Week 5, Part 2

There are good rehearsals and bad rehearsals. This week saw the best rehearsal we’ve had yet. Scenes that were causing difficulties suddenly clicked into place. The actors are more confident as a result of good discussion and the decisions made. The difference in performance is measureable. We also had a good week for camaraderie. And when that has taken hold, the whole project begins to really come together. Fear is replaced by frankness, nerves by a willingness to try anything. When is a cast gelling most obvious? When the rehearsal breaks down because of that line or expression that has everyone cracking up and takes forever to get through. It means everyone is relaxed in each other’s company. And it is priceless. So, too, was the laughter. If theatre had outtakes, it would be a cracker.

Confession time. When you write a script, make sure you know what you have written. It seems obvious but… A few weeks ago, one of the cast expressed a concern that within the timeline of the play, there was a running theme that was anachronistic – something said at the start which did not match with what was said later. My response, naturally, was that it was a deliberate decision, something which would allow the audience to appreciate a dual chronology. This week, while rehearsing a scene, I suddenly realised that said cast member was indeed correct. The line is completely anachronistic. And, while many may not even notice it, it needs to be fixed. Humble pie for me.