The Crescent’s new production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd opened on Saturday 28th May to an enthusiastic audience reaction, play the video above to hear some of the comments at the interval. The show is only on for one week until Saturday 4th June so book now to make sure you don’t miss it.
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In my last blog everything about Mary Stuart was still theoretical; I was editing the script, thinking about the staging and the characters were just voices in my head. Now the script is printed and bound, the set design has been approved at pre-production and the cast have been rehearsing for the last three weeks.
My feeling from the start, based on my own shameful ignorance of Tudor history, was that an hour and a half of 16th century politics would be a stretch for an audience if they didn’t recognise the contemporary parallels. But now the characters are inhabited by real, live actors the politics have become secondary to their personal stories.
Consequently I now feel I can chuck out some of my more egregious directorly interventions (but not the orange boilersuit – that stays!) and concentrate on telling the story. I spend rehearsals telling the actors to try everything in rehearsal and then get rid of what they don’t need and I’m in the process of taking my own advice.
Andrew Cowie (director)
Ello, this is the one and only Chief Weasel, here.
I’ve stolen myself one of those new fangled Blog things…I’m always looking for ways to spread my words of wisdom to the world at large, and on the cheap.
Just so happens I’ve heard that some people are going on a bit of a journey along the river. Weasel Norman has done a bit of digging around (he’s funny like that) and found out their names are Ratty & Moley. I don’t like Moles, they belong in holes! Now Rats are something else, I’ll have to be a bit more sneaky with him. A lovely couple of friends I’m sure, but that won’t stop me from trying to steal their boat, and taking their tasty food (that they’re bound to have with them for their journey). I can’t wait till I get my hands on that pair and have bit of ‘Wild Wooder’s’ fun with them!!
My spies are known as the Wild Wooders (or Chavs) and are everywhere. From the Wild Wooders I’ve got the news that a brand new shiny green motorcar has just been bought by a rich person called Froggy or Toady (I think he might be French), I can’t wait to get my hands on that car and take it for a spin.
I’ve got plans, big plans, that one day, perhaps as soon as the 7th of January 2010, my empire will finally begin to really take shape, in all of it’s truly hideous glory.
Until that time comes I’ll be in rehearsals, practicing my craft-yness), getting some dance moves on, my Wild Wooders dance troop are full of ‘Diversity’ and getting more horrible by the day (just the way I like it.), I might start calling them a ‘Travesty’.
I’ve just nicked myself a new outfit from TK MA-tri-X, it’s all black and shiny (fashion gurus Neo & Trinity would be proud). You might see me on the telly in a program (hosted by a tall skinny guy from the Black Country) called: Got Yam’s ‘How not to look good, but how to fix you up NASTY’.
Stay tuned my ‘orrible darlings.
Chief Weasel.
With a welcome Full House expected on Friday our first dress rehearsal guaranteed high pressure. Sunglasses and suitcases, nakedness and knickers, dancing and death all dominated proceedings to made for a highly charged and exciting performance.
Using a deliberate colour theme of red, white and black to single out individuals while simultaneously emphasising uniformity meant for superb lighting effects to take place. Chilling silhouettes and haunting red lights added to the menacing presence of the cast onstage. The Dress was quite simply chilling yet poignant, dark yet funny, moving and brilliant.
Seeing the choreography between scenes finally work as tightly as it promised to was a delight. Despite the music that is used being catchy and upbeat each song captures the mood of the play perfectly. The visual impact is quite something.
The heat was most certainly on with Karl who had to get naked for the first time in front of cast and crew. I think Wanda had booked a central seat on the front row… Not only did Karl have to deliver his lines expertly, he had to grapple with a big white sheet, a very sultry Sarah and of course timing his movement to the sounds of a creaking bed. Phew!!
The set, albeit simple, commanded its own level of pressure. With blocks and suitcases forming the entire set, each has to be positioned with strategic refinement. When each suitcase is as precarious as it promises to be stacked up high and full of ladies’ stockings and file paper, getting it right was critical. Fear of pulling a muscle or knocking them over was banished from the radar. It worked brilliantly! And looked amazing.
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