Tuesday 1st August
Finally reached August. The month we perform in. Time's flown by. On Thursday we start. Yeah.
Of course, it's now raining. Been brilliant sun for weeks – leading us into thinking we'd be safe working outside – and then in production week the heavens open. So we revert to Plan B where we locate everything inside. It looks ok. Gotta remember not to take our Outside voices inside though.
Did the Tech on Monday. It was fairly swift as Techs go. Was down on Sunday night helping Plot the lighting states and doing some extra work on my scenes. We're lucky because we get to work in the venue from very early on – not the case with most shows. Any time spent in the chapel helps. Walking through exits and entrances and working out where I can change costume. Still unsure about my voice and the volumn I have. I get very excited and shout. The Tech finished at a reasonable hour – around midnight. The lighting states had the minimal changes. All the action occurs with people moving through scenes – its all very fluid (or should be once we shave decent minutes off the currently-extended running time) and there are no blackouts. The pillars become trunks of trees and shadows look like the sun shining through branches. I like the atmosphere. We ran most of the play to get used to costumes and lights.
Tonight we did a full Dress run. Though it was raining so we performed the first 3 scenes indoors. It made them feel new and I think we were still adjusting to the new setting. Show didn't get off to the best start but we picked it up. The Mechanicals were fun and livelier than ever before (though still a long way to go) but the Lovers were more awkward. I was simply ticking boxes as Demetrius (or attempting to) and need to focus more on his objectives, what he really wants from other people and set about achieving it. Felt ok with the run. Its slow and choppy and of varying standards. Need to tighten each scene up and let it flow.
Whats new? We have scrolls for the players. We have a huge Ass's head. It feels very nice to stoke. We are all wearing sandals/flip-flops and running in them takes some getting used to. And we have our wonderful harp back. The music helps so much. I think its our secret weapon as far as the audience is concerned. There is a signature tune for Oberon and Titania which I love.
Tomorrow we do another Dress. Fortunately. Still time to get things right. Or make them better – there is no right or wrong.
Life has also been very hectic – lots of phone calls, a casting for an advert, ideas for plays, possible courses for working in Audio Description in theatre, remembering to eat, sleep… When we're running I can concentrate back on life for a bit.
