38: Backstage at The Full Monty

This last week I've been performing in the Alexandra Musical Society's production of The Full Monty. here are a few pictures of my fellow cast members.

Genna Bruce and Bridget McArthur

Sally Davies

Bronwyn Barnes

Kate Mulvihill

Kelly Keenan and Suzanne Russell get their hair done

Kieron Ingram looks terrified in make-up

The Molly wig

Tim Cadogan gets double treatment

 

The cast listen to the pre-show briefing

Bridget's praying mantis impression

A rare quiet moment in the women's dressing room

Week Forty-Nine: Going Rural!

We're working hard in rehearsals for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gardens, as you can see. Picnic baskets in the Botanic Gardens by the pond in glorious sunshine. Okay, so it's not all hard work...

The boys (Jason Fullerton, David Oakley and Sam Farr) are increasingly perturbed by the lack of mustard. I know - you'll just have to come along and see it in performance (January 21-23).

My friend, Mad Alice was having a birthday party in a woolshed, as you do. She wrote in her invitation, 'Remember the good ol' Woolshed Dances we had in the 1970'S??!!' Actually, no, but I went along to see what it was all about. It was very rural - I danced in a woolshed, slept in a tent, sat on a haybale and communed with nature (by which I mean I sneezed a lot). It was fun (apart from maybe all the sneezing).

 

See those skies - that's Central Otago scenery right there folks!



 

These curious cats investigate our sleeping arrangements. Later they bring us viscerated rabbits and calmly lick their paws.

The girls gather round the tables while the boys gravitate to the barbeque, but at least all are drinking.

 
 
 
 

Where did you get that hat?

 
 

And inside the woolshed, things are quintessentially Kiwi, apparently.

 
 

 
 

The next morning, as we pack up our tent, we are treated to a Van Gogh style sky with broiling clouds.

Week 49: Much Ado About Rehearsals

Apart from the odd triathlon and drink with friends, my week has mainly been taken up with peparation for Shakespeare on Location. Between planning costumes, venues, songs, schedules and notes, I've even managed to hold a few rehearsals - here's one from Much Ado About Nothing. Hero and Ursula "walk in the orchard" where they lay "false sweet bait" for Beatrice to overhear.

"The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish

Cut with her golden oars the silver stream,

And greedily devour the treacherous bait:

So angle we for Beatrice."

"But Nature never fram'd a woman's heart,
Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice."

"And therefore certainly it were not good,
She knew his love lest she'll make sport at it."

"But who would tell her so? If I should speak,
She would mock me into air, O she would laugh me
Out of myself, press me to death with wit."

"She's limed I warrant you,
We have caught her Madam."

"What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true?"