Category: 2016-2017

Posted on: June 11, 2017 Posted by: Mary Comments: 0

Review of A Streetcar Named Desire by Jean Balmforth

How full of riches this play is: poetically heightened language, intense emotions and enthralling, psycho-sexual, narrative. It also has a setting of unique charm: the faded French quarter of mid twentieth century New Orleans, where live jazz and blues are the background music to city dwellers’ lives. Tennessee Williams is a distinctive voice in American Theatre and Streetcar is his masterpiece. Quite a challenge for the KLP, under the direction…

Posted on: January 12, 2017 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Pantomime Part 9 – Showtime!

The show is on! Well, that is it. The final dress rehearsal was last night, I have handed over the reigns of control to Ros, our Stage Manager and my work here is done. After months of planning and weeks of work we finally have a show on our hands, and what a sparkling, fun-filled show it is. I am extremely proud of the cast and crew and am really…

Posted on: January 10, 2017 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Pantomime Part 8 – Conflict and Compromise

Conflict and compromise. I can’t quite believe we have reached this point, but we had our first dress rehearsal last night for Mother Goose. I’d like to say it went really well, but we still have a few creases to iron out and a few tweaks to make before we are fully show ready. Happily we have our final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, and even happier still we have a…

Posted on: January 9, 2017 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Pantomime Part 7 – Things are coming together

It’s all coming together! We have just emerged from a very busy weekend preparing for this week’s Panto, Mother Goose. On Saturday we had our first rehearsal on the stage and in costume, always a challenge and always a huge distraction for all involved. Exciting for those of us in the driving seat to start to see things coming together, and confusing for those on stage wondering where the heck…

Posted on: January 4, 2017 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

Get fit for the New Year

If you’re one of the thousands of us starting the New Year with a resolution to get fit, did you realize that laughter can actually be a workout itself? Studies have shown that laughter can boost the immune system and it lowers your blood pressure. It exercises the muscles in your shoulders, abdomen, back and face and is a great workout for the respiratory system. Apparently, laughing 100 times a…

Posted on: January 1, 2017 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

It’s snowing in Kings Langley!

Yes, would you believe it – New Years day at the Community Centre in Kings Langley and we were showered with a little snowfall this morning. Our technical team have treated themselves this Christmas to a brand new snow machine and we plan to make good use of it in the Panto. As Mother Goose and her team are heading off to snowy Scandinavia and the Palace of Ice, this…

Posted on: December 23, 2016 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Pantomime Part 6 – Momentum and the Mannequin Challenge

Momentum and the Mannequin Challenge Well we had our last rehearsal last night before Christmas, and we had the best energy in the room that we have had so far. I added a couple of Christmas games to keep everyone’s attention and to make it a bit of fun, but everyone also worked extremely hard and we got a lot done. I am now at the point where I think…

Posted on: December 16, 2016 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Pantomime Part 5 – Secret Squirrel

Secret squirrel… There’s top secret stuff going on at rehearsals now, and boy do we have some surprises for you. I have been debating over the last few weeks about what to tell you about in the blog and which photos to print and it is not easy. We need to tempt you all in, but at the same time save some surprises for when you are there. So for…

Posted on: December 6, 2016 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a pantomime part 4 – Flexibility

Flexibilty is key. I have discovered recently that if I am to achieve my goal of producing this panto the way I would like it to be done I am going to have to be flexible in my approach. I still know exactly what I want to achieve, and remain committed to my end goal, but I am willing to go with the flow and make some changes along the…

Posted on: November 29, 2016 Posted by: Sally-Anne Rafferty Comments: 0

How to direct a Panto part 3 – Flying Geese

How to direct a Panto part 3 – Flying Geese Having decided that I wanted to direct a Panto and chosen a script, my first job was to read through it and see if there were any showstoppers that would prevent us from being able to put on the show. Sometimes there are casting challenges, sometimes there are technical challenges, sometimes there are financial challenges but for this production the challenge…