Colette joining us this year
All the way from the US of A
And when she had to take over from Denise
She certainly saved the day!

She took on the role of Monica
And gave it her best try
It’s nice to know that Grangewood School
Has it’s very own CSI

Especially with all those mysteries
That filled us all with fear
Like where did Charles find all those young women
And why did they disappear?

Clare Beaumont was a topping head girl.
Never too proud or cocky
But you know she’d sell her granny
Just to win a game of hockey.

Dora doesn’t have a pencil sharpener
With boys she likes to chat
She even bites her nails
Dora Johnston, Don’t Do That!

Joan played Sybil Burlington
Beautiful, Spoilt and Rich
In fact you could say
She was a little bit....misunderstood!

Her funny bits were comedic
Her breakdown simply tragical
I must say Joan, in this production
You were by any standards, magical!

We cast Diane as Trixie
And we expected great things
She was always full of energy
No need for Red Bull to give her wings!

Diana was fun and enthusiastic
But could play the prima donna role
She insisted on a doughnut with the middle removed,
Yes, that’s right, she got her hole!

But she’s definitely got a future
The world’s hers for the taking
This young, talented girl
Is surely a star in the making.

And now to our leading lady,
Irene who played the huge part of Daisy
She must have said so many times
Why am I doing this I must be crazy!

But Irene, you did an amazing job!
Playing Daisy was quite tough
But with talent, dedication and commitment
You certainly “Pulled It Off!!”

And Irene as you say goodbye to Grangewood
And take Digby your little frog,
I’m sure that you’re so exhausted
You’ll sleep like the proverbial log!

This has been a fantastic show
It’s really been a ball,
And from the bottom of my heart
I’d like to thank you all!

Finally to all involved in this show
I warmly congratulate
So let’s say farewell to Grangewood
It’s time to graduate!!



That's it..... thank you for joining me on this journey.

Honesta Quam Magna.

Once More Into The Breach, Dear Friends, Once More!

Well dear friends..... just one performance to go..... let's make it the best yet.

Friday night was pretty special, great show, great audience....... I don't want to make your heads too big, but the comments afterwards were frighteningly good; "you should tour that professionally", "I was crying with laughter", "great energy", "brilliant casting", "the leads were amazing", "Trixie just nailed it", "I was so jealous, I would have loved to have been in that play"........ There was more, but I think we've massaged the egos enough for tonight.

So for the last time......... go out there tonight, and make the magic happen!!!

I love you all,

Paul

We Pulled It Off!!

Well, what can I say? Fantastic opening night.... the buzz has been fantastic.... I've been receiving texts and e mails all morning from an appreciative public. Even my son, who's my biggest critic, thought it was brilliant!! Here's one quote from an audience member, which some of you may already have seen.

"As a member of the audience, congratulations to everyone. The show was brilliant, the costumes and the set great and the performance hilarious. Speaking for myself, I certainly left Leeson Park last night with a smile on my face and a lighter step than when I entered!

Keep up the good work,

If tonight & Saturday are half as good as last night, the audiences won't be disappointed!"

Another elderly couple took me aside after the show and said it was the best night's entertainment they've had in fifty years of theatre going!!

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.... those comments are yesterdays news.... we can't rest on our laurels,because the audiences tonight and tomorrow deserve an equally good night out... and I know you're going to give it to them.

Hope you're resting up and not slaving too hard. I've just had Trixie telling me about a sore throat that she has succumbed to, so Cod Liver Oil for everyone.

Must dash, I've got a cello lesson in town!

See you all later.

Paul

Hinc Spes Effulget

Hence Hope Shines Forth!

Well that's it....I'm done! The show is now in your very capable hands.

From an audience point of view, the show looks great. The set, the costumes, the props, the lighting.... it all works really well. As regards the acting..... I couldn't be happier. Act One last night was a joy from start to finish. I watched the whole of it with a big grin on my face. Act Two needs a little stepping up in vitality, but I think the adrenaline and the buzz off the crowd will take care of that. What is up on that stage is exactly what I envisioned when we set out 12 weeks ago. I want the audience to feel that they are watching a Malory Towers book coming to life, and to give them that wave of nostalgia that brings them right back to the days when they would read those sort of books under the covers with a torch. In short, I feel that we have created a lovely piece of theatre.

So go out there tonight and bring the house down!

Break a leg, (or like Trixie, at least pretend to damage an ankle!)

Love you all,

Paul

The Roar Of The Greasepaint, The Smell Of The Crowd!

We're almost there! So close we can almost taste it!

Great rehearsal tonight, definately B plusses all round. Sort out the boxes, the second half of the hockey match, and a bit more energy at the start of each act and we're on to a winner.

The small audience of two really enjoyed the show... the laughter was genuine.... even those of us who have lived with it for the past three months were giggling like schoolgirls!!

Just to reiterate what I said at the end.... we do this because we love it; it is our passion, our joy....... show me that passion, show me that joy!!! Attack the show with verve and vitality..... I want no regrets!! You only get three shots at this, make everyone count!! And remember "No Feasting On The Second Years!!"

Must dash, there's the bell for Prep? Supper? Science Class? (Too many bells!!!!, poor Trixie!!)

7.00 tomorrow for costumes!
7.15 box run through and hockey match
7.45 curtain!!

10.45 PUB!!

B Minus For Everyone

Despite what a lot of you might think, last night went really well. It was our first time up on the stage, and that does take a bit of getting used to. There was a couple of lines dropped, a few entrances and exits could be sharper, the boxes need a bit of work, the hockey match was a bit of a damp squib... but these are all things that can only improve. Tonight you'll be a bit more comfortable and the stage will begin to feel like home... I fully expect tonight to be very good.... and then tomorrow night to be excellent, and finally Thursday, Friday and Saturday to be exquisite!!!

The costumes look fantastic, just make sure that we have the right socks (Clare) and the right shoes (Winnie). Make up was great, (Thanks Sharon). The lighting is almost there, just a little bit of tweaking.

I would normally be extremely nervous and edgy this close to a performance, but so far the top has stayed on the brandy bottle!!!

So take a B minus everybody.... I want B plusses tonight!!

See you later,

Paul

p.s. Break a leg to Adrian, who is opening in "Funny Money" in Australia tonight. Apparently they have to treat their Director like a God.....(Now there's a thought!!!)

No Mention Of Trixie

And so, here we are at last..... the week of the show!!! 23 rehearsals so far and tonight is looking like the first one where everybody will be there...... fingers crossed anyway! It's now 3pm on the Monday and there's been no declarations of unavailability as yet..... so don't even think about it.

Well done to everybody who helped out over the weekend..... the set is looking great, and when we fill it with actors later it will look even better!

Don't forget your costumes tonight, it is a Dress rehearsal! As it is our first run through on the stage, please bear with us as it may get a bit messy on the technical side. I trust you, the actors, to get on with what you do and pay attention to the crew, especially Noeleen, the stage manager, who will whip you into shape backstage.

The final rehearsal in room 6 was fantastic. It was a show almost ready for public consumption, unlike the rather sad cakes that Monica and Sybil had to eat!

I am very proud of this show so far....... let's really nail it over the next few days and give the audiences a real treat!!!


Cheeriosa,

Paul

Red Bull Gives You Wings

Sorry about the delay in blogging. It's been a crazy few days, winning a best Director award for my adaptation of Midsummer Night's Dream at one Drama Festival and then winning a Best Actor award at another Festival for my performance in my own play "Fairy Gifts Fading Away". (God, I'm great..... he says with just a hint of irony!)

So Trixie needs artificial stimulants to get through the day, (Red Bull).... If you were anymore hyper darling, you would be airborne!! She's getting to be quite the demanding little drama queen now! Wanting holes in her doughnuts for pete's sake! Holes!! We'll do our best to get you your hole, Diane, but we can't promise anything!

Well tonight is our last rehearsal in Room 6...... it's been our home for 12 weeks, we'll miss it, but I'm sure you're all dying to get up on that stage. Apart from a few little bits here and there it's all looking really good. I am sure that everyone will be word perfect tonight. God help you if you're not. I am easy going and like to run a relaxed rehearsal room.... but God help you, if you try to take advantage of that and not put the work in that you should!!!! It's not just me that you're letting down, but the rest of the cast and crew and also all those actor's who turned up at the audition and didn't get parts. They would love to be in your uniform now! So tonight... full concentration..... and hard work!!!! 7.30 start; the play, the whole play and nothing but the play!!

Once we're up on stage, the set pieces will take a better shape, the dancing, the choir, the cliff top rescue, the schoolroom scenes, the train, the hockey match etc.
We'll hopefully run some lines over the weekend when we're putting the set together. Charles will remind you tonight of the times for building, painting etc.


Tonight, ladies and Gentlemen....tonight!!

Feasting On The Second Years!

How good was last night's rehearsal? I'll tell you, it was great! We're about 75% of the way there. And over the next 6 rehearsals we'll extract that last 25%. The secret of course is to guide the play and make sure that it peaks on opening night and then sustains for the final two performances. We don't want a situation wherby we're moaning at being either under-rehearsed or over-rehearsed! It feels like we're on the right track with everything; characterisations, lines, relationships, chemistry, movement, stagecraft, set-pieces, singing, dancing, props, costumes, lighting, set-design etc, etc.

On Thursday we will go through Act One and sort out any problems that arise. We will also go through the Cliff Top rescue, the Gay Gordons and the choir entrances. And the plan then would be to have full run throughs on Monday and Thursday!

Back to last night.... Michelle's Jesus, Mary & Joseph expletive had to be the comic timing event of the year. She says it was accidental, hopefully she will accidentally do it like that every night! And as for "feasting on the second years"? Enough said! Joan and Colette are going to bring the house down with their double act, so funny last night. I loved the cliff top rescue scene, there was literally excellent support from Dora, Belinda and Winnie!!! Irene is putting in a tour de force as Daisy. It's only when you let scenes run fully through that you realise how much she has to do! She will be drained by the end of it. I think we'll have to get Matron to dose her up on some cod liver oil! Wonderful to have Trixie back last night. Her vitality and energy add so much to the performance. The teachers are doing a fantastic job as is Mr Thompson. There was some wonderful work being done during the hockey match...yes I did notice! And how amazing is Sarah Jane....you just don't know where she's going to pop up next!

Finally, I just want to say how proud I am of all of you so far.....but don't get complacent..... we will work so hard over the next two and a half weeks to make sure that we give ourselves and our audience the most wonderful show!!

Anyway, must go, I have prep to do!

Paul

Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

What an absolutley top hole rehearsal tonight. It was a joy from start to finish. Here we are just three weeks away from opening night and we're still finding the script as funny and fresh as we did at the first reading, and of course this was despite the fact we were missing the brilliance of Trixie, Claire and Dora..I think the audiences are in for a real treat. The pity is of course is that you guys aren't seeing from the front all the hilarious stuff that the audience are seeing. Perhaps we should get it videoed!!

Tonight I especially loved, the choir, (Charles was very taken with Irene's suggestive actions during Cherry Ripe). I also loved Joan munching on that massive cream cake and not being able to speak properly for 5 minutes. And guys at the next rehearsal check out the wonderful off tune humming of Sybil Burlington during Daisy's solo song. It is simply priceless.... I was nearly on the floor tonight. And of course how good was Colette tonight. Knew all her lines in one week and making a great effort at the accent. What a trooper!

Finally, congratulations to Michelle on finding the Fanny she was looking for.

Well anyway, must go for my cocoa before it gets cold,

See you all Monday, have a good weekend!!

CSI Leeson Park

Hello Babes and Kiddies,

Was out at Dianes play tonight (Fast Times at Teachers Club until Saturday)..and she was giving out about the lack of blogging, and she's right, so I have accepted the slap on the wrist and promised to get on the old Interweb thingy. She's great in the play by the way, and the outfit was mmmmmm....interesting. We nearly had a "Britney" moment at one stage!!!!! Anyway, she'll be back to LPP on Monday...Hurrah!!

The title of the blog is in respect of the fact that we have a Forensic scientist in our cast. Colette worked on crime scenes in Washington, before moving to the violent slums of North County Wicklow. Her detecting skills should come in very handy. She discovered Andrew's missing hat.... she found out that I have a pet dog, based on fibres attached to my clothing.... she is currently trying to find Michelle's missing Fanny. After that we will give her the job of discovering what happened to all those girls that Charles kept bringing along and then we'd never see them again!!!

As regards the play, Monday was a big improvement on Thursday...although I hope this wasn't due to the fact that 6 of the cast were absent. The few props and the knowledge of lines, the use of the boxes etc, is really making it all come alive. The next few rehearsals should be wonderful. And thank you to Noeleens brother Steve for supplying the boxes. They're so big that after the production we're thinking of selling them off as Starter Homes.

Time for lights out,

See you all tomorrow.

p.s. A big Hi to Rachel, if she happens to be reading this in the jungle. Watch out for those Monkeys!!

Counting Down The Days

Well here we are...into November. The countdown to the show has started in earnest. Only seven more rehearsals in the small room before we hit the main stage. After the run through last week I must say I am getting very excited about the production. Characters are great, lines are getting learnt, costumes and props are coming together, set pieces look good and the fun in the rehearsal room is still vibrant and exciting. (And that was even without Trixie)

For those who missed the schedule, here it is....

Thursday 1st Full Run Through (Scripts Down)

Monday 5th Full Run Through (with basic props)

Thursday 8th Full Run Through

Monday 12th Act One and problem scenes (act one)

Thursday 15th Act Two and problem scenes (act two)

Monday 19th Full Run Through

Thursday 22nd Full Run Through

Saturday 24th Set Construction (Time to be confirmed)

Monday 26th Dress Rehearsal

Tuesday 27th Dress Rehearsal

Wednesday 28th Final Dress Rehearsal

Thursday 29th Opening Night!!!!

Unless you’ve already told me of unavoidable absences, please, please, please have respect for the rest of the cast and do not miss any more rehearsals!!!

We won't have our Head Girl for the next few rehearsals as she is off getting her eyeballs licked by monkeys in Africa. But it will give one of our amazing understudies a chance to read in. May I take this opportunity to say how blessed I feel to have had such amazing understudies in this show. It is a thankless task but Colette, Sarah Jane, Jane and Claire have been absolutely top drawer in their enthusiasm and commitment.

As it is supposed to be scripts down for tonight, we should be in for some fun!!!!
Just make as good an effort as you can!

Cheeriosa,

Paul