Time's marching on. We've got 2 weeks to go. I remember writing 5 weeks to go…

Ok we've just done our first run. Half on Wed night in the chapel and half today in rehearsal room. 2 different results. The first run (totalling 1hour and 35 mins) was, in parts, quite brilliant. Saw scenes I haven't seen before because we're working on different stuff all the time. People have really put in the hours. The Fairy scenes and characters are wonderful to watch already. Felt messy with my scenes but a lot of it stuck. Not really worried about the time because it was a rough block-thru (with some real magic and moments) and we've time and space to get it up to speed.

Finished the run today. It was very different. Enjoyed the Play scenes but the final Demetrius stuff was mostly rubbish. Lines out the window. Connected to nothing and just following the blocking. Really need to polish those scenes personally. Had a group chat afterwards which was a healthy airing of problems and concerns. Main thing is Voice. We shout. A lot. And its not needed. I am too busy showing off my projection to listen and respond believably to actors and the audience who are all in touching distance. This needs to be addressed quickly. And the echo is sounding in the chapel more than I've heard before. We need to work on our diction and clarity and lack of volumn. Which comes back to the lines and the thought "on" them. Am slowly realising that the Thought and the Word go together, and when I get this right it flows easily. The lines are all in. Its the gaps I need to work on and the character and the relationships and the objectives and the conflict. Am really loving Quince. Demetrius, who I adored at first, is less clear to me at the moment.

Talking about costumes. Using the colours of the chapel sandstone in the design but thats about all we know. The chaps will be in trousers, as opposed to doublet and hose, with hats and cloaks etc. We find out more on Wednesday.

Am really enjoying working with this group of people. Its taken me a while to settle in (it always does – I'm very wary) but I feel open and honest with them and am LOVING creating with and watching them work. Ideas are wonderful. The director, as always, is spot on. There was a moment today for me when suddenly the gears shifted and I went up to 4th. Previously, if I'm honest, I've been working mostly in 2nd, occasionally in 3rd. So today was a benchmark, one to return to, and surpass. I think, if we continue at this rate, we might have something very special to show to an audience.