The Beginning

It is 11.30 at night and here I am writing the first ever entry on this blog. I'm tired, it's been a long day and yet here I am hunched over my laptop, following strict orders from our director, Alastair Whatley. He says I must update this blog frequently and intelligently and try my hardest to give you just a little bit of an insight into what we are doing and how we are doing it.

We are currently rehearsing at a space in Forest Hill, south east London. The last few days have not been spent rehearsing as such, more preparing for what is to come over the next few weeks. Or maybe preparing is what rehearsing is. The actors have spent the majority of the past few days sitting round a table, picking through every part of Friel's rich and complex script. As they sit and read through it, they talk and pose questions to one and other which are then written down and stuck all over the walls. From what I have heard this has been not only immensly helpful to all involved but also incredibly nourishing and stimulating. We who deal with props and lights and that have had these three days to source the props which we will use in the play. A battery for the Marconi wireless, a wooden spinning top and whip, indian meal- the latter is not to be mistaken with the ready made korma variety which can be found in ASDA, Sainsburys and other major supermarkets. It is in fact a variety of flour though that is all I can tell you about it. We have bits of set up in the rehearsal space, lots of pots and pans, table and chairs and a panto stove which will almost certainly be replaced. In fact, a lot of what makes up the set or counts as props at this stage, will not make it to opening night. For now, it is just so the actors have things to hold and play around with so they can see what they like.
There has also been Irish dancing, well sort of... Alastair at least gave it a go. And the less said about Chris the better. As the actors now begin blocking, the process enters a new and even more exciting phase for all involved. I am very excited. H