Well folks, with "Oliver!" and "The Complete History of Britain ... Almost!" out of the way and the new year just around the corner, stand clear for the launch of "Titanic".
We've got more auditions this week and at the beginning of the January 2008, we will hopefully have a full cast ready for a fantastic show in April 2008.
Woo hoo!
Monday, 17 December 2007
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
POST MONTY
I'm not sure where to start. Its all over. Months of rehearsals and hard work from everyone culminated in what felt like the shortest few days ever.
I feel quite emotional about it all actually. I knew I might feel a bit down after the natural high of a successful show with everyone, but certainly not to this extreme. Its back to the good ol 9-5.
For the past few weeks I have been going over the Monty script in my head, in chronological order, in an effort to drift off to sleep. I can't do that anymore. because there seems no point to it. The end goal to that task has disappeared.
It constantly amazes me how many people are happy to give up such large amounts of their social and family lives to help make a successful show. By the Thursday night it became clear that everyone on stage, back stage and even some pit members had been living and breathing Monty for weeks. And all concerned seem genuinely happy to be doing the job they had to do. When I think about it I am really proud to part of something like that, If one person hadn't done their specific job, it would have affected the whole show, and everyone involved.
I feel I've got to say how well Rich did. The transformation as he went through his baptism of fire was a real pleasure to watch. I hope this has proved what he is capable of both on and off stage. I also hope his experience has shown him that he can be accepted for himself, and not feel he has to hide who he is from a new set of friends.
Little Chris Fletcher also did a fantastic job as Nath. He seemed to know everyones lines in the run up to the show and was happy to quietly prompt us on stage (well, me actually!) His accent was spot on and I hope his friends and peers weren't too cruel to him about appearing on stage. I'm sure his time in the Monty has shown him that you don't have to be a screaming queen in a dress to appear on stage and enjoy yourself. Its only a shame that he didn't get to experience a proper backstage experience. After months in the rehearsal rooms with us all, he was whisked away once were in the theatre thanks to some great new labour militant childcare law. It seems crazy that he is allowed to be with us all throughout rehearsals, full of swearing and nudity - and then has to miss out all the banter and fun of backstage in the theatre. I understand the reasoning behind it, but its a real shame he then feels ostracised. One of the main reasons we all give up hours of spare time and social lives in doing any show is to forge new friendships and share all the good and bad times as a team.
I know some people were very wary of the casting for the show - (I must say I was amazed I got Jerry when you consider the singing talents of Adrian or Richard). However, I think in the end the whole cast were spot on. On a recent paramedic shift we went to a old dear who had broken her hip. She recognised me and said how impressed she was with the casting of the show. She commented on how everyone made the effort to characterize themselves, and mentioned Ben, Chris, Craig and Gary as individuals who obviously put a lot of time into their characters traits and actions. (Craig watching hours of Deputy Dawg for vocal coaching)
Although ignored by the press, and perhaps overlooked slightly by the Monty finale - the girls were fantastic. Sarah, Laura, Jax and Jude in particular were very supportive of all the guys as we ventured ever nearer to the great unveilling. (Which if we're honest we were all nervous about!) When is Laura going to go and do smothing with that fantastic voice of hers?
Anyway, I've probably missed off an enourmous amount of things - but a big thanks to all who helped make it such a memorable experience.
I needed to write all of this to get if of my chest. I appreciate that people won't really be looking at the blog now - but perhaps the mere fact of writing this has made things feel better.
Role on next year - when hopefully we might do it all again
B x
I feel quite emotional about it all actually. I knew I might feel a bit down after the natural high of a successful show with everyone, but certainly not to this extreme. Its back to the good ol 9-5.
For the past few weeks I have been going over the Monty script in my head, in chronological order, in an effort to drift off to sleep. I can't do that anymore. because there seems no point to it. The end goal to that task has disappeared.
It constantly amazes me how many people are happy to give up such large amounts of their social and family lives to help make a successful show. By the Thursday night it became clear that everyone on stage, back stage and even some pit members had been living and breathing Monty for weeks. And all concerned seem genuinely happy to be doing the job they had to do. When I think about it I am really proud to part of something like that, If one person hadn't done their specific job, it would have affected the whole show, and everyone involved.
I feel I've got to say how well Rich did. The transformation as he went through his baptism of fire was a real pleasure to watch. I hope this has proved what he is capable of both on and off stage. I also hope his experience has shown him that he can be accepted for himself, and not feel he has to hide who he is from a new set of friends.
Little Chris Fletcher also did a fantastic job as Nath. He seemed to know everyones lines in the run up to the show and was happy to quietly prompt us on stage (well, me actually!) His accent was spot on and I hope his friends and peers weren't too cruel to him about appearing on stage. I'm sure his time in the Monty has shown him that you don't have to be a screaming queen in a dress to appear on stage and enjoy yourself. Its only a shame that he didn't get to experience a proper backstage experience. After months in the rehearsal rooms with us all, he was whisked away once were in the theatre thanks to some great new labour militant childcare law. It seems crazy that he is allowed to be with us all throughout rehearsals, full of swearing and nudity - and then has to miss out all the banter and fun of backstage in the theatre. I understand the reasoning behind it, but its a real shame he then feels ostracised. One of the main reasons we all give up hours of spare time and social lives in doing any show is to forge new friendships and share all the good and bad times as a team.
I know some people were very wary of the casting for the show - (I must say I was amazed I got Jerry when you consider the singing talents of Adrian or Richard). However, I think in the end the whole cast were spot on. On a recent paramedic shift we went to a old dear who had broken her hip. She recognised me and said how impressed she was with the casting of the show. She commented on how everyone made the effort to characterize themselves, and mentioned Ben, Chris, Craig and Gary as individuals who obviously put a lot of time into their characters traits and actions. (Craig watching hours of Deputy Dawg for vocal coaching)
Although ignored by the press, and perhaps overlooked slightly by the Monty finale - the girls were fantastic. Sarah, Laura, Jax and Jude in particular were very supportive of all the guys as we ventured ever nearer to the great unveilling. (Which if we're honest we were all nervous about!) When is Laura going to go and do smothing with that fantastic voice of hers?
Anyway, I've probably missed off an enourmous amount of things - but a big thanks to all who helped make it such a memorable experience.
I needed to write all of this to get if of my chest. I appreciate that people won't really be looking at the blog now - but perhaps the mere fact of writing this has made things feel better.
Role on next year - when hopefully we might do it all again
B x
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
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Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Reply to Problems with the Trousers
In my defence ... it was the very first time we'd tried!!! And I notice Mr Leeke hasn't posted the video from later in the rehearsal when he was having a go at striping and too many clothes were coming off at once!! I bet we won't see site of that on the blog Benjamin!!!
Monday, 16 April 2007
Problem with the trousers!
Possibly the funniest moment of rehearsals happened last night. Watch the vid to see it. We may try and keep it in the show. My sides still hurt now from laughing so much!
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
BEN LEEKE CRUSHED BY PIANO
Intrepid photographer Mike Staiger catches the moment before impact
Ben Leeke, long time WODS member and beloved of some less well-known parts of Gloucestershire was badly injured last Wednesday when he was struck by a grand piano. He was rehearsing for WODS latest production, The Full Monty, when the piano, a Steinway concert grand, caught him just above the right temple. Fellow cast members immediately rushed to his aid. Fortunately his training as part of Upton's fire service enabled him to resuscitate himself within minutes causing only a minor delay to proceedings.
However, questions are now being asked at WODS highest levels. Spokesman Bruce Wyatt said "We are investigating the incident. Our rehearsal pianists, Mike Elden & Brian Giles, have categorically stated that they have never seen this piano before in their lives. We can only conclude an unknown third party with connections in the piano underworld must be to blame. We are pursuing other lines of enquiry"
Whoever is behind this heinous act, WODS rehearsals for The Full Monty are sure to be more tense affairs from now on with the message being, "The hole in the roof really is a bit big now".
Ben Leeke, long time WODS member and beloved of some less well-known parts of Gloucestershire was badly injured last Wednesday when he was struck by a grand piano. He was rehearsing for WODS latest production, The Full Monty, when the piano, a Steinway concert grand, caught him just above the right temple. Fellow cast members immediately rushed to his aid. Fortunately his training as part of Upton's fire service enabled him to resuscitate himself within minutes causing only a minor delay to proceedings.
However, questions are now being asked at WODS highest levels. Spokesman Bruce Wyatt said "We are investigating the incident. Our rehearsal pianists, Mike Elden & Brian Giles, have categorically stated that they have never seen this piano before in their lives. We can only conclude an unknown third party with connections in the piano underworld must be to blame. We are pursuing other lines of enquiry"
Whoever is behind this heinous act, WODS rehearsals for The Full Monty are sure to be more tense affairs from now on with the message being, "The hole in the roof really is a bit big now".
Monday, 19 March 2007
PAPARAZZI WAIT OUTSIDE BARBERS FOR CHRIS
With his new found fame, Chris Holloway has spawned a nation of dedicated fans, hell bent on spotting him when he's buying his microwaveable food or going for a short back and sides.
Along with fame comes the army of paps, in their branded clothes all waiting for that killer shot to pacify the hunger of Chris' dedicated fans.
I also have recently found myself hiding outside chris house waiting to see him through a high powered lens, only its attached to a high calibre Barrat M82 .50 sniper rifle.
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