Cardiff

This week we have been at the wonderful New Theatre in Cardiff. As a welshy (well, a passionate half) it was great to be back and catch up with some long lost relatives along the way.

It has been yet another very busy week. We arrived on Tuesday afternoon to check out the space and run scenes in our new environment. Like the Grand in Blackpool, the New Theatre has a raked stage, so manoeuvring the swing door in the scene changes could prove...challenging. I think I only tripped on it twice this week, result!

On Wednesday, we had our first Understudy run! Everyone did so well. We were very pleased to have got through it for the first time and to have grasped some idea of our alternative tracks through the play. Jon Smith played a spellbinding Berard and Sarah Jayne Dunn's Marguerite was truly heartfelt, but Malcolm James' Lucien Le Brun took first prize.

....which brings me neatly to this week's video - Lucien Le Brun giving us a backstage tour of the New Theatre.

In the play, as some of you know, Lucien Le Brun is the leader of the workers who are striking. Isabelle's husband is a factory owner and has "brought in a whole host of modern machines" threatening the livelihoods of many of these workers. Isabelle faces a major moral dilemma and tries to help Lucien by taking him food for his family. Although Lucien does not say anything in the play, his walk on is central to the storytelling. In this tour you will not only get to see backstage, but see just how Lucien's off stage life is blossoming...

(He is French, but apparently his father is Russian.)


Lucien Tour Part 1...

Lucien Tour Part 2...

Blackpool!

This week we have been at the beautiful Grand Theatre, Blackpool. It is absolutely stunning and we were very sad to say goodbye. We had an awesome week - amidst 7 shows we fitted in Ballroom dancing, karaoke, an amazing meal at Blackpool Football Club, Badminton, understudy rehearsals, trips up the Blackpool tower, more dancing and more karaoke.

Let's start with Culture...

 Extra curricular Blackpool...

   

We stayed at the amazing White Moon Hotel run by the legend that is Babs. If you're ever in Blackpool, stay there. There isn't a breakfast to match it. :-) Next stop, High Wycombe!

Our first move!

This week we have been at the wonderful Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. It is significantly bigger than Basingstoke, so our first challenge was adapting to the space accordingly - working out exactly how much more space we had to fly the remote control aeroplanes. It turns out size isn’t everything – it got stuck in the ceiling on its maiden voyage.

Onwards and upwards we went (or not, in the case of the aeroplane) working scenes in the new venue and discovering the luxury of space Stage Left! - hugely helping speedy costume changes. It was also lovely to welcome Lauren to SL. She’ll always help you out if you don’t have enough water in your bowl...

This week, the characters of Lucien and Lucille have blossomed. (They can be found on twitter @HungryLucien and @lucille_du_pain) Lucien becomes ever more prominent with each show and there really aren’t any words to describe the power brought to the scene by his presence and facial expressions. Despite his success, Lucien’s marriage to Lisette is fraught. I presume, although perhaps out of turn, that the reason is because he keeps selling their children. Read next week’s blog to see whether or not they work it out.

Lucien after an intense discussion with Lisette

Lucille is a whole other kettle of fish. We’re lucky if she makes it onto the stage for having consumed too much wine. The question on everyone’s lips is; is she walking to or from the bar? Having inspected her twitter followers, I feel there really may be a problem...

After a few failed attempts at going out in Coventry,  Sarah Jayne Dunn hosted a fantabulous evening at her abode in which we ate, drank and danced the night away. Next time just watch out for the door frames.

Next we go to the Grand Theatre, Blackpool! Tune in next week to see how Lucille, Lucien and the rest of the cast fare in the city of bright lights and roller-coasters <<< I feel a B Witched song coming on.....X