Don’t worry about the doors
Sat through a whole day of rehearsal yesterday without being used … or abused. Not to worry, it’s a real joy watching the rest of the cast on their feet and enjoying the rehearsal process. Remained perfectly sober despite polishing off half a packet wine gums.
Andy Hockley and Will were in London having a costume fitting yesterday so we talked about them all day. All good. All Good. DSM Jane read in their voices when required and the actors obliged by reacting to their vacant places with vacant faces. I do this all the time anyway - walking down the road, either learning lines with my invisible friends or generally just talking and singing to myself, so it was nothing unusual.
Andy Gray spent some time sporting Lily’s hat - he suggested it might be a voyageur’s hat and the discussions went on for some minutes about whether he was one of those blokes on a gondola (I put that as I’m not sure if they are called gondaliers, gondolas or just goons), and the discussion could probably have continued until the following Thursday - thankfully Hamish brought the proceedings to a close “I’m so glad we’ve resolved that issue”.
Real treat to observe Hamish working with the actors today. I’ve seen some great performances over the past couple of weeks, but going over scenes in some detail today he began to dissect and refine, drawing out the story and heightening the humour. The scene between Harpingon (the Miser - Andy Gray) and his son Tristram (Keith Faulkner) grew from very funny to real pissing your pants stuff.
Keith was not sure which way to open the door for the ladies (he’s not used to doing it anyway, he told me) - and Lily was concerned that if we didn’t know which way they opened it could add at least two days to the Tech. Hamish told her not to worry as he would happily have the doors remounted if we came to the Tech and they were not right for the actors - rather that than trying to get the actors to change something!
Rob Wilkinson
