First week back! - Glasgow

We have spent our first week back after Easter at the wonderful King's Theatre, Glasgow and I couldn't think of a better place to kick off the second leg of our tour. At our largest venue yet, hitting the ground running was the order of the day.

We began the week with a line run - a wise decision after a week off - and with only a few minor hiccoughs, made it through! Returning to the stage that night, I think we all felt more secure in the knowledge we had run it once. It's fascinating how only a week away can instil such fear. Despite having done the play over 70 times, allowing your brain to acknowledge that you've had a week off can convince you you'll make a mistake. Luckily, we seemed to keep these demons at bay and return with an exciting and pacey show - our quickest yet!

Due to the exceptional planning of this week's Social Secretary, Mr Tim Speechley, we have had wall to wall entertainment and attained fun points galore. As the week progressed and we settled back into the show, we explored Glasgow and beyond. Tuesday was beautiful and Sarah and I made the most of the day by visiting the Butterfly and Pig for Lunch...

Great Food, great service, witty menu (so much so we requested to take one home) and Tea Rooms with cake upstairs - which turns into a bar at night! A perfect venue methinks and one I would thoroughly recommend. Tim arranged some great evening entertainment, whisking us off to the Polo Lounge and The Corinthian, both of which guarantee a great night out.

One of my highlights this week has to be visiting Loch Lomond - the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain. We got the train to Balloch (about 40 mins from Glasgow) and ventured out on an hour long boat trip. Despite the mist, it was beautiful and fascinating to hear its history. I attempted to educate Liam by passing on my extensive knowledge of the Loch (in French as well as in English) but for some reason he finished the trip none the wiser. V strange.

The River Leven leading into Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

360 View!

This week saw our first Understudies go on. Sadly, Charlie really wasn't well so Tim Van Eyken went on as Tipper and Alastair Whatley played Evans.

Tim VE as Tipper

Alastair as Evans

It is always sad when someone goes off but the whole company came together and made it work. It is a very hard show when it comes to understudying because it is not simply playing another character, but doing their entire track - set changes and all! As you have read on previous blogs, the play is structured around Stephen's memories so there is much flashing back and forth - suggested primarily through us moving furniture. Everyone worked together to make sure they not only knew when they were on but exactly what they were moving and when! By Saturday night, all was back to normal and Alastair bought us a Giant Easter Egg to celebrate...

which Poppy then smashed...

which was very sad for a moment...then we ate it ;-)

All in all a challenging but great first week back. Next week we go to Derby, check back on Sunday to see how we get on. :-)

Ipswich - Sebastian visits the set!

As we experience a week away from the show on our Easter Break, I reflect on our journey so far. It is remarkable how quickly this first leg of the tour has gone. We opened in Basingstoke at the end of January with an epic journey ahead of us. When embarking on a 6 month tour, there are a number of concerns felt, I would imagine, by most actors; How are we going to keep the show fresh for over 200 performances? How much, within the restraints of the direction, should I experiment with what I am doing? How much will my character change? How much should it change? In these circumstances, I think one can only really conquer it by taking one step at a time.

A few members of the company recently took part in a "Google Hangout" which is effectively a live facetime (Skype), during which we spoke to the South Hill Park Theatre in Bracknell, which we will be visiting in April. During this, we were asked how we prevent the work from going stale. This made me think exactly how I attempt to tackle this. This is the longest tour I have ever done so it was always going to be a challenge, but I think huge credit has to go to our director, Alastair. From the start of rehearsals, he has always encouraged us to take each scene, each moment at a time. It is very easy to rush ahead of yourself and worry about the next scene or the next costume change but all that has ever done for me is stress me out and completely take me out of the present. Whilst this is a lot easier said than done, a tour like this gives you the time to really focus on it as purely the number of times you've performed it gives you a confidence that you do know the lines/arcs through the scenes, and trusting that can give you enormous freedom to explore in the moment. However, the theatre works in mysterious ways and all it takes sometimes is a bit too much adrenaline and all this "logical" thought goes straight out the window! But that itself can do wonders for keeping things fresh! In conclusion, I think it is an ongoing challenge.


Our Google Hangout

Touch Tour

As well as experiencing my first Google Hangout this week, I also took part in my first touch tour. This is where some members of the cast and the Director introduce the set and costumes to people who wouldn't necessarily be able to experience the play in the same way as a lot of others. The main reason for this being severely impaired or loss of sight. As we each explained our characters and journeys through the play, they were able to touch the costumes and get an idea of what they look like. Alastair then gave them a tour of the set, explaining what each section represents, whilst getting them to feel the different textures. It is a very textured set with many different materials used, so I would imagine it is a good set to build a picture of through touch.

Touch Tour

Help for Heroes Bear dropped into the Tour to say hello!

Fun Points

This week, we embarked on our most ambitious fun point attaining mission yet - Go Karting. Fun points needed - 10. Did we achieve it? Yeeeeees! Bets were placed, safety videos watched and many a competitive word exchanged. But it all came down to the race...who would hold their nerve and who would crumble under the pressure?!
I am sure it comes as no surprise to hear that Alastair came first with the fastest lap time. There was a dispute over second and third (Bull...) but fun was had by all, regardless of yet more ridiculous headwear.

G Moss, Me, Charlie, Tim T, Alastair, Tim VE

Oh dear.

For extra points on Saturday, Original Theatre's own Tom Hackney (affectionately known as Pig) dropped in to see the show! It was his birthday this week so I gave him a Cadbury's Creme Egg and some Cheese. Top present I thought.

Tom. I.

Backstage Tour with Sebastian Faulks

With all this excitement, I suppose you think we've peaked...well not quite! On Thursday, none other than the man himself, Sebastian Faulks, dropped by not only to see the show, but for a Tour of the Birdsong Set! Costumes, Quick Changes, Understudies and Ashtrays, it's all here...

http://vimeo.com/63110065



Happy Easter!

Plymouth - Dressing Room to Curtain Call

This week we have been at the wonderful and luxuriously spacious Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Having tackled the show minus swing door and DSR arch last week, it was comforting to find, on arrival at the theatre, that they had been restored to their rightful places.

Not only have we been spoilt with space onstage, but backstage we really could have set up a Benchball tournament. (If you didn't see previous Benchball video, do take a look, you won't be disappointed :-)

Backstage Sports Arena

We've had sunny strolls down the seafront, excursions up Smeaton's Tower and a lovely (thoroughly recommended) lunch at The Refectory Bar. With 8 shows, Understudy rehearsals and the rebirth of 9 square, we've had a very jolly old time.

View from the Citadel

This week I thought I would take you on my personal journey through the play. You could say my main role is Lisette Azaire, but I also play the Prostitute as well as the integral "Set Wench." (A character created purely for set moving purposes, but one with an extensive backstory.) Many of us play more than one character, so have a less than straightforward journey through the play. When starting out in Basingstoke, there was often a confused actor in the wings wondering quite who they were appearing on stage as next, and with what piece of furniture. The reason for this being that we, as our characters, move the furniture to aid the transitions from one world into another. If you have seen the production, you will know that it is structured as a memory play; moving from 1916 back to 1910 throughout all of Act 1. What we have tried to do is make the transitions as much part of each scene as possible by moving the set in character aided by appropriate music, sound effects and lighting.


MY TIMELINE FOR A 7.30pm SHOW

18:00 - I arrive at the theatre!

HELLO DRESSING ROOM

18:07 - Having had a brew, us girlies start hair and make up (a tricky and time consuming business.)

Poppy, Polly, Sarah, Emily

18.20 - Having curled my hair, Sarah then comes and plaits it for me. Some much needed Mother/Daughter time before the show :-)

18.30 - WARM-UP. A call is put out to our dressing rooms summoning us to the stage for the 20 minute warm up, led by the lovely Tim VE. Sometimes we do a straight vocal session, sometimes Poppy will start with yoga and if we have time, we often play a concentration game at the end. Not only is it practical in terms of preparing to go on stage, but it is an important time for us to come together as a cast before the show.

18.50 - The half. This is the time when the stage has to be cleared as front of house is about to start letting the audience in. We will get another call come through to the dressing room along the lines of "The house is now open. The house is now open, please do not cross the stage."

19.15 - By this time, all going well, we are ready to go down to the stage. I begin the show as "Set Wench" and have my first appearance with Poppy so we are normally milling about Stage Left going through our lines and double checking we have everything we need to start the show.

Me and Poppy preparing for the show to start

1) Pheeeww - First set change done. Liam, Emily and I now have some quality time Stage Left before Set Change number 2.

Polly, Liam, Emily ;-)

2) Set Change number 2 - operation remove gramophone...

Pheeww, I didn't drop it.

3) 2 Set Changes done - now Lisette time! Sarah is there to help me zip up, a tricky business.

Once safely in Lisette dress, I help Charlie and Josh with their quick change before preparing for transition into first French memory scene (during which I run on with this chair and chase Charlie off in a rather competitive game of tag) We then run on a few lines later to play the scene. These touches do help us get into character - especially when I catch him, ha!

4) Having set, played and exited the scene, I then run on to remove said chair, whilst scene moves back to 1916.

5) Next stop - Azaire drawing room. I have a very special connection with this chair as over the next half an hour I place and strike (remove) it rather a lot. In fact a great deal of my stage time involves setting this chair. It is also rather comfy should one need to take a load off.

Me and my chair

6) With drawing room chair suitably placed and struck, it is now time for water gardens scene...so I shoot off round the back to Stage Right to find picnic basket. Whilst some props are edible, sadly the scones are not :-(

7) Water gardens done and wooden figure acquired ;-) it is now time for transition back into Azaire drawing room. This time it is not chair that needs setting, but table...

8) Scene done and Stephen's hand suitably dressed ;-) it is now time to change into prostitute whilst setting Lisette costume for my quick change straight afterwards...

Lisette prepared...

Prostitute ready...

9) Prostitute done. Quick change done. Now time for Lisette scene...

10) Lisette scene done. Now a mini break (bout 10 mins) before we come down to accompany letter writing scene. Although we've done it over 60 times now, this never seems to lose its poignancy. It is one of the few moments in the show when things backstage are not manic as everyone is involved in either the scene or the offstage singing. It is very much an ensemble moment.


11) Singing done, it is now time for the reveal scene where I again bring on my trusty drawing room chair. Once scene is complete, I strike chair and that is me done for Act 1!

21.00(ish) - INTERVAL

Time to touch up make up, grab a drink, (maybe a biscuit...) and get back into "Set Wench" in preparation for Act 2 - which is somewhat calmer for me as I have a bit more time between scenes/set changes...

1) On as SW for transition out of bar scene...

2) Quick change into Lisette for super slick set change with Malcolm - we have it down to a fine art ;-)

3) Change into Prostitute for Ghosts Singing Scene...

Caught slightly off guard...

4) Back into Lisette for memory scene...

5) 22.10 - On for the Curtain Call!

Empty auditorium. Until tomorrow night....

22.20 - Once speedily out of costume, it is off to the bar for a wee snifter before bed. zzzzzzzzzz

Next week we are at The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich for the last venue before our week off - time flies when you're having fun! I am told a certain Mr Faulks is due to drop in so this time I will be sure to get a pic! Until then X

Southend

This week we have been at the Palace Theatre, Southend. It has been a week of many challenges: Who can attain the most fun points in Southend? How many hours can one human being spend in a casino? But most importantly; how do we adjust the set to fit the smallest stage yet?

The Palace Theatre has a much shallower stage than those we have performed on so far, which meant significant changes had to be made. Below is a picture of the full set at the Wycombe Swan. 

This week, the Down Stage Right arch had to be removed, as well as our treasured swing door which is normally Down Stage Left. The door provides a quick and simple way of moving between the war and the memory scenes; one side representing the door into the Azaire house, the other depicting the world of the War. It of course affects the play when things like this are changed or taken away, but the challenge is always to find a way around it and ultimately make it work which, fingers crossed, we did! Another feature of the Palace is that it has a pretty steep rake! It is very easy to lose one's balance when one is not used to it, and manoeuvering a Chaise Longue (Josh and Polly) can prove a very difficult challenge...by the end of the week though, we had it down...

Look at that rake! And Stage Left, minus the door :-(

Alastair and Lauren model our lone arch Stage Right

In preparation for these changes, we all arrived at the theatre early on Tuesday to run the usual scenes for space and lighting, but also to run scene changes that would be affected by the alterations. With only a few minor traffic jams and the odd loss of balance, we got through the first show relatively unscathed!


On Wednesday, Josh and Liam went on an expedition to gain 30 fun points. Perhaps judge for yourself and see how many points you would give them...

All in all a morning very well spent and an overall score of 0 which, considering what they were up against, was to be expected... They finished off by coming to meet me and the lovely Sinead at 'The Trading Inn' (+5) for a hearty lunch before setting off to the theatre for an Understudy Line Run with Lauren...

Lauren perfects her Stephen Wraysford

Later on in the week, the ladies racked up the fun points in Brentwood at the lovely Creme de la Creme Salon! The wonderful Sarah Jayne Dunn organised a spa day for us during which we were pampered and fed chocolate strawberries all day. Bliss :-)

Our final challenge of the week was entertaining ourselves between shows. It was an 8pm start, so after the matinee we had enough time to eat, chill and have press-up competitions...
Having bet he could do 75, Alastair got to a respectable 68. He did however cheat (by not doing full press-ups) so had to hand over the money to Tim VE, which he did! A memorable moment for all.

Tim VE then showed him how it was done...

Beautiful Malvern

We have had a lovely week in beautiful Malvern; Country Walks, Curry Night, Sarah and Jon's gorgeous Chilli Night, Trips to the Church, as well as Understudy Rehearsals and 8 shows!

I think our girl's pad has to be my favourite digs so far. It was a house on a hill overlooking the whole of Malvern - I think we all felt a bit like we were on holiday. The boys were also in a lovely (well, not quite as lovely as ours ;-) house just down the road, so we made the most of our surroundings with dinner parties and brunches. It was Tim VE's birthday, so we had the perfect excuse :-)

View from our lovely house

On Wednesday, we went for a company curry after the show. Everybody came which was very exciting as it was the first time we had all been for a meal with everyone there. We had a very jolly time  although Alastair wasn't quite as prepared for his Vindaloo as he thought. "It's really not that hot...(hyperventilates in the corner)"

Team Birdsong

We made the most of our rural surroundings and went on several walks. Josh assured us the view really was great from where we were standing but sadly we had to take his word for it as "the mist came right up to our eyeballs.!"

Poppy, Liam and Josh

Despite all being at the height of fitness....we needed to stop for some water and thought of nothing better than the gorgeous Malvern fresh spring water...

We all drunk the gorgeous fresh water...

...before noticing this...oops.

This week I also helped our wonderful Emily Stride do the pre-set for the play. I say helped, I asked lots of questions and filmed. Not only does Emily play Marguerite (and many other characters), but she is also our ASM. (Assistant Stage Manager) Amongst other things, this means she is in charge of setting all the props backstage ready for the show. She was kind enough to show me all she gets up to...

Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford

This week has been an altogether different experience from any other so far on tour. Having trained at GSA and being able to commute to London, I was able to touch base and spend the week in familiar surroundings. These weeks where most people commute can be disjointed, but whilst you can feel distanced from each other, it can be a very good thing to come at it from a different angle. (And it means that we are all the more excited about coming back together in our lovely girly (+ Jon) house in Malvern!)

The Yvonne Arnaud is a lovely theatre. It seats around 600 which gives a unique intimacy, perfectly suited to a play like this. When on stage you can see straight into the first few rows which creates a powerful connection with the audience.

Lovely Yvonne Arnaud Auditorium

One of my favourite things about this week has been seeing so many familiar faces. I have had a wonderful time catching up with people and finally showing them what we've been up to. As well as my (rather large) family coming down to see it, I have had old school friends, old school teachers, GSA friends and GSA tutors in. Having done many shows not knowing anyone in the audience, I have been spoilt!

My Pa and his great friend, Abe!

Me and my lovely friend Annie :-)

My gorgeous niece and nephews (before attempting to steal a poster from the display...I suggested then wasn't the best time seeing as Sebastian Faulks was coming that night...)

...which brings me to our final night in Guildford. On Saturday, the man himself Sebastian Faulks, came to see the show! Whilst it was obviously rather nerve racking, it was an honour to have him there and he was a model audience member (reacting, I am told, in all the right places and standing up at the end!) He came to the bar afterwards where the theatre hosted drinks and he was charming, saying he enjoyed the show very much. Sadly I didn't get a picture, but he did say he would try and come again (yay!) so next time definitely ;-)


As I prepare to leave familiar territory for our next destination, here is an excerpt from Thomas Hardy's Men Who March Away:


Hence the faith and fire within us
Men who march away
Ere the barn-cocks say
Night is growing gray,
Leaving all that here can win us:
Hence the faith and fire within us
Men who march away.