It is the evening before the first drama day at the Hayes. It is a lovely warm day, and I just hope it is the same tomorrow, so we can do some drama outside in the big green grassy garden. I have a shelf full of Sainsburys Basics food for lunch time and keep reminding myself not to lose the reciept because I need to claim the money from expenses!
The Hayes is a beautiful old house, and we are luckily able to use the biggest room, which is the size of a community hall, and opens onto the grounds. This will give us lots of space, as well as the peace and ambience the house is so famous and well loved for.
Most of the people who have expressed an interest were emailed yesterday, and although no-one has actually got back to me yet, many have already confirmed their attendance, so hopefully we get a good few people there. Three of the people who have expressed a definite interest in parts in the play won't be there, so we will merely become acquainted with the script without actually casting, as I had originally intended. As we have only 6 Drama Days before the performance, there is no time to be wasted!
Working with script will be a good experience for me, as I am used to the experimental/improvisational stuff that I've been doing with Konnektiv and did on the Dramatherapy Masters. I'm looking forward to the new challenge, and have already read through the play (a new play written by Beti Hand) 3 and a half times, so am becoming quite familiar with it. Each time I read it, different interpretations spring to mind. Are the characters basically naive? cruel? Is the play a dark gothic melodrama or a quaint English tea drama? What are the relationships between the individual characters? what are their hopes and fears? Lots of questions, no definite answers. And even if I do find an interpretation that I like, I am aware that the actors may hate my interpretation, being very attached to one of their own, which may again be completely different from the purpose of the writer, so a lot of negotiation will be needed. Ultimately, the actors will no doubt have the last say, as as they need to be comfortable with the role that they portray. After all, they are the ones getting on the stage in front of an audience and actually telling the story.
Many people who are coming along will not be acting, although they will be taking part in the drama workshops. Some will be helping back stage, getting props, finding bits of costume, producing sound effects etc, others will be busy making tea, designing and printing tickets and flyers, sweeping floors and handing out tissues to people becoming overwhelmed after having an 'artistic moment'. There will be lots of activity and it will be lots of fun. Next update tomorrow. Nervous? A bit!
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