Monthly Archive for March, 2009
This morning, myself and Sir Les Stringer (Sir Anthony Absolute) headed to Birmingham Costume Hire to try on a selection of outfits kindly prepared for us there by Paul Spilsbury.
Amidst this Aladdin’s Cave containing everything from hula skirts to astronaut suits, was a fine array of jackets for us to try – and one potential option may even see Sir Anthony delivering a little sing-along number thanks to its musical buttons! My jacket looked rather splendid, even on top of a t-shirt – so it was a shame to have to leave it behind.
Things are starting to gather momentum around the production, which brings both nervousness and excitement. But if even if I don’t manage to get those pesky lines learnt in time, thanks to Paul and our designer Mary, I should at least look the part…(!)
Having been given leave to miss today’s rehearsal, it was with a clear conscience that I headed to Bath in order to immerse myself in the world of The Rivals. So, rather than merely pretend to ponce about on the North Parade, I got to do it for real (amidst torrential rain and hail).
It was a hoot to wander through the city’s impressive architecture and imagine how the play’s characters, with whom I’ve now become so familiar, would have paraded around. Seeing places referred to in the script was certainly fun and brought passages of the play to life.
SIR ANTHONY: I observed your niece’s maid coming forth from a circulating library…
There’s an ambiance around Bath that our director has encouraged us to learn about and bring to the performance. Surely, the play could not exist without the backdrop of Bath’s social setting at the time. So, as well as wet feet and a stinking cold, I hope I’ve brought a little bit of the city’s personality back with me…
Hard working Arts Manager, Robert Ball, today took a break from set painting to participate in the final round of this week’s BBC Radio WM Workplace Challenge – and won! Despite a rocky final round in which Robert dropped points for the first time, The Crescent beat off Big Cat Communications to take the title of weekly winner. Robert didn’t score enough points, though, to make it to the top of the leader board.
Robert Ball, Arts Manager, has now extended his lead to three points on BBC Radio WM’s Workplace Challenge (daily on the Les Ross Show at 1445 and 1515 GMT). But, with two rounds to go everything could still change.
| Monday Part One [Download MP3] | |
| Monday Part Two [Download MP3] |
| Tuesday Part One [Download MP3] | |
| Tuesday Part Two [Download MP3] |
| Wednesday Part One [Download MP3] | |
| Wednesday Part Two [Download MP3] |
The Crescent Youth Theatre’s senior group show based on The House Of Bernarda Alba, Yerma and Blood Wedding is in its final few days of rehearsal. Fans of the youth theatre expect to see innovative staging, surprising and thought-provoking material and enthusiastic, energetic performances from emerging new talent and you won’t be disappointed!
15 March update: many thanks to everyone who came to see the show. If you missed it, here are a few of the comments from audience members:
I was really wowed by the Crescent Youth Theatre’s Lorca Trilogy. Go and see it if you can.
A genuinely interesting, moving and entertaining piece of theatre; powerful stuff and some cracking performances.
One of the most ineteresting pieces I’ve seen at the theatre in a while.
I thought it was brilliant!! One of the most intense, creative and powerful pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a long time.
Splendid – I enjoyed last night very much.
I really really enjoyed it and thought there were some brilliant performances. It is the first youth theatre production I have seen and I was so impressed with the high standard of work. Look forward to the next one!
The music department at Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre is coming up trumps for our forthcoming production of THE BUS. Based on the motif of violin music mentioned in the play, a selection of songs have been recorded that will be played throughout each performance; what they are and how they fit with the action of the play you’ll have to find out for yourself by coming along between 14 and 21 March.
Then, next weekend, under the musical direction of Gary Spruce, a choir will be recording a piece of music for use in the final scene of the play. The choir has been rehearsing hard ahead of the recording and the music they produce will be truly wonderful. Below is a shot of the choir in action last night (Sunday, 1 March).
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