What a terrific first show! Thanks to everyone who came.
One of the problems acting in this comedy and any comedy for that matter is that the laughs I got early on in rehearsals soon dried up once everyone had heard them a couple of times. It can be quite difficult to remain positive when delivering a line that got a great laugh the first time and now gets little more than a stony silence - even from our prompt Margaret and her generous sense of humour. I had to fight the paranoia that attempts to creep in and ignore the questioning and self-doubt that seems to bubble to the surface. Why is no one laughing? Was it ever funny? Should I try doing it differently?
The best thing to do is treat it like a straight play. Forget it’s a comedy and convince yourself it’s the noblest of dramas. Even when your charmingly portly male co-star has you in his arms and is giving you a full on snog! Not only does this get me through the horrors of a deathly, unresponsive rehearsal, but it allows your audience (when you are finally and blissfully stood in front of them) to feel like they’re in on the joke rather than being spoon-fed the gags. After all, these characters we’re are playing are more often than not unaware that they have an audience - suspension of disbelief and all that.
I had some costume issues during the dress rehearsal, which really threw me and had me a bit worrying time yesterday. However, with the help of Karen’s incredible Velcro shirt the problem was resolved last night.
It was the first time I had got that particular scene right and so I was very surprised to experience it resulting in something new occurring in the scene; something that had never had a chance to develop through rehearsals. It was quite a thrill for something to happen for the first time not only for the audience, but for me too; very organic. I obviously won’t give the game away; you’ll have to wait and see if you have tickets and if you don’t have tickets and are intrigued get you and your friends some from here or call the box office on 01332 255800.
It took a while to come down from last night and now I really can’t wait for this evening’s performance.
