Rehearsing the Heck Out of My Play
In which I describe the serious fun I'm having as I rehearse my play with a real Ac-Tor
For the last few weeks, I've been promoting the heck out of my play. And that's all very well but all that effort will come to nothing unless I can produce a play that's brilliant. So now I'm turning my attention to rehearsing the heck out of this play.
The fates have been kind when it comes to this play. They have sent me a wonderful rehearsal partner in the form of Lynda Gough, an actor with decades of experience in the world of theatre. She's helping me add theatrical sparkle to my script.
This is a picture of Lynda Gough. She's wearing a black top and she has white-blonde shoulder-length hair.
Our Rehearsal Format
We're rehearsing for three hours a day. We blast through the scenes without a break, apart from a few sips of water. That makes our rehearsals extremely productive. Before Lynda arrives, I get into costume and warm up my voice and body so I'm ready to go.
And then we work on turning the play into a 3D experience, as I learn to fill the stage with my presence, and with the cast of characters that I give voice to in the show. I'm adding lots of sassy moves and entering the body of a Mafia don.
Actually, what we're doing is going through the play scene by scene and decided where I'll be positioned for each scene and where I'll move on the stage. Theatre types call this blocking. When I finish one scene we move on to the next, and then we go over it all to make sure I know all the loves.
What I'm Learning
It's a curious thing – because of my wonky eyes, there are some basic movements people do in their everyday life that I'm not fully aware of, like how people hold a wineglass – or a toy gun! So, one of Lynda's many tough tasks is to teach me body language 101. And it's working – my movements already feel more natural.
I'm already feeling the benefit. For a start, the show is more streamlined. I had three props when I started rehearsing with Lynda. Now I have one. My red jumper has now become part of my costume, my wineglass is gone. But I still have a drum, and I will be banging it hard.
Lynda is also helping me overcome the curse of overthinking. We now finish each rehearsal with a speed run. That means I say all the lines in the show really fast. I've no time to think, and the lines are filled with energy. That means when I'm on the stage, I won't have that pained look on my face as I try and think of my next line.
It's all been serious fun – I've been helpless with laughter many times during our rehearsals. But what will be the result for you, my potential audience? The best performance that I can deliver. I will leave it to you to determine whether I have succeeded.
Ticket Details for Shows
Before I go, I'll just bore you with details of the first two shows again.
15 July: Cluain Restaurant, Clonmel. Tickets €25 available at Cluain. Meal at 6pm, main course and mini dessert treat siwth tea or coffee. Then play at 7pm. Come at around 5.45pm to be seated for 6pm.
24 July: Molly's Café, Clonakilty. Tickets €25, available at Molly's. Nibbles at 6.30pm, play at 7pm, meal at 8pm.
If you've any questions about these shows or my upcoming shows in Moone, Tramore, or Raheen House in Clonmel, drop me an email on derbhile@writewordseditorial.ie. Or if you want to subscribe, hit the big blue button.