So - it's been nearly a month since my last blog update - and without spending time writing ream after ream of excuses about why I haven't posted, I'll just say it, I'm just lazy! Happy now?! :-)
Actually, I've been about as far away from lazy as I've ever been. Rehearsals are well under way - 2 a week since the end of July, so that's 10 now in total and we're rocking through the singing, dancing and acting with some truly wonderful moments glistening through the seedling performances.
Tonight was our first chance to 'Keep It Gay', and although Hollie (choreographer) was absent due to sickness we ploughed on, initially note bashing the song for Roger and his team with Steve (MD) and Martin (rehearsal pianist), and then setting the scene from a blocking point of view - before running them together a few times to get the cast familiar with their moves and characters.
That's the way I like working best - people enjoy (I think) learning songs (at least that's what I've always found in the past). Musical actors always seem more comfortable going into a song and busking the movement if they've spent an hour singing it - rather than setting a series of movements which they then have to tie in with learning the notes... It's also is a chance for them to develop some movement on their own before I come along and stick my oar in!
Matt, who's playing Carmen, is (by his own admission) our least experienced cast member (in terms of previous 'exposure' on stage) - but with this role he's really having to step up to the mark - and he's doing a marvellous job. Although Matt's naturally a showoff, and so is Carmen, putting the two together and getting one character is tougher than you'd first imagine - but he's gonna do a great job of it - I might even get hold of the pink pinny I'm forcing him to wear to help him slip into character... either that or expose him to hours and hours of Judy Garland and Steps :-)
Sadly we've lost one of our (already limited) male cast, so that's made an incredibly delicate balancing act with chorus members even trickier - I might end up being in the show yet... And that's not through some egotistical need to perform in everything I'm involved in (I stayed off stage for my musical directorial debut) - but a realistic need to have another male on stage in this scene... If I don't, it ruins the gag about Roger having one 'token' woman in his team.
Anyway, I'm learning the part for the time being so we'll see what happens!
In other good news, promotion of the show is underway, and hopefully we'll be getting some support from the wider local press in the coming weeks, which fingers crossed will only be a boost ticket sales! And keep your eyes out for us in your local supermarket soon!!!!
LAMPS has been performing musicals in Tonbridge & Southborough since its formation in 1926. Come and see their latest production of Mel Brooks' The Producers at the Victoria Hall Southborough, 25-29th October 2011.
