SUNDAY
MATINEE PERFORMANCE
On Sunday we were able to have a more relaxed morning - an early cooked breakfast on the BBQ and a mini game of catch with a rugby ball as a physical warm up in the sun was a very nice way to start the day!
At 12 we headed back down to the venue, a much smoother setting off and arrival as everything was already packed and ready. The additional problem to the night before was that the matinee was at the height of the day - fine for if it had been cloudy as many of our rehearsal Sunday's had been because that would have meant it was at just the right temperature, but in the heatwave that was this weekend it was a definite challenge!
When we were dropped off in my capacity as co-producer I went to Tourist Information to pick up any reserved tickets and to speak to our contact there about if there had been any issues raised or any further considerations to be taken into account after the performance the night before but I was assured that everything was going well.
We set up the site quickly and were ready in good time for the matinee performance. Due to the weather we waited until the last possible moment to get the actors into costume to stave off heatstroke as best we could and kept making sure the actors were drinking enough water and staying in the shade as much as possible.
We set up the site quickly and were ready in good time for the matinee performance. Due to the weather we waited until the last possible moment to get the actors into costume to stave off heatstroke as best we could and kept making sure the actors were drinking enough water and staying in the shade as much as possible.
BACKSTAGE
With the Matinee show over it was time for the actors to take a break and eat and for the prep to begin for the evening show.
EVENING SHOW
In the evening, unfortunately Romeo (actor Jay Westaway) was suffering from the heat and everyone was feeling overheated but we persevered. We kept him in the shade as much as possible, and kept everyone supplied with water and sat down as much as possible. Thankfully by the interval it was beginning to cool off and everyone was able to be a lot more comfortable.
Despite the heat and discomfort the actors were still able to put their all into the performance and everyone was happy with the final outcome. The costumes bore it well, where Tanya had glue gunned some of the trimmings into place the glue began to fail but it was only in a few places so thankfully it was not too noticeable. Lady Capulets dress was one that we had some issues with keeping closed despite changing the popper fastenings for hooks and eyes, but thankfully with the judicious application of safety pins it lasted the weekend. The Nurse, we had added a neckcloth for the first performance but on the second day it was just too warm for any extra fabric and so we removed it.
The performance was well received by all who attended it! Here are some photographs from the second show - there will be more added later!
With the performance complete, it was once again time to pack up the costumes - this time making sure that the hires went into one suitcase, the bought and made pieces into the other - and the rest of the set and props. This took only half an hour this time, having done it the night before the process was a lot smoother.
It has been a wonderful experience getting to work with the actors, directing, designing and co-producing a show. I have learnt how to be a better director, how to better keep an accounts book, I have learnt a lot about advertising and the design of promotional materials. I have improved my ability to break down a script and design for Shakespeare - it also gave me the chance to research a time period I have never looked at in detail before as I have never designed for the Tudor period before, having instead designed for more modern and contemporary pieces and plays.
Now on to what comes next - which will be returning the costumes hires, laundry upon laundry for the made and bought costumes, tallying the amount we have made against the cost, and getting it all written up.
This production has been done on a profit share basis. Having been the one keeping the accounts book, I know that it is unfortunately unlikely that we have broken even - this will not be certain until we have the final result back from both the Lighthouse and from Swanage Tourist Information, however it is looking unlikely. With this in mind, and wanting the actors to not go away empty handed, I have decided to make a disk for each of the actors to keep of production photographs for them to be able to use for their portfolio's and show reels, as well as each getting a copy of the programmes.
These are the production photographs we took in the interval of all the cast in costume.
Despite the heat and discomfort the actors were still able to put their all into the performance and everyone was happy with the final outcome. The costumes bore it well, where Tanya had glue gunned some of the trimmings into place the glue began to fail but it was only in a few places so thankfully it was not too noticeable. Lady Capulets dress was one that we had some issues with keeping closed despite changing the popper fastenings for hooks and eyes, but thankfully with the judicious application of safety pins it lasted the weekend. The Nurse, we had added a neckcloth for the first performance but on the second day it was just too warm for any extra fabric and so we removed it.
The performance was well received by all who attended it! Here are some photographs from the second show - there will be more added later!
With the performance complete, it was once again time to pack up the costumes - this time making sure that the hires went into one suitcase, the bought and made pieces into the other - and the rest of the set and props. This took only half an hour this time, having done it the night before the process was a lot smoother.
It has been a wonderful experience getting to work with the actors, directing, designing and co-producing a show. I have learnt how to be a better director, how to better keep an accounts book, I have learnt a lot about advertising and the design of promotional materials. I have improved my ability to break down a script and design for Shakespeare - it also gave me the chance to research a time period I have never looked at in detail before as I have never designed for the Tudor period before, having instead designed for more modern and contemporary pieces and plays.
Now on to what comes next - which will be returning the costumes hires, laundry upon laundry for the made and bought costumes, tallying the amount we have made against the cost, and getting it all written up.
This production has been done on a profit share basis. Having been the one keeping the accounts book, I know that it is unfortunately unlikely that we have broken even - this will not be certain until we have the final result back from both the Lighthouse and from Swanage Tourist Information, however it is looking unlikely. With this in mind, and wanting the actors to not go away empty handed, I have decided to make a disk for each of the actors to keep of production photographs for them to be able to use for their portfolio's and show reels, as well as each getting a copy of the programmes.
These are the production photographs we took in the interval of all the cast in costume.
The Capulets
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