How to direct a Pantomime – Part 2….magic…
How to direct a Pantomime Part 2……magic….
Since my last blog entry something magical has been happening down at rehearsals. Despite the numerous hiccups we have had and despite the odd rehearsal when only half the cast could come, somehow everything seems to be magically coming together…
Firstly, everyone has been making a real effort to learn their songs, meaning that music rehearsals have been a joy to partake in (although the director really must stop singing soon – it is a little unnecessary).
Secondly, at our acting rehearsals the cast have been getting into character and embellishing their roles at every available opportunity and some of them are even off the book.
Thirdly – the costumes are coming along nicely and we are beginning to fill up the rail in the studio with some lovely Panto specials.
And finally with a little bit of what I can only imagine is pantomime magic, the atmosphere at rehearsals is joyous and everything is slowly shaping up.
It reminds me of that scene in Shakespeare in Love…….
Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don’t know. It’s a mystery.
A mystery it is indeed. I may be speaking too soon as we have almost 2 months to go, but with Christmas in between you can never be too complacent.
We still have PLENTY of work to do and we still need to find a new Props person to join our happy team, and a personal assistant to Mr Crow to help make sure he is wearing the right dress at the right time, but with a little more magic I feel confident that everything will turn out really rather well.
