Scripts down for the first time

A landmark occasion this evening: we ran Act 1 without scripts for the first time. Much chaos and humour ensued, but it was great to see the character interactions gain depth and the actors listening to each other. None of that happens from behind the barrier of a script. We plan to do the same on Wednesday and once the terror of being scriptless wears off a little the evening should run more smoothly.

However, the removal of the books also means the actor’s moves are gone as well. Martin Oakes (Lighting) was a confused person. He makes small diagrams of the actors’ positions on stage and where they move during the course of each page. The cast were wandering all over the place so concerned with remembering the lines that the correct moves were way beyond them. Martin’s rubber and pencil were worn out trying to keep up with them. It was tragic to watch, and worse knowing that he will be adjusting them back once the cast remember their moves as well as their lines.

We are enjoying the last week of being in the theatre with another company. The Playhouse Company are staging Jack the Ripper at the moment and we have shared their rehearsal nights and enjoyed the camaraderie. Next week onwards we have the theatre entirely to ourselves, as we are the last production on before the theatre refit. It’s going to be very lonely; a Marie Celeste experience. If we’re lucky we may see some of the maintenance crew preparing for the alterations so that we don’t feel like the last people left on earth.