Just had director her's translation of director him's notes from yesterday come over as a spreadsheet. You see it's not just past producer who knows how to do these things... I have had a bit of fun splashing pretty colours all over it, with the aim of making things clearer when matching up the smaller parts for casting. It's all more complicated now compared to when director him and I did our first versions. We were working on minimum numbers. Now it's all more fluid.
Forgot to mention that I watched Hogfather last night. Great job they made of it too. DEATH and Albert were excellent. Susan wasn't exactly as I had imagined, but she was very good nonetheless. Teatime's eyes were fabulous. I enjoyed the wizards although Stibbons looked a bit too much like Harry Potter for me - not a good thing. I hope Terry Pratchett was pleased with the end result and that the money for other projects becomes available. Hogfather was perfect for the first one, but there are plenty more where that came from which would translate to the screen very well.
Thought for the day: 'HO! HO! HO!' DEATH in Hogfather
Thursday, December 28
Not just lunch
Met director her and director him in the pub yesterday afternoon for a late lunch and planning session. Previous director was there too to ensure the ratio between the number of silly comments and sensible ones was kept as high as possible. Things like suggesting we should do Mort - The Musical. Well actually to drink beer, eat a burger and read the paper. Oh and to offer technical advice too.
It was very productive. After going through the play blow by blow we have now done the basic blocking and director her has an idea of some of the finer points of movement she will be looking for. The exact set details are still coming together and set man's advice will be needed on some of the finer details.
I said I wanted THE LIBRARY to run all the way down one side of our hall to the door. This would give us room for enough books going from the current ones right back to the ones which just say 'Ug'. We are having smaller tables this year to allow for the stage being extended into the audience. This should give us extra width to play with. Previous director said he wants walkways down both sides of the hall for the summer show... At least if we build one now for this show we can use it again next time.
We got through all the parts and calculated a minimum of ten people are required in addition to those playing the main eight roles. For future reference those main roles (people who will stay in these characters throughout) are Mort, DEATH, Albert, Ysabell, Cutwell, Keli, Doorknocker and Footnote. There are 20 other speaking roles, but some of those are only tiny parts in one scene so they will be doubled up to give people a fair crack of the whip. Just being cast as Cyrus the cess-pit cleaner, with a couple of lines in scene one (his only scene), and then playing a wedding guest or member of the conga line for the rest of the show would be a bit harsh.
There are some very good smaller parts which have one or two scenes for people to enjoy. Being cast as the Duke of Sto-Helit, Goodie Hamstring, the Abbott, Keeble, the High Priest, the Prince, the Vizier, the Town Crier or Rincewind would give a great chance for good characterisation. That's nine secondary roles for people to enjoy. Then doubling or trebling up other parts, maybe Lezek and the Landlord or Hrita, the Woman and the Acolyte for example would provide plenty of fun.
As director her said yesterday, we want people to have enough to do so that they don't get bored. I reckon the ideal number of people for the show would be 20-22 people. A few interesting names, some old, some new, are coming forward as people who might audition. Who knows. But I think that figure of 20-22 may well be around the number we actually get.
Director her and director him had already started discussing the format for the auditions. They don't want to restrict themselves to the sections that we have already selected, beyond an initial reading. There are individual characterisations which they will want to see for some of the parts, which is pretty logical. Casting someone as the High Priest or the Town Crier based on how they read the Mort or DEATH wouldn't be terribly precise.
Sadly though, I shall not be helping to cast the show as I am auditioning myself, but as a rule it is a fun process to go through, watching everyone try their hand at a variety of roles. Casting itself is tricky but entertaining, especially when you have to match people to two or three roles and have a choice between playing some parts as female or male. The only bad bit is having to tell everyone what part they have got - or haven't got. Honk! was OK, so was Snow White. Godspell was bad and Stags & Hens was a nightmare.
Director him and director her are hoping to get through it all in one hit a week from today so that we can swing into rehearsals from Monday Jan 8. Oh it's going to be fun.
Thought for the day: 'If you have a skeleton in the closet which you can't get rid of, you had best teach it to dance.' George Bernard Shaw.
It was very productive. After going through the play blow by blow we have now done the basic blocking and director her has an idea of some of the finer points of movement she will be looking for. The exact set details are still coming together and set man's advice will be needed on some of the finer details.
I said I wanted THE LIBRARY to run all the way down one side of our hall to the door. This would give us room for enough books going from the current ones right back to the ones which just say 'Ug'. We are having smaller tables this year to allow for the stage being extended into the audience. This should give us extra width to play with. Previous director said he wants walkways down both sides of the hall for the summer show... At least if we build one now for this show we can use it again next time.
We got through all the parts and calculated a minimum of ten people are required in addition to those playing the main eight roles. For future reference those main roles (people who will stay in these characters throughout) are Mort, DEATH, Albert, Ysabell, Cutwell, Keli, Doorknocker and Footnote. There are 20 other speaking roles, but some of those are only tiny parts in one scene so they will be doubled up to give people a fair crack of the whip. Just being cast as Cyrus the cess-pit cleaner, with a couple of lines in scene one (his only scene), and then playing a wedding guest or member of the conga line for the rest of the show would be a bit harsh.
There are some very good smaller parts which have one or two scenes for people to enjoy. Being cast as the Duke of Sto-Helit, Goodie Hamstring, the Abbott, Keeble, the High Priest, the Prince, the Vizier, the Town Crier or Rincewind would give a great chance for good characterisation. That's nine secondary roles for people to enjoy. Then doubling or trebling up other parts, maybe Lezek and the Landlord or Hrita, the Woman and the Acolyte for example would provide plenty of fun.
As director her said yesterday, we want people to have enough to do so that they don't get bored. I reckon the ideal number of people for the show would be 20-22 people. A few interesting names, some old, some new, are coming forward as people who might audition. Who knows. But I think that figure of 20-22 may well be around the number we actually get.
Director her and director him had already started discussing the format for the auditions. They don't want to restrict themselves to the sections that we have already selected, beyond an initial reading. There are individual characterisations which they will want to see for some of the parts, which is pretty logical. Casting someone as the High Priest or the Town Crier based on how they read the Mort or DEATH wouldn't be terribly precise.
Sadly though, I shall not be helping to cast the show as I am auditioning myself, but as a rule it is a fun process to go through, watching everyone try their hand at a variety of roles. Casting itself is tricky but entertaining, especially when you have to match people to two or three roles and have a choice between playing some parts as female or male. The only bad bit is having to tell everyone what part they have got - or haven't got. Honk! was OK, so was Snow White. Godspell was bad and Stags & Hens was a nightmare.
Director him and director her are hoping to get through it all in one hit a week from today so that we can swing into rehearsals from Monday Jan 8. Oh it's going to be fun.
Thought for the day: 'If you have a skeleton in the closet which you can't get rid of, you had best teach it to dance.' George Bernard Shaw.
Saturday, December 23
Christmas Interlude
Well this is it, the final pre-Christmas entry. Not a huge amount to add. Previous producer, who has knackered arm (see allaboutdick.blogspot.com), director her, previous director (well done again, you really have got the hang of this now) and set man are going to the hall tomorrow. Or rather that should be later today.
The blokes will be removing the banner for panto from across the front of the pub while the ladies put some costumes into the loft. Previous producer's dining room is filled with boxes and bags of costumes at the moment. There are a lot of costumes in a panto. Hmmmn.
Director her will be casting her eye over appropriate costumes for our show as she helps to get them in order in the loft. With director her and previous producer doing the costumes for Mort, the job is in safe hands. I'm glad it's not me. I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm quite good at knowing what I don't want. Summer producer, who has been costumier for my shows in the past would probably tell you that.
Anyway, director him has sent off the license application to Stephen Briggs, along with a nice fat cheque. It is all coming together as well as you could possibly hope two weeks before auditions.
I'll write more when secretary and I return from our Christmas jaunt. We're heading off westwards tomorrow (OK, OK, today) and I'm looking forward to it.
Thought for the day:
Driving home for Christmas
Chris Rea
The blokes will be removing the banner for panto from across the front of the pub while the ladies put some costumes into the loft. Previous producer's dining room is filled with boxes and bags of costumes at the moment. There are a lot of costumes in a panto. Hmmmn.
Director her will be casting her eye over appropriate costumes for our show as she helps to get them in order in the loft. With director her and previous producer doing the costumes for Mort, the job is in safe hands. I'm glad it's not me. I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm quite good at knowing what I don't want. Summer producer, who has been costumier for my shows in the past would probably tell you that.
Anyway, director him has sent off the license application to Stephen Briggs, along with a nice fat cheque. It is all coming together as well as you could possibly hope two weeks before auditions.
I'll write more when secretary and I return from our Christmas jaunt. We're heading off westwards tomorrow (OK, OK, today) and I'm looking forward to it.
Thought for the day:
Driving home for Christmas
Chris Rea
Friday, December 22
Cats and curry
DEATH likes cats and curry, and so do I. Funnily enough so does previous producer. I wonder whether it's a requirement of the job. We had a curry together last night. It was previous producer's husband's birthday.
Director her and previous director (yes they are, well done!), set man and box office were also there. As was a wide range of other lovely people. I could describe them in a variety of complex interconnected ways, but I think things are hard enough to understand without any further additions.
We went back to previous producer's house for coffee afterwards. She has a cat. It behaves like it's DEATH's cat. No, that's not fair. If DEATH had a cat it would be much nicer than that. In fact this cat would probably scare DEATH. Secretary gets so frightened of it that every time we go round to the house she will not go to the loo in case the cat is sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for her.
Secretary and I don't have a cat. I try to have extra curry to make up for it though. Secretary wants a dog. She grew up with one. I grew up with a cat. Well 25 cats to be precise. Not all at the same time mind you. A mother and a succession of six litters, one of three kittens, four of four and one of five.
Last night was good. Director her and I tried to have a private production conversation as everyone was leaving the curry house, but didn't get very far. She has decided that auditions for DEATH should take place with a mask on though. Very sensible really. That's how the person doing the part will have to perform on the night. If you are claustrophobic do not apply!
Last time I played DEATH, very briefly in Wyrd Sisters, the combination of clothing and face masks that I wore meant that for that one scene I couldn't see anything. At least it was only for one scene. We have better plans this time.
I got a Christmas card from director her and previous director last night. There was a DVD inside. Hogfather. I missed it. Now I can watch it. I love director her, she's my bestest friend. Actually director him offered me a copy too and then emailed me to say it is on again over Christmas, but secretary and I will be at producer's parents (nooooo! stoppit!) sorry producer's parents (thank you!) over the hols. They do not have Sky so that one's out.
Director him has also been emailing out audition pieces for everyone in CAST so that we are all set for Jan 4. Producer, director her and director him are having another pub lunch, I mean production meeting, next Wednesday to make sure everything is in hand for the auditions, so more of that then. I may add more here tonight, but otherwise this will be the last piece until then. Not only do producer's parents not have Sky, they do not have a computer. Well, actually....... Merry Christmas.
Thought for the day:
"So here it is Merry Christmas,
Everybody's having fun,
Look to the future now,
It's only just begun."
Those seasonal fun-loving party boys Slade
Director her and previous director (yes they are, well done!), set man and box office were also there. As was a wide range of other lovely people. I could describe them in a variety of complex interconnected ways, but I think things are hard enough to understand without any further additions.
We went back to previous producer's house for coffee afterwards. She has a cat. It behaves like it's DEATH's cat. No, that's not fair. If DEATH had a cat it would be much nicer than that. In fact this cat would probably scare DEATH. Secretary gets so frightened of it that every time we go round to the house she will not go to the loo in case the cat is sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for her.
Secretary and I don't have a cat. I try to have extra curry to make up for it though. Secretary wants a dog. She grew up with one. I grew up with a cat. Well 25 cats to be precise. Not all at the same time mind you. A mother and a succession of six litters, one of three kittens, four of four and one of five.
Last night was good. Director her and I tried to have a private production conversation as everyone was leaving the curry house, but didn't get very far. She has decided that auditions for DEATH should take place with a mask on though. Very sensible really. That's how the person doing the part will have to perform on the night. If you are claustrophobic do not apply!
Last time I played DEATH, very briefly in Wyrd Sisters, the combination of clothing and face masks that I wore meant that for that one scene I couldn't see anything. At least it was only for one scene. We have better plans this time.
I got a Christmas card from director her and previous director last night. There was a DVD inside. Hogfather. I missed it. Now I can watch it. I love director her, she's my bestest friend. Actually director him offered me a copy too and then emailed me to say it is on again over Christmas, but secretary and I will be at producer's parents (nooooo! stoppit!) sorry producer's parents (thank you!) over the hols. They do not have Sky so that one's out.
Director him has also been emailing out audition pieces for everyone in CAST so that we are all set for Jan 4. Producer, director her and director him are having another pub lunch, I mean production meeting, next Wednesday to make sure everything is in hand for the auditions, so more of that then. I may add more here tonight, but otherwise this will be the last piece until then. Not only do producer's parents not have Sky, they do not have a computer. Well, actually....... Merry Christmas.
Thought for the day:
"So here it is Merry Christmas,
Everybody's having fun,
Look to the future now,
It's only just begun."
Those seasonal fun-loving party boys Slade
Tuesday, December 19
Frightening really
I finished the last entry, posted it and then signed out. I then spent the next few minutes searching Terry Pratchett related sites for possible book signings for us to visit and visiting the NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) website for future productions of Mort. The last tour was in the spring and the only production is ours. Not a great result then.
So I go back to my email inbox... and there, staring out at me is an email from previous producer to set man, director him, director her and producer giving details of the props we already have and how we can source the rest. Scary, scary, scary.
Previous producer works at triple speed. Maybe it's drugs. Or maybe I'm hallucinating. No! It's all happening because I'm such a tip-top producer and allocated all those responsibilities so early on. That's it. Phew.
Director him has also sent through an email conversation he has had about tables. As we will be serving food during the interval people need somewhere to eat. Everyone likes to have somewhere to put their drink. It makes for a great atmosphere too. We first did it for Stags & Hens back in 2004 and have done it for the spring play each year since. This year we are having to get slightly smaller tables than before in order to allow for a bigger stage, but it should work OK. Interestingly, it tends to encourage people to sort out their own block bookings as they want a table exclusively for their own friends. When they are sitting in rows people tend to care less.
Thought for the day: "Faster than a ray of light, she's flying." Ray Of Light - Madonna
So I go back to my email inbox... and there, staring out at me is an email from previous producer to set man, director him, director her and producer giving details of the props we already have and how we can source the rest. Scary, scary, scary.
Previous producer works at triple speed. Maybe it's drugs. Or maybe I'm hallucinating. No! It's all happening because I'm such a tip-top producer and allocated all those responsibilities so early on. That's it. Phew.
Director him has also sent through an email conversation he has had about tables. As we will be serving food during the interval people need somewhere to eat. Everyone likes to have somewhere to put their drink. It makes for a great atmosphere too. We first did it for Stags & Hens back in 2004 and have done it for the spring play each year since. This year we are having to get slightly smaller tables than before in order to allow for a bigger stage, but it should work OK. Interestingly, it tends to encourage people to sort out their own block bookings as they want a table exclusively for their own friends. When they are sitting in rows people tend to care less.
Thought for the day: "Faster than a ray of light, she's flying." Ray Of Light - Madonna
Props, car boots and eBay
Director him has just sent through a list of the props for Mort to set man, previous producer, producer and director her. For this show, officially set man is doing props. In reality he will be assisted by previous producer. The two of them make an impressive double act. This is why director him has written "I have included you in this email as your wealth of knowledge could be useful for any ideas you have" in his email to us all.
Given that we are an amateur group with a limited budget for each show (I'll talk about charities and sponsorship some other time) we try to do everything on the cheap. Set man and previous producer have developed a skill for finding items for next to nothing. Sometimes this is on the web (I know previous producer has already been looking for hourglasses) and more often it is by trawling the car boot sales of southern England. Anywhere within about a 30 mile radius of Colnbrook village (outside London) is a possible target for the two of them. Hockey sticks and tennis racquets for Moby Dick - The Musical were the start of it and it has progressed alarmingly from there.
The value of these items is, of course, whatever a buyer will pay. That is why after shows previous producer has often managed to make a tidy profit for the group selling items on to other people via eBay. It's time-consuming, involving late nights in front of a lap top, but proves financially useful as it ultimately increases the cash in our coffers and bumps up the amount we can give to charity.
Thought for the day: "Charity begins at home." Old proverb. For your interest, the idea can be found in the Bible but not the words. In the 14th Century John Wycliffe wrote: 'Charity should begin at himself.' It was actually 500 years later when good old Charlie Dickens said that 'Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.' Read this blog for long enough and you will learn a lot, mark my words.
Given that we are an amateur group with a limited budget for each show (I'll talk about charities and sponsorship some other time) we try to do everything on the cheap. Set man and previous producer have developed a skill for finding items for next to nothing. Sometimes this is on the web (I know previous producer has already been looking for hourglasses) and more often it is by trawling the car boot sales of southern England. Anywhere within about a 30 mile radius of Colnbrook village (outside London) is a possible target for the two of them. Hockey sticks and tennis racquets for Moby Dick - The Musical were the start of it and it has progressed alarmingly from there.
The value of these items is, of course, whatever a buyer will pay. That is why after shows previous producer has often managed to make a tidy profit for the group selling items on to other people via eBay. It's time-consuming, involving late nights in front of a lap top, but proves financially useful as it ultimately increases the cash in our coffers and bumps up the amount we can give to charity.
Thought for the day: "Charity begins at home." Old proverb. For your interest, the idea can be found in the Bible but not the words. In the 14th Century John Wycliffe wrote: 'Charity should begin at himself.' It was actually 500 years later when good old Charlie Dickens said that 'Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.' Read this blog for long enough and you will learn a lot, mark my words.
Monday, December 18
This sort of thing can happen
CAST is a pretty close knit community. Some would say incestuous. There is a social life to be enjoyed by anyone who joins - some official CAST events, others off the cuff ones. For me though, the most important part of that social life is the one I have developed with little groups of people I have met through the group or who I knew before and have joined as well.
The most obvious part of this is that I met secretary when we both turned up to do Grease. It took us nine years to get married, but when we did there were two tables of CAST members and their families. My best man was someone I knew pretty well before I joined, but our friendship grew under the spotlights when he came down too.
You will find different groups appear as part of one person or another's birthday celebrations. Some are part of an irregular drinking clan. Some play football together. SIx of us travel to European football cities in search of perfection.
So having read this it will probably not surprise you to learn that on Saturday night producer, secretary, box office, set man, summer producer and others went to see summer director perform with her all girl vocal trio at a pub in west Berkshire.
Meanwhile, previous producer was out with producer geezer celebrating his birthday along with numerous others including previous director and director her (you've remembered they're married - well done! I can see you are getting the hang of this..) discussing many of the same things.
Those same things being... the show after this one... and the show after that. But it gets worse. Hold onto your underpants, because this bit gets quite tricky. For the next show producer and previous director are coming together to be co-directors. For the show after that box office is going to be director and secretary will be producer. See what I mean about incestuous?
Anyway, on the way back from the west Berkshire trip (a very good night, with lovely food, excellent beer, fine entertainment and great company, it has to be said) producer got a text message from previous producer. To precis, it said previous director had asked previous producer to be producer of the next show.
Now you know what I have said about previous producer already. I no longer feel I have to justify any of my comments. After a phone call it transpired that previous producer had not been drunk at the time of saying yes but was now. Two subsequent nonsensical texts also proved it to be the case.
Producer has a bit of a track record for this sort of thing, having managed, as director and producer (and writer) of Snow White & The Seven Dwarves a few years back, to acquire a co-director/co-producer while she was drunk at her birthday party. The fact that she also was the choreographer and played the leading role gives a suggestion of just how successful that little exercise was.
But today, nothing. All is quiet on the eastern, western, northern and southern fronts. Not a single email relating to anything about CAST. Not even remotely. Not even from anyone who once was a memeber but isn't involved any more. And believe me it's bliss. For once there is no connection and there is a chance to breath in deeply and relax. What a nice feeling.
Thought for the day: "Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright..." Rather nice chill-out carol
The most obvious part of this is that I met secretary when we both turned up to do Grease. It took us nine years to get married, but when we did there were two tables of CAST members and their families. My best man was someone I knew pretty well before I joined, but our friendship grew under the spotlights when he came down too.
You will find different groups appear as part of one person or another's birthday celebrations. Some are part of an irregular drinking clan. Some play football together. SIx of us travel to European football cities in search of perfection.
So having read this it will probably not surprise you to learn that on Saturday night producer, secretary, box office, set man, summer producer and others went to see summer director perform with her all girl vocal trio at a pub in west Berkshire.
Meanwhile, previous producer was out with producer geezer celebrating his birthday along with numerous others including previous director and director her (you've remembered they're married - well done! I can see you are getting the hang of this..) discussing many of the same things.
Those same things being... the show after this one... and the show after that. But it gets worse. Hold onto your underpants, because this bit gets quite tricky. For the next show producer and previous director are coming together to be co-directors. For the show after that box office is going to be director and secretary will be producer. See what I mean about incestuous?
Anyway, on the way back from the west Berkshire trip (a very good night, with lovely food, excellent beer, fine entertainment and great company, it has to be said) producer got a text message from previous producer. To precis, it said previous director had asked previous producer to be producer of the next show.
Now you know what I have said about previous producer already. I no longer feel I have to justify any of my comments. After a phone call it transpired that previous producer had not been drunk at the time of saying yes but was now. Two subsequent nonsensical texts also proved it to be the case.
Producer has a bit of a track record for this sort of thing, having managed, as director and producer (and writer) of Snow White & The Seven Dwarves a few years back, to acquire a co-director/co-producer while she was drunk at her birthday party. The fact that she also was the choreographer and played the leading role gives a suggestion of just how successful that little exercise was.
But today, nothing. All is quiet on the eastern, western, northern and southern fronts. Not a single email relating to anything about CAST. Not even remotely. Not even from anyone who once was a memeber but isn't involved any more. And believe me it's bliss. For once there is no connection and there is a chance to breath in deeply and relax. What a nice feeling.
Thought for the day: "Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright..." Rather nice chill-out carol
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