Eeeeeeek! Only a few more days until our opening night, and my word, that is an alarming, yet thrilling, thought!  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsal process; it’s absolutely flown by – time flies when you’re having fun, I’ll tell ye! Because it’s been a relatively short rehearsal period, I’m almost saddened by the thought that it’s coming to an end, as I’ve only ever performed shows for a week or less. But I keep forgetting that it’s actually running for a few weeks, and therefore this is a whole new ball game for me.  So, no tears yet!!

Over the next few days I’m going to concentrate on the deeper, more emotional moments for my characters.  There is one scene in particular which is completely heart-rending and poignant.  The concept of having to give up her daughter beacuse she can’t afford to look after her is something I’ve never experienced and hope to never have to, so I need to just think about what must be going through my character’s head at that point in time, the will and counter will being played etc.  She’s typically a very strong, valorous character in the play, but here I think she must have to show a tiny ray of weakness because she doesn’t want to have to go through it at all.  However, she has guts and she knows what’s best for her child and so she makes the right decision.  The stakes are so high for her here, and for Burns, and I just need to think about them more.

Another character that still needs a bit of work is Mary Campbell (Highland Mary).  I just need to take her further, think about how she is different from Anna Park; what is her rhythm, her physicality in contrast to that of Anna?  I realise I’m making it sound like there’s still so much to be done and it’s only a few days before lift off, but that’s not the case at all!  I think it’s just because I have four very contrasting characters, none of which the audience get to see for very long or feel like they get to know well enough, so it’s simply a case of portraying all the different sides, dimensions and idiosyncrasies pertaining to each character fully – nevermind successfully!

I’m really enjoying performing my two solo songs and feel I’m coming into them more now.  They’re both challenging, but the more I perform them the more confidence I gain and therefore the more rewarding the experience becomes.

All in all, I believe the show has tremendous potential, and I have complete faith that the audiences will adore it!  There are some beautifully moving moments, full of poignancy and truth, which is well counter-balanced by the Laugh Out Loud comedy.  It’s a real gem of a show and I think we now just need to let it sparkle and soar, and it’ll be fantastic!!

Jennifer Macdonnell