The Crucible

Closing message

2005-11-28T16:04:00.000Z

Wanted to officially close the blog now. Discussion continues over at The Barnstormers Board. Please check there for info on future productions.

It's been emotional.

Paul.

Jodie White writing for a school project

2005-11-18T17:35:00.000Z

On the 21st September 2005, a production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” was performed at The Barn Theatre in Oxted. Mainly watched by GCSE students, I have to admit that not many of us went into the theatre excited at the thought of sitting through a few hours of a play that we had no choice but to study. However, most of us left the theatre buzzing, extremely impressed with the performance and ready to tackle the forthcoming coursework.

To be perfectly honest, when reading a play in class, it is only a script to students, something that they have to read in order to pass their exams. However when watching it in The Barn Theatre, it was a dramatic, emotionally fuelled and powerful play that couldn’t help but make the most unenthusiastic student feel a part of the drama. This was helped by the historic and intimate setting, with the Barn Theatre seating just 244. I also felt that the first entrance was extremely well planned, with the opening characters entering through the audience, in their impressive and realistic costumes. This not only emphasized the emotions being felt by the characters, but made the audience feel that they were being included too.

One of the things that I noticed almost immediately was the range of ages within the cast. From the young actress playing Betty, to the actress playing Rebecca Nurse, I felt that they worked together remarkably well. It is not easy handling a large cast in such a small theatre, let alone trying to break down the barriers that age difference creates, but I admired the way that the cast co-operated and particular actors and actresses impressed me greatly. The actress that played Betty was brilliant, and seemed to show a great understanding of her character for someone so young. Even at GCSE level many of us find it very difficult to understand the language that the play is written in, let alone act it out, and to do this at such a young age I felt was outstanding.

I also thought that the relationship between Abigail and John Proctor was very well portrayed, and each impressed me both individually and together, with their on stage chemistry, complete involvement in the play, and constant focus throughout the performance. The visit earlier in the school day from the Paul Longhurst (director), Richard Allen (producer), Camilla Rockley (Abigail Williams) and Steve Palmer (John Proctor) was a great help in truly understanding the thought processes behind the performance, and this helped us to better understand the performance itself. Paul Longhurst came across as a lively, fun and committed individual, who had clearly put a lot of time and effort into creating an effective performance. The opportunity to direct a scene ourselves during this session gave us the chance to put our ideas to the cast, and made us all realise how difficult (yet fun!) directing a play can be. We were all very grateful that these members of the production took the time to come and visit us, and listened to our ideas as well as gave their own responses too. The session was a brilliant assistance when it came to watching Palmer and Rockley later that evening, and the transformation in appearance was remarkable. It was also interesting seeing them act throughout the play, having spoken to them as actors instead of characters earlier on in the day.

I realised whilst trying to analyse the different aspects of the play, exactly how much thought had gone into creating a realistic, yet understandable and powerful performance. Little things such as props on the mantelpiece and the use of accent made such a big difference in bringing the play to life. I was also very impressed with the effects that were used throughout the play, with daylight shining in through the left side of the stage despite the fact that we were watching the play in the evening. It was effects such as these that made the play so ‘real,’ and completely transported us from watching a play in a theatre in Oxted, to being involved in the Salem witch trials from the 17th century. Other effects simply made the play more dramatic, such as the use of enlarged shadow against a softly coloured background to show the girls dancing in the woodland. This was so much better than just seeing them dance on stage, as it left a lot to the imagination, which seems perfect considering that this part of the play is not scripted.

Another thing that helped to create such a realistic atmosphere was the high level of emotion that was displayed throughout. Reading the play on a Tuesday afternoon whilst you are all sitting at desks does not make you feel like reading the play with emotion, and you therefore lose so much of what Arthur Miller wanted to achieve. It was only when I watched this production that I realised the intensity of the emotion that was felt by the characters, particularly John Proctor. His violent rages and quick temper were very well captured, making me jump out of my seat several times throughout! However, at times I did feel that this character was portrayed as too aggressive, and that some of the loud outbursts were not appropriate for the situation in hand.

“The Crucible” is a play about the complete breakdown of a society, and there was an increasing feeling of this destruction as the play continued. In the second half, we got to see the consequences of the events in the first half, and we got to see a lot more of the actress playing Mary Warren, who managed to capture the emotional intensity of the situation very well. She showed a great understanding of the play, reacting realistically yet dramatically to the accusations made against her. Camilla Rockley had a less central role in this half of the play, however still gave her full attention to the other members of the cast, and reacted appropriately to every single comment made, without being false or unrealistic. To keep this level of attention through such a long production is remarkable, however many members of the audience found that the play went on for too long and could not maintain concentration. I understand that the play was long, but many people, students in particular found it a challenge to give the play their full attention for such a long period of time, especially so late at night.

When we were visited by Longhurst earlier that day, he said “‘The Crucible’ is an amazing play that speaks to you on many levels…it’s just up to you to find it.” To be honest, when he said that I wondered how I could possibly find these “levels” when I barely understood what the title meant. However, a combination of well designed setting, a creative director and extremely talented cast, helped many of us to gain a far greater understanding of the play, which will be a great help when it comes to examination. However, for many it was not just about that, but about applying our life values to those that were shown in the play. For a play set such a long time ago, that many of us would not have chosen to see beforehand, it is amazing how the morals and messages shown can still be applicable to life in the twenty first century and I know that I, along with many others, thoroughly enjoyed it, and are very thankful that we got the opportunity to see and be influenced by the production.

Three grand!!!

2005-11-03T08:29:00.000Z

The reunion was a real hit last night. Fionas team luckily won the skittles and a good time was had by all.

The best bit though, was when Richard handed over a cheque for £3000 to Bruce. What a great contribution!!! So it turns out that The Barnstormers put on a great play, had a great time and made three grand to boot! It doesn't get much better than that. Hooray!

If I ever get the review from Aschombe school, I'll post it here but otherwise, I'll close this site down now and ensure it is kept for posterity. In the meantime, I'm trying to set up an open forum (chatroom) for all things Barnstormers, check out The Barnstormers website for details soon.

So, thanks to everyone who contributed to the blog, I'm thrilled that it chroncicles a sucessful story and we'll announce The Barnstormer's next project as soon as we know!

Paul

Catch-up

2005-10-12T08:19:00.000Z

OK, thought I'd give a little update on events.

Firstly, we're having a get together / reunion on Wednesday 2nd November at The Haycutter Inn, Tanhouse Road, Broadham Green (near Oxted), Surrey. If you're coming, let us know cos numbers are limited. Please spread the word to anyone who was connected with the play.

One more review is due (that I know of), from Croydon High School. I'll post it here as soon as I have it.

I'll probably close this site down after the get together. Hopefully I'll be able to announce the profits, attendance figures and other interesting stats then. Also add some photos of the reunion!

If any cast members want to advertise their future productions, please add a comment here!

Lastly, the DVD. I haven't had a chance to start editing it yet, but rest assured, I'll be spending considerable time on making it as good as possible. Please let me know if you want a copy.

OK gang, missing you all very much, stay in touch!

Peter Reed writing for the Amateur Stage

2005-10-04T15:34:00.000Z

BEWITCHING BARNSTORMERS

The Director’s notes advised that a straw poll in his office had shown that though 8/10 have heard of Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’, fewer than 1/10 have actually seen it. I can now count myself to be one of the lucky one’s. The fact that the play is a modern classic is no sure formula for a successful production. In deed the depth of talent required to make this onerous 4 Act play come alive was awesome, but the Barnstormers had that by the bucket-load.

In a production where every character had been faithfully researched and played it cannot go unmentioned that to a man (or woman) not only was the pace, diction and projection excellent, but the comprehension of the text was superb. Neither should it be ignored that, there were many occasions which required a good number of players to be on stage for some time just to ‘listen’, and how well they did it. The careful manoeuvring and grouping of players during such scenes had been well plotted by the Director to avoid it looking like a cattle market.

The Prologue was exact. A gauzed firelit woodland dance enacted by the young girls to a haunting melody mixed with reverberating youthful giggles set the tone perfectly for what was about to follow.

The pace and verve with which Philip Laughton, as the Reverend Samuel Parris, launched into the first Act epitomised the striving proud man he should be. A hardened man of the cloth who preached fire and damnation into the hearts of his congregation. The very torment of a man battling with his own beliefs and that of his parishioners was visible for all to see. Chris Chaplin as the Reverend John Hale was the perfect contrast. A quiet, calm and collected man, experienced in matters of witchcraft and more ready to accept that there is inherent good and evil in everyone. Both men delivered well rounded performances of their respective characters. I felt occasionally that Parris was guilty of overdoing the ‘dramatic upstage turn’ (too much of a good thing can reduce its potency), and a little too much pacing. It is a common error, when faced with pages of dialogue, that a Director feels obliged to set unnecessary moves. As a guideline only move if there is a definite reason.

Steve Palmer gave an excellent portrayal of the central character John Proctor understanding the man throughout. The emotional rollercoaster was running true from his first sinister entrance, where we learned of his liaison with Abigail, through the guilt of having cheated on a weakened wife in a failing marriage, to his utter disbelief that the law should accept the spirited ramblings of the girls. But foremost must be his final scene where the broken man is faced with the torment of retracting his confession to keep his name rather than save his own life. In such a weighty part it would have been nice to have worked a little more light and shade into the voice, and again, reduce the number of unnecessary moves.

Claire Tibbalds gave a solid performance as Proctor’s hapless wife Elizabeth, though at times their relationship seemed to be somewhat staged to be cold rather than bear the feeling of an awkwardness and failing on both their parts.

Of the girls Camilla Rockley played the part of the vengeful and calculating Abigail to a tee. The free spirited leader of the girls, the flirty adolescent with Procktor, and the stone faced picture of innocence and virtue to Authority were totally in keeping with the role. Likewise, Lucy Coward as Mary Warren had done her homework. The unwitting follower of Abigail, a timid mouse who finds strength born out of her elevated position at the trials, was twice in the focus. First as she succumbed to her conscience to declare the whole event a ‘pretence’, but then later as she retracted her statement to reunite with the girls in a harrowing betrayal of the truth. The reuniting of Mary with the girls was one of the many highlights of the play and particularly well executed by the young girls. Worthy of equal mention was the truly spine-chilling confession of the servant Tituba (Celena Bain), who’s absolute terror at being accused of witchcraft was wholly believable and a terrific climax to end Act 1.

Jerry Phillips was every inch the man as Deputy Governor Danforth, holding court both literally and figuratively throughout the third Act. His timing and delivery combined with careful control of a booming voice commanded attention not only from those on stage, but also the entire audience.

The excellent 17th Century timber framed set had been carefully designed as a back wall with interchangeable panels to provide the required scene changes to each Act, with the whole frame moving downstage to provide the final set in the jail. The players were thus afforded the maximum working area of the stage at all times. The downside to all this space was that the ‘small upper bedroom’ in Act 1 seemed rather too large whilst the common room at the Procktor’s house was positively palatial for a farmer. This might have been overcome by reducing the lighting at the periphery of the set and focusing more on centre stage. To have the oak beams of the Barn Theatre as the backdrop for such a production as this was providence itself as each scene blended perfectly into the auditorium almost as if one were actually in the room with the players. The Director had wisely kept furniture and props to a minimum, but his attention to detail was obviously paramount. Was it my imagination, or did I really detect the aroma of ‘rabbit stew’ in the Prockor House at the opening of Act 2?

As well as providing a warm cameo role in the form of Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Callow had worked marvels in the wardrobe department to provide a very authentic set of costumes. One might question whether the farmers’ attire in particular should have appeared quite so clean, but the costume change for Act 4, after months in jail, was especially effective.
Mention should be made of the excellent set of wigs which were totally in keeping with the time. The theory on makeup is that it is good if you don’t notice it, and that was generally the case, although one or two of the ladies were maybe a little too pretty for the hardy Puritan way of life.

Overall this was an exceptional piece of amateur theatre and the very hearty applause at the end of the evening from a praiseworthy audience had been well earned.

Peter Steptoe writing for the Croydon Advertiser

2005-09-30T10:07:00.000Z

Four stars (out of five)

This is a humdinger of a play and with 23 in the cast. Congratulations are due to producer Richard Allen and director Paul Longhurst for the able way the troops are marshalled.

The distinction between superstition, religion and reason is brilliantly brought out and the dialogue in plain English not out of place for 1692.

No use is made of thee, thou, art, etc., for which grateful thanks are given.

The girls are supposed to have danced naked in the forest and to have summoned Satan with their wild perambulations.

The Reverend Samuel Parris (Philip Laughton) has glimpsed his daughter naked as she returns home and she is put to bed in a disturbed state.

A believer in hell fire, he convinces with passion his concern for salvation, tempered with anxiety for his earthly position.

Lotti Davies as his daughter has the difficult task of lying comatose for the first ten minutes.

She is a good screamer, but then ladies seem to have an inbuilt talent for it.

Tituba (Celena Bain), as slave from Barbados, sublimely portrayed her apparent admission that the dancing she taught is evil and that the devil has been summoned.

Alan Merricks as “know all” Thomas Putnam knew that whitchcraft is involved, convincing us that he believes it and is assisted in this by his wife Ann (Fiona Steel).

Abigail Williams (Camilla Rockley) is the ringleader of the bewitched girls and was a maid in the house of farmer John Proctor (Steve Palmer).

They have an affair and are led to believe that, having been shown the door by Mrs. Proctor (Clare Tibbalds), she wreaks her revenge with the accusation that the girls are under the latter’s control.

The uniform repetition of poor Mrs Proctor’s speech and movement by the girls is an effective theatrical device.

The foregoing parts are all handled with sensitivity and passion, especially when Steve Palmer and Clare Tibbalds are involved.

John Bennett, as Giles Corey, is forthright as the curmudgeonly friend of Proctor and suitable bewildered to find his wife tried for witchcraft because she reads books and won’t let him see what they are.

A special word of praise for Jerry Phillips as deputy governor Danforth, who is in charge of the Salem Trials. His phrasing and articulation are of the highest order.

Together with Judge Hathorne (Peter Shore), Marshal Herrick (David Rose) and Ezekiel Cheever (Tony Goddard) they form a formidable acting group.

Elizabeth Callow, as Rebecca Nurse, is a dominating figure, refusing to admit her guilt when such an admission could save her life, and Chris Caplin is suitably learned as the witchcraft expert, the Reverend Hale.

The Barnstormers know their business and their ensemble playing is a delight.

Tony Flock, writing for the Surrey Mirror

2005-09-29T10:30:00.000Z

The potent story unfolded in The Crucible is told through a large number of carefully-drawn characters. The way they are portrayed as individuals and their relationships with each other is vital in building a composite picture of events surrounding the Salem witch trials of 1692.

The Barnstormers’ production, directed by Paul Longhurst, showed most of those involved as real-life people with recognisable strengths, weaknesses and foibles. As important, they were clearly shown against the background of the times in which they lived, which is essential in order for audiences to comprehend the mass hysteria that gripped New England.

Paul Laughton painted Reverend Parris as a witch-hunting zealot, whose rigid attitude split the community. It was a meticulous study, which made it easy to understand, if impossible to like the man.

Camilla Rockley showed Abigail Williams to be a brazen, manipulative girl. It was no surprise to find that she eventually ran off, with her uncle’s (Parris’s) money. Lucy Coward brought out the conflict suffered by Mary Warren, torn between doing what she knew to be right and the terror of Abigail and the other girls.

Steve Palmer looked every bit the hard working, independent-minded farmer, John Proctor. Although his delivery lacked spontaneity at times, he came across strongly in the last act, in which he had to decide whether to lie in order to save his life, or maintain his principles and face the gallows. Clare Tibbalds gave a carefully paced portrayal of Elizabeth his wife – a reserved, self-doubting, woman coming to terms with her husband’s infidelity with Abigail.

Jerry Phillips brought humanity to Danforth, the Deputy Governor, intent on seeking the truth but, ultimately, bound by the beliefs and strictures of the era.

The Crucible offers very little humour but John Bennett added a light touch as the litigious Giles Corey. There was a chill in the air as Celena Bain, the Barbadian slave Tituba, recounted her conversations with the devil.

Elizabeth Callow projected all the good-natured, God-fearing qualities for which Rebecca Nurse was respected in Salem. Twelve-year-old Lotti Davies, heightened the drama when, as Betty Parris, she awoke screaming from her trance at the climax to Act 1.

Several other members of the cast could have looked rather deeper into their characters and some needed to deliver their lines more naturally. The only noticeable fault in the staging was that grouping looked contrived in some scenes – most noticeably that of the girls in Act 1.

The prologue, an inspired idea, showed the girls, in silhouette, dancing in the woods – an innocent enough pursuit but one which, eventually, led to the execution of twenty people.

Reviews

2005-09-29T10:04:00.000Z

I found that when I put more than one review in, the comments got too large and difficult to follow. So I'm now doing a post for each review (that way we can leave comments for each review!!

Errors in reviews have not been corrected.

Email feedback & others

2005-09-26T06:38:00.000Z

I've decided to use collect the feedback together in here, by adding comments to this post. That way, if anyone gets any comments, they can add them here as well!

So, please check the comments for this entry to see emails (or excerpts of emails) that I've been sent about the production. I've kept these annonomous for obvious reasons.

The morning after the last night

2005-09-25T17:23:00.000Z

I viewed the performance through a viewfinder last night, so can't really comment on the show itself. The audience reaction was probably the most emotional so far though, which was great. DVD will be available soon, hopefully we'll be organising a reunion for cast & crew to have a viewing.

So, I'm feeling tired (very tired!) today and will go to bed early. Looking for a new project now!

Final thoughts. 'The Barnstormers' is not a company, it is a family (to quote Fiona!), and it is headed by Richard Allen. Richard single handedly holds the entire process together and is the drive for every aspect of the production. Once again, as a result of his leadership, we have created a a piece of theatre to be proud of, one which I'm sure will be the level for future plays to aim for, and one which I will miss deeply. I am proud to be associated with The Barnstormers and to count Richard as a friend!

Well Done All!!!

Last night tonight

2005-09-24T08:09:00.000Z

Three down, just tonight to go. Feeling very sad already!

The Chinese meal with the cast and crew was great fun last night and I think that's going to be it party-wise. There will be a get together after the performance tonight in the Barn, but unfortunately there isn't any proposed venue for any party!

No reviews this week either - which is a shame. I'll type them up as I see them next week.

Great having our first mostly adult audience in last night. Different reactions altogether. Lots more laughter at Giles Corey, and more horror in Acts 1 & 3, which was good!

OK then final thoughts tomorrow, and reviews after that. Then I'm writing a piece for the Amateur Stage and moving on to whatever's next. I'll keep you posted, and probably start a blog for that one too!

School update & 2nd night

2005-09-23T09:54:00.000Z

Thought I'd post a picture from the session at Croydon High School that we had on Wednesday. It went very well, the girls were very vocal, showed a great understanding of the play and asked some very intelligent questions.

Last night was very strong. I managed to nick a seat in row C and mingled with the audience. It was interesting listening in to the audience reactions.

Sold 2 CDs, but one was to my Dad, and the other to a cast member!

After the First Night

2005-09-22T11:20:00.000Z

Firstly I must say Congratulations to the cast and crew. I'm immensely proud of the achievement we have all made!

I'm currently uploading photos to here. It's taking a while, so if they're not all there yet, check through the day.

So, back to the performance. Biggest audience reactions:
- the girls recognising Steve from the earlier lesson
- "Tell her she's a whore" got a big woooooo from the girls
- the sound of sheer horror when Mary Warren 'turned' back to Abigail.

Lessons learnt last night:
- when you’ve got a theatre full of teenage girls, you have to open more girls toilets in the interval!
- the play doesn’t come down at 10:30!
- we did it!

More tomorrow!

Opening tonight

2005-09-21T08:41:00.000Z

We had a successful dress rehearsal last night. Not much to say really, the technical side is all falling into place and the actors are all solid in their performance and character, so we just wait to see what the public will think!

Tonight, the audience is made up of mostly school parties, who mostly HAVE to be there, so it will be an interesting test. I think if we manage to keep them quiet for the duration, we'll be doing something right!!

OK, off to Croydon High now to do a lesson on the play for the girls. I'll blog that this afternoon (if I get a chance!).

Tomorrow night!!!!

2005-09-20T08:27:00.000Z

Dress rehearsal tonight, and we open tomorrow night. It's finally here! I can't wait for an audience to see it.

Spent last night re-doing the sound effects and re-editing the video. Also circulated the snag list of technical issues from the pre-dress. Tired and worn this morning!

Not much to say again today. Steve (John Proctor), Camilla (Abigail) and I are doing a teaching session with Croydon High School for Girls tomorrow. Will try to get pictures of that for you. I'm going to get the girls to direct the Act 1 scene, which should hopefully get them asking all the right questions.

Also, there should be photos of the production after the dress rehearsal, which will go onto Flickr asap.

Very excited, tired and emotional!

3

2005-09-19T09:11:00.000Z

We had the pre-dress last night. The cast have managed to knock 20 minutes off the running time!!!!! Congrats all!

There were lots of very small problems mostly technical, but all of which are easily fixable and I'm confident will be right on the night.

I wont spend too much time on here raving and gushing (you all know by now how proud I am of the play) but I will say that lots of very talented and dedicated people are working very hard on it, and it shows! The play oozes class and quality and I LOVE IT!.

Short blog today then. Dress rehearsal tomorrow night (I'll blog again after that), and photos will soon be up on Flickr.

Current to-do list for me:
- Write more music (end of Act 2)
- Re-do the video (version 3)
- clarify my ideas for the special effects moments for the technical crew.

Tickets are doing better now I think. If you're reading this and haven't got one yet - you're runnning out of time!

4 days

2005-09-18T07:18:00.000Z

The photo is of the party who went into Oxted with handbills. They are : Richard Allen (the producer) in borrowed costume, Katie Challis (Mercy Lewis) and Peter Shore (Judge Hathorne). We did well, 550 handbills in a couple of hours!! Hope it helps ticket sales.

So a long day today . 13:00 fixing Act 1, 14:30 running, 17:30 pizza, 19:00 running again (pre-dress).

We need to lose 20 minutes off the running time. Obviously we don't want to cut the play, so we're trying to find other ways to achieve it. Pace is one big way to do this - not necessarily speed of delivery, but cue bites etc. Hopefully this will make a big dent (I'll let you know tomorrow!).

Bruce has returned from holiday and the set build is coming on in leaps and bounds! I give real credit to the team, it was a difficult build, and they've never said "no" (yet!). Looking forward to seeing it all with costumes etc. today. Hopefully more photos soon!

So, This is basically it. Pre-dress tonight, dress on Tuesday and we open on Wednesday! Wish us luck!

6 ... and counting

2005-09-15T15:01:00.000Z

The technical rehearsal went well last night. The main plus for me was seeing the prologue with the actors, video, lights, choreography etc. and it ROCKED! Special thanks to Camilla and Mel who gave up their 21st and 16th birthdays to be there last night!!

Other than that, we set for each Act and then checked the lighting. It looked good, but the set isn’t painted yet so we’ll probably have to change it all again! Hopefully set is being painted today. There’s more building to be done and not a lot of time left to do it in.

I’ve spent most of today redoing the music (adding the actual voices of our girls) and re-editing the video. Now I have to record the other scene change music and try to find a courtroom jeering sound on the internet.

Rehearsal tonight will be at 19:45 prompt (in case any cast read this) and we’ll have to really press through it. Hoping to not have to cut it!

This is my fifth attempt at burning a DVD. It keeps stopping near the end and I’m getting a little annoyed! *calming down*

So, I have a friend coming to watch tonight. I’ll let you know his comments tomorrow! Could be interesting!

Bruce is back from hols, so the set build should progress very quickly now (welcome back Bruce!)

7 days to go

2005-09-14T11:28:00.000Z

Google have just released a blog search tool and I thought I'd see where we come. Well, we haven't appeared by page 18, where every entry is in Japanese! I thought that by talking about "The Crucible", calling the site "The Crucible" and having a URL with the word "Crucible" in it, we may appear somewhere on the search list for “Crucible”, but obviously I don't understand the delicate intricacies of their search tools - Oh well!

Last night's rehearsal went well on the whole. Strangely, despite some very strong moments, Act 1 sank about a third of the way through and never really saved itself. There's a really strong Act there trying to get out and some strong performances but a couple of major flaws just distracted too much from it. We will have to have an extra hour on Sunday to fix this so cast are now called from 13:00.

The other Acts were great (I mean REALLY great!). I have some small changes and some notes - but we're getting really nit picky now. Loving it!

Actually, I should point out that last night it seemed to me that some of the actors had turned a corner (as it were) and had completely found their characters. The maturity and depth of some of the portrayals was fabulous. Special mention to Steve Palmer, Peter Shore and Lucy Coward who pulled extra whatsits out of their respective bags last night.

A big concern though is that each Act is taking too long. We've added (in some cases) 5-10 minutes onto each Act at the moment (compared to the read-through), and we need to lose this again. I'll be asking everyone to increase the pace a lot, especially in the crowd / group scenes.

Technical rehearsal tonight. We're setting the Prologue with girls etc. and then ploughing on through the technical aspects of the play. Shouldn't be too late (hopefully) as there's not too many technical changes in the play.

The set is growing gradually. Painting should have started today and the wall is being fixed. The special cupboard / fireplace arrived yesterday to everyone's delight (it's perfect) and as props and dressing filled the stage, it gradually came alive as a real environment.

So, all in all, we’re very much getting there. My immediate to do list looks something like:
- Act 1 needs TLC
- Re-record the music with the actual girls voices etc.
- Re record the video (PAL not NTSC!) with new graphics etc. and new music (above)
- Re record the scene change music with timings from tonight.

I’ll try to do a blog entry every day from now on. Stay tuned!

12 days and counting!

2005-09-09T09:03:00.000Z

We had a great rehearsal last night. I don't think the cast believed me, but it went very well indeed.

We rehearsed Acts 3 & 4, and yeah, lines were a bit sloppy and yeah, some moves were messy, but the play shone through and those things can be easily fixed. What's important to me is that the play is served, and it really was. Personally, it's thrilling to watch the cast come round this last corner and approach the final weeks rehearsal.

Richard and I spent most of the day yesterday taking photos of woods to use for the multimedia prologue. I imagine this multimedia prologue sounds really horrendous to the reader, but I assure you it is done in keeping with the rest of the piece. I have written and recorded the music now and we're trying to fit video to the music, and hopefully the live action will fit in after that! Trouble is, included in the live action, we’re doing a shadow play on the same screen as the video (girls dancing round the fire in the woods), and we've no idea how this will eventually look with all these elements in place!

The screen has only just been made and will be hung over the weekend. We then need to get the projector up, set the lights and rehearse with the girls, Tituba and Parris.

The UV paint looks like a winner for the end sequence. For those who haven’t read every entry (why not?), we plan to use the UV to create a crucifix image for the end ‘picture’. We’re flooding the cyc with red, highlighting the crucifix (UV) and having Elizabeth Proctor in a ‘special’. Should be a dramatic picture! I do have two concerns though – 1) that Elizabeth’s costume doesn’t glow in the UV light, and 2) that we have full control over the UV, so we can bring on the crucifix exactly when we want it (may not be possible with a UV canon).

Tickets sales are creeping up. Still worried, but there is now a light at the end of the tunnel!

Costumes are also looking good! I’ve not had much to do with costume (see my earlier posts!), but within the limits of my limited knowledge, I’m thrilled.

Fiona has only recently been able to sit alongside me as assistant director, and this late entry has proved useful because, she’s been able to look at the play afresh. Fiona has a different, but complementary approach to theatre from me and I love working with her to mix our comments and thoughts.

So, I’m really excited (and tired). The next twelve days will be hell I’m sure, but I know we’ll get there and I know it will all be worth it!

Three weeks to Go!

2005-09-03T13:44:00.000Z

In three weeks, it will be the last night and there’s still a lot of work to do!! It seems we’re always good the second time we rehearse an Act. Lines are still a bit shaky (very shaky in places) and moves can be woolly. Not the casts fault, just where we are in the rehearsal process.

Having said that, the individual performances are solidifying and maturing really well, and the company has a great sense of community, so we just need to make as much use of rehearsal time as possible, cos there aint long left!

Other news:

The bare bones of the set has now been built in the theatre and it’s looking very good indeed. I can’t wait for Wiggy to get her hands on it now!!

Prologue has been agreed and we have a lot of work to do setting up the multimedia bits.

Music is still under discussion, but I need an answer really soon as I have to record / mix etc. in time for the production!

We’re in the theatre full time now for rehearsals, which is perfect!

Tickets sale are abysmal. There is a real reticence to see the play, I think it is seen as a real downer and too heavy. This is seriously bad news, some nights have only sold around ten tickets so far. Publicity has been good and the word has got out but not much is happening. W can’t rely on the ‘I’ll be alright in the end’ principle, because it may not be!

Lastly, I wanted to welcome out new marshal Herrick to the cast. David Rose has replaced Bob Wilson as Herrick at short notice. Thanks David! I hope you enjoy the experience!

Please buy / sell tickets as much as possible. This is going to be incredible but unfortunately, it could end up being the one that everyone missed. It would be a real shame to let that happen!

New photos

2005-08-22T12:23:00.000Z

There are some great new rehearsal photos available to view. Chris Chaplin obviously has the eye (and the camera!) for a good shot or two. Please have a look around by clicking here.

Had a costume meeting on Sunday and I think we made a good start. Costumes are not really my bag though, so I bow to Richard and Elizabeth's greater knowledge and passion about the subject. What I saw looked good though!

Next Sunday's Bank Holiday weekend rehearsal is in jepody due to massive unavailability - we may have to reschedule and possibly do an all day Sunday rehearsal one week to catch up! I'll let you know.

'Fixing' rehearsals

2005-08-19T11:38:00.000Z

We're making good progress with some 'fixing' rehearsals now. Our new Tituba (photo below) has fitted in really well and is doing a great job. We just have to remember to bring some knee pads to rehearsals for her for when she's thrown about so much!

Had a bit of a block with the Act 4 John / Elizabeth scene last night and decided to come back to it at a later date. This is the pivotal part of the play and needs the actors to be mentally in the right place. We're going to have a fill rehearsal on this one bit soon. The John / Abigail bit ROCKED though!

We built the set this week - then took it all down again! The stage is needed for another company over the next couple of weeks and with Bruce on holiday for a couple of weeks, it was important to start this work early. So we put up the set and masking on the stage, whilst Charles and little Paul started on the 'wall' in the little Barn. It was great seeing them, and we made some small changes (moved an entrance, and some windows). Anyway the set was taken down to allow another group to use the stage for a while - then we build it again at the start of September.

Also, we tested out the front cloth as a projection screen and it was great. Richard and I now have to decide how we're going to do the prologue - I favour a movie of shapes and a fire with a mixture of live cast, Richard favours actors creating a shadow play from behind the screen. We also have yet to agree on music for the piece. I need to write this soon, so I want to get it agreed!

For the first time now, I am getting a sense of running out of time on the project. Holidays are getting in the way and we don't have that many rehearsals left now, at least that's how it seems!

Ticket sales are low. Very low. Please do all you can to sell the play. There are a lot of very talented people all working very hard to make this as good as it possibly can be, I believe this will be a special event at the Barn, and that it will be talked about for a long time to come! But then I am a bit biased!!

More photos are available here if you're interested!

Holiday season

2005-08-12T11:09:00.000Z

We have two major absences now. Parris and Danforth are both missing until September, and the rehearsals have moved into a patchy, segmented stage. Looks like a good time to do all of those tidying bits I was talking about before!

We are working with Celena (Tituba) for the first time on Sunday night, and will attempt a run of Act 1 without Parris, on Tuesday, to fit her in, and cos it hasn't been done for ages!

Set building starts on Monday, and we will have a test of the projector and screen in the morning. The highlighting of the cross is a popular discussion point for the techies at the moment. invisible UV paint may be the best option, but this is still under investigation!

I think it will be a hard few weeks with those two (an others) missing, but we need to get though them as positively as possible. Luckily, Fiona came back yesterday and (even though she has some more absences approaching) is still keen to sit at my side and assist!

Haven't started the music yet, and I'll now look at making a movie for the opening sequence. It's all go!

We've set the entire play!!

2005-08-05T11:06:00.000Z

OK, OK, we've still got the prologue to do, and the start of Act 4, but I'm leaving those for a while, and will slip them in sometime in the last few weeks, so we've done it (almost!).

Some bits that need attention over the next few weeks -

- First third of Act 3
- Betty Parris' scream bit in Act 1
- John Proctor & Abigail bit in Act 1
- Putnams & Parris bit it Act 1
- Act 2 Hale & Proctors
- Act 4 scene between John and Elizabeth
- All the girls bits

If any of the cast are reading this (actually if anyone at all is reading this!) and you want to rehearse any thing not mentioned here, let me know and I'll put it on the list!

Acting-wise the cast are doing very well indeed. I need to have sessions with some of the cast to pull them back a little bit. Some can tend towards caricature, and need to be guided back to a more naturalistic style. Also, some accents to sort out, but all in all, nothing too bad, and alot that is very good - even at this stage!

Generally we're still where we want to be - which is good!

Best news - We've got this Sunday off!!! HOORAY!! A well needed rest for all.

Prompt is attending rehearsals soon, so it's books down!

On target!

2005-07-31T20:04:00.000Z

Progress check - we've had 18 rehearsals out of 39 scheduled. We've set three quarters of the play, and have now started on the last quarter (Act three!).

I'm pretty pleased that we seem to be where I'd want to be at this stage. The cast are growing more and more into their parts with every rehearsal and it's looking good.

I'm going to start work on the music and opening effects soon that we're fully cast. I'm using a religious theme, mixed with Caribbean rhythms. It will be a fine balance, but should work really well if I can judge it right.

It'll be an interesting week, setting Act three. We have the girls doing their hysteria bit, Danforth's big entrance and Elizabeth's short but big moment. I love this act!!!

Also working on the schools project this week. I need to create a teaching plan. I'm taking a few lessons for local schools, looking at the play and hopefully letting some of my enthusiasm rub off! Should be interesting!

So, that's it from me. More soon.

We are now fully cast!

2005-07-25T12:24:00.000Z

A milestone for the production indeed!! We have now got a complete cast because Celena Bain has accepted the role of Tituba!

Celena has already played the part for CODA and I'm sure everyone will join me in making her very welcome.

The complete cast list is as follows:
John Proctor - Steve Palmer
Elizabeth Proctor - Clare Tibbalds
Abigail Williams - Camilla Rockley
Deputy Governor Danforth - Jerry Phillips
Reverend Samuel Parris - Philip Laughton
Reverend John Hale - Chris Chaplin
Giles Corey - John Bennett
Mary Warren - Lucy Coward
Tituba - Celena Bain
Thomas Putnam - Alan Merricks
Rebecca Nurse - Elizabeth Callow
Judge Hathorne - Peter Shore
Francis Nurse - Ron White
Betty Parris - Lottie Davies
Sarah Good - Stella Thomas
Ezekiel Cheever - Tony Goddard
Ann Putnam - Fiona Steel
Mercy Lewis - Katie Challis
Susanna Walcott - Melissa Cox
Marshal Herrick - Bob Wilson
Salem Girl - Cathy Biles
Salem Girl - Holly Sayer
Salem Girl - Abigail Thomas-Verweij

OK, now everyone - back to learning those lines!!
*cracks whip and laughs maniacally*

Danforth!!!

2005-07-22T09:04:00.000Z

We have finally cast the character of Danforth, and I think he'll fit in perfectly! Jerry Phillips is a regular at the Miller Centre in Caterham, and brings with him a wealth of experience (I think this is his 286th show?). Jerry actually played John Proctor at the Miller Centre some time back, so is familiar with the play and Richard and I are thrilled to welcome him to the cast.

The part of Tituba remains uncast at the moment, but we have several 'hot' leads (and we’re slightly less worried about Tituba for the moment).

Other news - we had a design meeting last night (after the rehearsal & audition & work and the London bombs - it was a busy day!!!) and we may have some small changes to the set design. Our next people problem (apart from casting Tituba) is getting together a competent crew to help build the set. Please let me know of any brothers, dads, friends etc. (or even sisters, mums, aunts) with DIY experience who would be willing to commit some time to this.

We staggered through Act 2 last night and found we had to re-set the second half of it. Trouble is, there’s a bloody table and chairs in the middle of the stage, which acts as a merry-go-round, which the cast end up having to avoid most of the time! It has to be there, but it’s damned awkward! Also lots of props in this scene, jackets, whip, gun, plates, edible food, bible & books, cider bottle and mug, hats, doll etc. so we have to keep track of them all!

*deep breath, calming down*

On the good side, there are some wonderful characters emerging now, the cast seem to add layers of depth and subtlety every time we go through it – which is exactly what we need, and it’s all taking shape.

So, now we have another cast member, we have another set of unavailability dates which means – another version of the rehearsal schedule!!! I actually think we’re getting to the last version now. I’ll get one out this weekend.

Lastly, Croydon High School have asked me to give a talk about the play, and this is arranged for the Wednesday of the performance. I am planning the lesson now (I can't wait - I love this sort of thing!) but if any of the cast members would be able to come along and help, they'd be more than welcome. I plan to do a small amount of workshoping, and would rather do it with some of the cast involved if I could.

Please don’t forget to ask around about set builders! Back soon.

Act 2

2005-07-20T15:59:00.000Z

Well, a long time has passed since my last posting (sorry!). So there's lots of news.

The photo is Steve (Proctor), Lucy (Mary) and Clare (Elizabeth) in the Orpheus centre's barn, rehearsing Act II ("she some-times made a compact with Lucifer").

We've now set (at a high level at least) most of Acts 1, 2 and 4 and on the whole I'm very proud of where we are.

Again, we have some cast changes. Due to work commitments, we are sorry lose Chris Bassett from the role of Cheever, and Tony Goddard has now been promoted (as it were)! Tony's delivery of the line "I think it be the cows, Sir" is fast becoming one of my favorite lines in the play!

We are about to 'close the deal' with a potential Danforth, and we are close to finding a Tituba, so I'm very hopeful on that front!

So, how's it really going? Well, when we have the right people at rehearsals(no-one reading in), and we've managed to have a concentrated rehearsal, then it REALLY works well. Which says to me that all the ingredients are there for another amazing Barnstormer's production, all we have to do is give it space and take the time to get it right.

Check back soon for news on casting!!

Full play read-through

2005-07-06T10:10:00.000Z

We had a complete cast read through of the whole play last night. Evenings like this are important I think, so that everyone involved understands the play as it is with our cast, and their own part in our telling of the story.

I've noticed that most of the photos on this page are of us all reading round tables, with books in hand - so there's no photo of last night cos it's much the same thing!

Interesting night though. Got some timings (Act I 37 mins, Act II 33 mins, Act III 37 mins, Act IV 26 mins) and listened hard. It was obvious where some people hadn't read their parts yet (you all know who you are!), and also (I'm pleased to say) an obvious marked difference between the bits we'd rehearsed and those we hadn't!

Some great moments though. The play definitely has more funny moments than you would think and the drama works even when we're just sitting round a table!

Well, more absentees for Sunday's rehearsal so we will have to cancel that one (7 people out of the 13 called are unavailable!) and re-jig the schedule again (anyone else spotting a running theme).

Cast-wise, our Francis Nurse had to pull out for personal reasons and we still have no Danforth yet, or Tituba! Ending on some good news though. We're fortunate that Ron White is available and willing to play the part of Francis Nurse, and that Tony Goddard has agreed to play Marshal Herrick. We've decided that a talented member of our crew will play Hopkins.

So we're basically in a very healthy position, I'm thrilled with the casting so far, great design and technical crew, we just need to look at maybe maybe adding more rehearsals and casting our remaining parts!

Act 1 rehearsal

2005-07-03T23:18:00.000Z

We rehearsed the second half of Act 1 today, and it went well. There is still some work to do on this scene, but the bones are basically there.

The girls came first thing, and mostly had to wait till the end. I hate it when that happens, so I felt sorry for them so we will try to be a bit more careful about that in the future!

Also had a strong rehearsal with Proctor and Abi earlier in the day. Made some good discoveries about the characters and ended with a very strong scene.

So, it's shaping up. There is some general character work yet to do with some of the cast, and I'm still waiting for the final set design, but we've got enough time!

Check back for more soon!

Workshop rehearsal

2005-07-01T17:42:00.000Z

We held a workshop last night with the Salem girls. The aim was to create a sense of group, and to look at the group dynamics involved in the sort of hysteria which the script calls for.

What a great night. I haven't enjoyed a rehearsal as much for ages. Thanks to the girls for participating completely and throwing yourselves into it (no matter how weird the request!).

Richard and Fiona joined in where appropriate but we left it to the girls for the difficult stuff.

So, I was really proud of our workshop achievements. For more photos, click here.

New rehearsal schedule and some casting conversations

2005-06-28T11:56:00.000Z

So, Richard and I got together again last night (this has now officially taken over my life). Casting is my prime concern - we're still short of a Danforth and a Tituba. It's going to be difficult to rehearse scenes with the absentees and ommssions. For example, tonight's rehearsal requires Danforth and we haven't got one!

So, we discussed casting and have some numbers to ring (someone is interested and will be getting back to me tomorrow). We also re-jigged the schedule because we had to cancel a rehearsal on Sunday. The new version can be found here

Sunday's reharsal was cancelled because it required (among others) Tituba (not yet cast), Abigale (had become unavailable), Rebecca Nurse (had become unavailable) and Mrs Putnam (had become unavailable). DOH!

So, into tonight's rehearsal without a Danforth.

We're having a workshop for the girls on Thursday. I'm looking forward to this. If any of the girls are reading this, please were comfortable clothes (eg. no mini skirts!) and arrive promtly! We're going to be concentrating on: physicality of the group and voice. Cool.

Some good news though. Chris Bassett has agreed to play Cheever. Chris is an old friend of The Barnstormers and will be a valuable member of the team. I'm personally thrilled that he is involved in the play.

OK then, best get on. Rehearsal photos soon I hope.

1st rehearsal

2005-06-23T09:15:00.000Z

Had a rehearsal with the actors playing John & Elizabeth Proctor last night. We used a hall in Godstone which was great because it's cheap, spacious and about 1 minutes walk from my house!! We may use this hall more often.

We all worked hard and I was very pleased with the scene we rehearsed (opening of Act two). Unfortunately, we only achieved half of what I wanted to, so now we'll have to add another rehearsal and push rehearsal time through a bit more!! It was worth it though, as we left it, the scene was excellent.

Interesting discussions and discoveries:
- Objectives / actions / beats etc.
- The awkwardness of the initial scene (their underlying dialogue) and how the dialogue pacing helped this
- distance and spacing onstage and how that informs their relationship
- How Elizabeth is more perceptive in life than John
- How John uses his anger
- Where the script defines their relationship
- How God is used as a weapon so early in the script
- etc.

Good rehearsal, and certainly a good start. People's unavailability is changing again, so I will have to re-jig the schedule yet again. This is now getting a bit tedious, but what can you do? We need the right people at the rehearsals otherwise it becomes pointless. OK, rant over, back to the schedule planner!

Cast get-together

2005-06-21T13:54:00.001Z

Most made it to the get-together, despite us mistakenly planning it to coincide with father's day!

It was the hottest day so far this year, and the Pimms and beer flowed well! Many of the cast had not met before so it was interesting to watch the dynamics. Everyone seemed to get on though and it looked like they all had a good time. I certainly did!

By popular request we had a 'dip' into the script with a read-through, which actually turned into a reading of Act 1 and some of Act 3. Amazingly, the play was even powerful and disturbing in those circumstances, just goes to show how god a piece of writing it is!

So, first rehearsal on Thursday (Act 2 John & Elizabeth) and an intense rehearsal period to follow.

Not sure how this blog will work after rehearsals start, I will probably try to update it weekly with progress and areas of concern. Cast availability is bad (which to an extent is to be expected when you have a talented cast), so I imagine that's going to be gripe number 1.

Also, any technical meetings or major design changes will feature. If you want to hear about any particular aspect of the process, or my thoughts on any aspects of the play, leave a comment or email me and I'll see what I can do!

Set design meeting

2005-06-14T08:48:00.000Z

The Barn during a rehearsal for another play

We had a set design meeting last night. Paul Bowles, Richard & I discussed the staging and design for each scene. We have (I think) arrived at a workable solution which supports the play, uses The Barn aesthetics and is original and novel, without being a 'special effect' (if you know what I mean!).

We will have a movable wall in front of the back cyc. made up of timber frames, typical of the era, with white plaster board inbetween. The vertical and horizontal struts of wood (made to look like The Barn architecture) will have a random feel, but in fact will take some careful planning on Paul's part. The white boards will be removable, giving us the windows, doors and cupboards needed for each scene. For the last, jail, scene, we will remove all of the boards, leaving the wooden 'bars'.

This is a really strong idea (not mine!) which I am really excited about. The wall can be angled and bought downstage as appropriate, giving me flexibility for differing aspects and angles.

Also, we will have a standard set of furniture which will be used for each scene. Two benches, a table and a chair.

So, more auditions this weekend (for Danforth) and the cast get together on Sunday (I'll get some photos for the blog from the get together). I'd better get on and do the rehearsal schedule!

Lastly, if you want to leave comments, questions or anything, please do! You can leave comments anonymously (if that helps!)

Parris is cast

2005-06-03T13:50:00.000Z

I'm thrilled to welcome Philip Laughton to the cast. Philip auditioned last night and proved to be a competent and effective actor who I'm sure will fit into the team very well. Another strong audition!

Out of the major cast, just a Danforth and Tituba to cast now.

Get together

2005-05-27T07:23:00.000Z

Richard & I met last night to discuss the get-together and decided to organise it for Sunday the 19th June, in the afternoon. Should be a good social event and we may organise a read through as well (depending). It's important to get as many of the cast together as possible for this event to help create a strong team spirit.

We also went through people's unavailability and it's pretty common right across the rehearsal period (to be expected I suppose!) so it looks like my computer program could be useful!

Still looking for a Danforth, Parris & Tituba!

More cast announcements

2005-05-25T20:55:00.000Z

Two bits of news. Richard and I have had breaks (Richard has done some Shakespeare at the Barn, and I went to Orlando - more details in my personal blog). Anyway here is the news:

We have cast our Elizabeth Proctor. After many auditions, we've found someone who is both physically right, and has the inner strength and composure. There were many who came close but I'm pleased to say that Clare Tibbalds auditioned last night and accepted the role today!

Unfortunately, Aquilla (our Tituba) has had to drop out, which leaves us with another important role to fill. Shame, but one of those things.

Lastly, I should announce that Fiona Steel has agreed to be assistant director for the production. I'm thrilled about this - Fiona and I made a good team for into The Woods and I greatly respect her opinion and talent.

So next, Richard, Fiona and I will meet to discuss the remaining casting requirements, and book the first get together. I think it's important that we have a complete cast by then, so we have to pull out all the stops now! Immediately after that, we have to start rehearsals.

I have written a computer program which creates the rehearsal schedule automatically, using the cast's unavailability, the hall bookings, the importance of each scene and attempts to usefully use people at each rehearsal (minimising the amount of time that people hang around). I used an early version for Into The Woods, but this is much better. If it works out, I'll probably look to publish it on the web somehow. If anyone wants to see it, drop me a line or leave a comment here.

OK then, hopefully more casting news soon and some photos from the get together.

Audition Results

2005-04-28T08:41:00.000Z

So, here is the casting news so far:

John Proctor - Steve Palmer
Elizabeth Proctor - Not yet cast
Abigail Williams - Camilla Rockley
Deputy Governor Danforth - Not yet cast
Reverend Samuel Parris - Not yet cast
Reverend John Hale - Chris Chaplin
Giles Corey - John Bennett
Mary Warren - Lucy Coward
Tituba - Aquilla Fearon
Thomas Putnam - Alan Merricks
Rebecca Nurse - Elizabeth Callow
Judge Hathorne - Peter Shore
Francis Nurse - Dave Watkins
Betty Parris - Lottie Davies
Sarah Good - Stella Thomas
Ezekiel Cheever - Not yet cast
Ann Putnam - Fiona Steel
Mercy Lewis - Katie Challis
Susanna Walcott - Melissa Cox
Marshal Herrick - Not yet cast
Hopkins - Not yet cast
Salem Girl - Cathy Biles
Salem Girl - Katharine Callow
Salem Girl - Holly Sayer
Salem Girl - Abigail Thomas-Verweij

As you can see, some major parts still to be decided on! The parts which have been cast above are with very strong actors who fit their roles very well. Any compromise on casting now would stand out amoung such a good company, so we will have to search hard for the right people to fill the vacant roles!

More news as it happens!

Paul

Auditions

2005-04-26T08:14:00.000Z

Richard talking to the auditionees

Well, we've had auditions now and it has been amazing. I'm not in a position to announce any final castings here yet but I wanted to give you a flavour of how it all went.

As I think has already posted, there were so many girls going for Abi, Mary & other girls that we split the day and had girls auditions in the morning. From that we identified some to come back in the afternoon to help find our Abi / Mary, and some girls who were potential village girls.

Martin Patrick (who is a talented performer and director, and a director of the Barn theatre) sat on the audition panel all day. It was always going to be a good idea to get another opinion, but Martin was also able to make observations and comments about things I would not have necessarily thought about. Thanks for your help Martin!

So, back to the auditions themselves. The quality of auditions from these young girls surprised me greatly. There was a lot of intelligence and maturity in most interpretations, and most girls were able to take direction very well. I also asked every girl to scream. This was an interesting test!!

The afternoon was for the recalled girls and other auditions. A good friend of mine - Simon Downing, sat in on the afternoon session with Martin as an impartial observer. Simon is a professional actor of note and someone of whom I have a great respect. He brings with him an instinctive in built knowledge of theatre and I value his opinion. I was pleased because for the most part, we all agreed with the decisions made.

So, it's now our job to look at various combinations of actors, to get the most effective mix. The heartbreaking thing about this stage is that there are actors who gave amazing auditions, but who may not fit in the mix of other actors. It is genuinely sad!

So, that's all I wanted to say. It's an exciting project and I'm really excited about the team, this is a great start!

I'll announce parts on here as soon as I can. Feel free to comment!

Graphics

2005-04-18T08:15:00.000Z

Making a pact with the Devil

I've uploaded some graphics and the handbill. They can be viewed as a group here.

I'll be adding all the photos from the rehearsal process and the performance itself there as and when.

Auditions start

2005-04-18T07:23:00.000Z

We had two auditions today. Both of these people will be away for the main auditions next weekend, so we held some in advance for them.

I can't talk about one of them, for obvious reasons, but I shall mention the other because he is a very likely casting for John Proctor.

We will obviously be holding auditions on Saturday, and there may be other auditionees for this part but at present, we have this person very strongly in mind.

We've contacted all others that we know who are auditioning for John Proctor, to tell them now. Exciting huh?!?

Community singing

2005-04-16T16:12:00.000Z

Yet another idea for the opening sequence, which I don't think I've detailed here yet.

What I want to do with the opening sequence is:
- set a style and standard for the rest of the play
- achieve a sense of community for Salem (dysfunctional as it is!)
- show a community bound by a theocracy
- show Abigail and Mercy as ringleaders among the youth
- give the audience a sense of contrast with the religious community and the dancing in the woods.

So here's the current plan:
We open with the Salem township (I'll think about whether this should include Proctor etc. or not!) singing hymns. This is happening as the audience take their seats. At show start, we will project "The Crucible" on the muslin curtain. Then, as Parris leads them off through the theatre, Abi and Mercy get Tituba and the other girls and steal away, going onstage, behind the muslin curtain. The hymns can still be heard as the cast are lead out and a subtle tribal rhythm joins the sound-scape.

Then, subtly, shadows and shapes appear on the muslin curtain which gradually clarify to show the girls dancing in the woods. Parris then reappears and walks down to the stage and the tribal beat grows and the girls build to a rhythmic crescendo. At a given point, Parris shouts as the Muslin cloth drops to a blackout. Then the play starts.

I am concerned about giving too much to the audience, and adding this scene unnecessarily. After all, if Miller wanted this sort of info for the audience then he would have written it. However, I think it sets the atmosphere I want. Best to try it and see what happens!!! Obviously, I'll keep you all posted on here!

Production Team Complete

2005-04-14T07:10:00.000Z

Well, we now have a complete Production Team:

Producer: Richard Allen
Director: Paul Longhurst (me!)
Production/Set Design: Paul Bowles
Sound Technician: Paul Knight
Lighting Designer: Brian List
Costume Design: Andrea Allen

I've not yet (knowingly) met Paul Knight or Brian List, but I know their reputation and I'm very excited - this is a top notch team! I just wish there weren't so many Paul's!!

Amateur Stage

2005-04-13T15:22:00.000Z

Apparently, the Amateur stage have asked that I keep a diary of the production process for their paper, and I thought this blog may as well be the backbone! So, I should be posting regularly with photos.

We're currently preparing for auditions. There's a lot of interest from young girls. It seems that Abigail is a part that most teenage girls want to play! Unless I'm blown away by a younger girl, my tendancy is to cast this part and Mary Warren older than their stage age. They both require a very wide range of acting, sexual & peer powerplays etc. and I'm not convinced that a younger girl can provide this. We'll see how it goes. We do want a group of ten girls for ACT III (the court scene), so we'll be using some of these younger girls.

Not aware of anyone auditioning for Danforth at the moment. May have to advertise for this one (or beg someone we know!) Hopefully someone will turn up on the day.

We are auditioning in April but first rehearsal isn't till June so we'll have a while to fill the casting gaps. It's important to me that we are completly cast by the time of the first rehearsal.

Set design collapse

2005-03-29T18:33:00.000Z

I've been thinking about the set design. We're considering using a roof of wooden beams for Acts 1 and 2, in a ^ shape for Act 1 and - shaped for act 2. This would be raw wooden beams with nothing inbetween (to let the lights through).

Then, for act 3, we'd drop them in the interval and fill the gaps. This would create a wall. Lastly, for Act 4, we'd remove the fills and leave the beams, to give the impression of bars.

So, my latest idea is that at the end of the play, the bars collapse, leaving one upright and one cross bar in the shape of a cross. We're then considering having a noose drop from the crossbar of the cross. This last image, silhouetted against the lit back-cloth could be very powerful.

Welcome

2005-03-28T18:45:00.000Z

Just set this up to keep a diary of the Crucible creation process.
please check in to see progress!