RehearsalBlog

Last rehearsal

What a long day yesterday's get in was. The stage crew and some of the cast were up at the crack of dawn unloading and putting our Sweet Charity set together and the lighting crew set all the lights and then the band arrived after lunch and wow what a sound they made - Quite different from the piano in the hall!

We had a technical run in the evening so the stage and props crew could get right where and when everything needed to be and we cast got used to the set and walking frug-like up and down the steps.

Tonight it's our dress rehearsal and we'll also get to don our wigs and false eyelashes.

It's all very exciting now and can't wait for opening night tomorrow.

Announcing the "Chiappi Awards"

You have all heard of the OSCARS. No, not our Oscar from Sweet Charity but "THE OSCARS" from LA, well.....

It is time to resurrect the "CHIAPPI' AWARDS" once again. This is a set of awards given out on the last night of the show week to highlight certain aspects of rehearsals or live performance.  

I would like nominations for categories and of course subjects. I want you to highlight or low-light your fellow cast members most notable moments (mistakes).  

You know what I'm after. All nominations are, of course, subject to the utmost secrecy & data protection act blah blah.  

I will start the nomination category selections off with "Most Hippiest Hippy" this to include both performance and costume accessories. I will award a bottle of Tanquery Gin to the winner of this category on the last night. Nominees so far are Alice, Tim Nixon and Frenchie for their appearance at the leaflet hand out at Watersmeet 2 weeks back.  

JB, you are leading in the category "Least likely to make it as a boxer" for your performance against Alice in the Frug boxing ring. But there is always time for somebody to beat that.  

So send your suggestions to the blog for categories and your nominations to me direct. j.ross756@btinternet.com  

Come on the gloves are off and you could get nominated

 
Jamie Ross

 

Jo M has thrown down the gauntlet

Well done to Jo Martin for being in the number 1 slot for selling the most Sweet Charity tickets this week.
Here's this week's top 5 best Sweet Charity sellers:

   1. Jo Martin
   2. Petrina (wig and make up lady)
   3. Vee (me!)
   4. Joint - Mandi and Clare

Beat the Post Strike:
Order your tickets by phone 0844 745 1944
Send the money (cash or cheque) via cast members to rehearsal or the various drop off points –  (Box Office will advise)
Leave an email address so that we can email the e-ticket  

I’ll reveal the top 5 sellers at next Thursday’s rehearsal – will anyone be able to catch up with Jo and knock her off the top slot?

Vee - Box Office Manager (and lady with hat!)

Thoughts of a new boy.....................

When I saw my old mate Rossi in your production of Jekyll & Hyde, I could see what fun you had on stage!

He also told me how nice you all were and about the after-show parties............

So here I am along with my friends from HLOC - Tina, Alice & Frenchie ( Stephanie ) and Rossi was right - you do enjoy yourselves!

After lifting Jo for the umpteenth time last Sunday, he looked at me across her legs and said - "do you know, neither of us have been stretched so much before....and can you keep your end up?"

Which of course is right!

In a show where two of the main dancers are a fit ( half marathons & hockey ) mid-forty year olds - it is comforting for us to see so many youngsters putting in an enormous amount of effort to try and carry us and mixing socially with us 'older ones'!

I love the infectious energy and enthusiasm that comes from Sarah and Simeone.

After a hard days work, or arduous Saturday playing golf and / or hockey in the afternoon - you need motivation to drive 25 minutes on a dark night or afternoon to dance for 4 hours.

Both Sarah and Simeone certainly provide the motivation and the encouragement from the rest of the cast, in assisting me with my stomach in the boxing moves is very much appreciated.

I would like to thank everyone in Ricky Players for making me ( and the others from HLOC )  feel so welcome and who knows, I may stay on into the woods and the willows?

Yours with a sore neck,

JB.x.

Jamie's thoughts

Well the dynamic is certainly different from this time last year in Jekyll & Hyde.

Am I referring to the cast , the director, or maybe the mysterious Italian MD?

No I am referring to the vast improvement in the cake situation. I even turn up when not called for some of Joe's, Tina's or Petrina's cakes. Ladies you are the greatest!

 

There are a few new faces and of course and a mix of the old regulars. Yes, I can say "Old", Simon, as you are closing in on your silver jubilee with Ricky Players. And dancing this time without walking sticks? see......

 

If somebody walked in off the street and into our rehearsals they would not be able to tell the new faces from the old. This is a tribute as to how well the new faces to Ricky Players have just joined in and gelled.  

 

That said there are a few exceptions to this....

 

John Bennett: being the only person to appear on the rehearsal photo board looking directly at the camera and smiling in every shot !

 

Alice: for starting the tartiest tart competition a month too early. By the way Alice you are 2nd behind John Bennett in this competition.

 

Wayne: AKA Doom: For preparing for the matinee performance "Gags", again a month too early, by passing every item across the chorus to Tim, except a handkerchief as it says in the "Wedding song" These items included a child's rhyme book and a Fire exit sign!

 

The theme that runs through both this show and the last is the laughter and the energy. But then again I put this down to the cakes...................

 

  Jamie Ross

Frenchie is in the diary room

What a buzz it was when I arrived for rehearsal on 10th September: there seemed to be dozens of people coming and going everywhere. Wardrobe ladies coming with dazzling costumes to try on, photoshoots going on, directors getting ready... lots of new faces and such a positive energy & enthusiasm: never seen something quite like it! Let's keep our spirits up and dedication: it's fantastic!

Steph (aka "Frenchie")

Petrina the stage make-up expert

Petrina shows us how to apply sixties' make-up

Strictly and Sweet Charity

Amazing! The pro's danced to 3 numbers from Sweet Charity on Strictly Come Dancing last night towards the end of the programme while waiting for the results to be counted up. I think we sing it better though!

Can't wait until we finish setting Rythym of Life, as I'm lovin' it so far!

Vee aka Lady with Hat

PS if you missed it.... here's a link to BBC iplayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mzt3d/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Series_7_Week_1_Show_2/

Sweet Charity - the start....

We've got our first get together for our next show tonight at St John Ambulance Hall in Berry Lane, Mill End and we'll find out about the next show, Sweet Charity, and how Sarah Chiappi, our director sees it going. There's been quite a bit of interest so I'm expecting to see a few new faces tonight.

Here's a bit on Sarah's take/synopsis....

"For those of you not familiar with Sweet Charity, it’s set in the 60s and is a show about a girl called Charity and her exploits through various different relationships. From conmen and losers to flirtations with the rich and famous, love’s path is never easy and poor Charity is certainly put to the test. Will it be a happy ending? Well you’ll have to turn up on our first get together on 9th July to find out!

The style is quite different from the traditional musical...think Chicago meets Hair and you will not be too far off, so lots of opportunities for big dance numbers, parts a plenty and some great musical numbers, the most famous of which has to be “Big Spender” &
“Rhythm of Life”

Following on from 9th July, we will have sing throughs the following Monday (13th) and
Thursday (16th) with auditions on Sunday 19th.

Look forward to seeing you all there at 7.45pm on 9th July!

Sarah XX

 

Tim Oakley is in the diary room

Tonight's the night that my three bedrooms will be populated by six characters. The excitement (and worry) at the completion of a design, construct and build project for a stage set is no less than for a housing complex, barn conversion or commercial property. However, for the latter I had a strictly hands off approach to the construct and build stages. The former has involved me in every brush of paint, every saw cut, every screw and every panel pin, assisted by a small band of helpers, drawn largely from the cast, but also involving friends non-members. I'm pleased with the result, and hope the cast and audience will be also.
Oh, and cast. Please keep my bedrooms tidy!