MUSICALS
Annie
Guys and Dolls
Grease
VARIETY
Oh What A Night
The Xmas Factor
OTHER
Raise Your Voice
What Is With That Old Lady?! |
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THE DIRECTOR'S
POST-SHOW BLOG By Shaun Kitchener
Wow.
Guys and Dolls went truly amazingly. Such a fantastic experience, I
was so proud of all of us - we did it! I never, at any point,
thought I'd be saying this... but in all honesty, I think it wiped
the floor with Grease. Grease was amazing, but this put it to shame.
The kids just drove it forward throughout, they really enjoyed
themselves and it was just a fantastic day... I can't do it justice
in words. I haven't been in such a happy mood in ages!
Of course it wasn't without its drama. In fact in the evening show
there was a MAJOR drama. But it was still a fantastic show.
Before the afternoon show I think the majority of us were petrified,
not only because of the usual pre-show nerves but also because of
the daytime atmosphere. As with any show, a matinee risks falling
flat due to an unresponsive audience, and obviously with the Church
Hall an additional problem is that the daylight just pours in, there
are no curtains or blinds for the windows. But it went great... we
told the cast to give it their all whatever the atmosphere was, and
they did. And in all honesty, I don't even care about embarrassment,
when they came out to take their bow I was welling up so much I
could barely see. When Anthony, Sophie, Adam and Shannen took their
bows and the crowd applauded and wooped for them I was so proud of
them. So so proud.
The evening show was when the drama kicked in. The show began as
planned, and from operating the spotlight at the back of the hall I
got a text from Mark saying Adam was feeling ill. Then when it was
time for him to come on, nothing happened. I dashed backstage to
find Nicci and Mark desperately trying to talk to Adam but him
remaining adamant he was going nowhere. Anthony did great on the
stage, stayed in character and covered perfectly. We got Ben
Cartwright to go on and read the rest of the scene as Sky, and he
did great. But I figured Ben couldn't play Sky throughout because he
had his own character and a separate set of Sky songs. I ran through
to ask Dean to do it, and, without a second thought, he said yes.
And he went on stage, and he did it, and he sang "I'll Know" and he
was fantastic. And Shannen did well acting off of a brand new Sky.
If it hadn't been for Dean needing the book, the performance could
easily have been one that's been rehearsed for months. He did really
great.
I was gutted for Adam that he couldn't do the evening show. His mum
was gutted too, it was really upsetting to be honest, not
particularly from a frustrated point of view but from a sympathetic
point of view. I'm so pleased though that at least Adam's dad got to
see it in the afternoon. But thank God we have Dean though to go on
stage and do the character so well at such short - in fact
nonexistent - notice. What a professional. Adam will never forget
tonight, for all the wrong reasons, but he did great in the
afternoon. He really did.
By the finale of the evening show, the kids looked like they were
having the time of their lives, and ultimately that was all that
mattered. The show has had so much great feedback, I'm so proud of
what we achieved. Of course it's no West End or Arcadians
masterpiece, but it was fantastic, largely down to the kids'
performances. Such a tough show but well done. Even if, despite the
feedback, everyone in the audience loathed it, I don't really care.
I saw the rehearsals and saw it develop and can safely say that I am
over the moon with the show.
Well done everyone. It's been one hell of a rollercoaster, and if
you've been watching Broadway To Baldock you'll know that's not just
an expression. But I couldn't be prouder of them, and I must say it
has been such a pleasure to work with Dean, Mark, Nicci and Nat.
Nicci and Nat have been FANTASTIC additions to the production team,
I couldn't think of anyone better. Dean has always been a great
teacher and this show he upped that even more, and I think it took
leaving and coming back to help him develop that. And Mark, such a
bright influence to have at rehearsals every week. Always raises a
smile, and this past fortnight he's really been invaluable with
sorting stuff out. Guys - it's been an absolute pleasure to work
with you. WE DID IT!!!!!!
The Xmas Factor was good. Well, not in comparison, but good. Oh What
A Night was loads better. Grease, our first full production, was a
truly amazing, amazing experience and achievement. And I'm so
surprised and ecstatic that Guys and Dolls has been an even bigger
development. In the Spring, we take on Annie. And, as I kept telling
the cast in my pre-show pep talk, the only way is UP!
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