Round The Twist: Confession

I have a confession to make. I...I have... I have never... worked at Christmas before. I've always missed the casting, which often takes place very early in the year. I've wanted to work on a Christmas show ever since I left Guildhall, but the opportunity hasn't arisen. Until now! And what a wonderful Christmas show to start with!
 
We have just finished the first of 3 rehearsal weeks. Rehearsals seem pretty similar no matter where you work: you read through the play, then work it through slowly, scene-by-scene, then work scenes in more detail without scripts, and then you start running scenes together.
 
Ivan, the director, encourages a very collaborative atmosphere, and we have all pitched in with suggestions as we begin getting our heads round the deliciously written and very funny script.
 
In fact, the script spoils us for choice: we have a little too much material, and some of it must come out. I've learned a lot by watching how Ivan and the more experienced members of the company have suggested cuts, and suggested some myself. Some? Well, actually I've suggested a lot. I figure I'll learn most about cutting a play if I suggest every potential cut I notice, and remember which get accepted, and which rejected, and why. Besides, I have a lot of lines :-P .
 
Eastern Angles has a schedule that, unlike anywhere else I've worked, allows actors to rehearse in the theatre space. And we already have half the set to rehearse with. I haven't played in traverse for a while, and never a comedy before (though I've come close-ish at the Mill at Sonning). For this reason I've found getting into the space this early very useful. I don't know, yet, the best places to face when delivering a punch line, for example, or how much you need to play out when you have audience on both sides. I shall beaver away by myself at this for a couple more days, then I shall pump the older members of the company for information.
 
I watch any actor older than me pretty closely. The older the actor, the more concentrated the technique, and the more you learn by watching what they do and having a go yourself. I once heard, but couldn't see, a 70-year-old actress getting 7 laughs, and 2 rounds of applause, just by coming on with a serving trolley. She opened the show. I stood in the wings behind a closed door, and couldn't work out what the hell she was doing. (I got the truth out of her a couple of years later, but she has sworn me to secrecy.)
 
(The Tribal Elders also know the taboos. The theatres in Britain have quite a definite subculture, which you don't really learn about until you start working in some of them. You can speed your enculturation by hanging around whoever has worked the longest.)
 
Songs! I haven't had a solo for years, and I love the one I've got in this show. I've never got to sing anything like it before.
 
Costumes. I feel very jealous of a wire-based item which Gabby will get to model for you all, should you come and see the show.
 
Steampunk! Just wait til you see our set.
 
Ale! Drink of the week: Adnams' Explorer.