Behind The Scenes With Dan: Week 2

Dan de Cruz, who is playing Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing has given us a sneaky peek at the second week of rehearsals:

Week Two: On Motorways and “Movement” calls

This week started off with me broken down on the M1. Glamorous.  Fortunately I had as my travelling companion the wonderful James Haggie who made the whole process an almost enjoyable experience. We used the time waiting for the RAC to run through some lines, practicing projecting over the roar of passing engines. Obviously we didn’t look strange at all.

6 hours after leaving home we arrived back in Stafford and to a hive of industry. This week we have been solidifying the music for the pre-show. For those of you coming (and if you’re not, why not? Book now!) this means if you turn up half an hour before the show you’ll be entertained with lots of awesome songs and fun. This year we’re setting the show post WW1 so there’s lots of fantastic music hall numbers to entertain. With a group of actor/musicians on the cast it means everyone’s busy learning instrumental lines alongside verbal lines, and the hallways were ablaze with a cacophony of flutes, clarinets, banjos, accordions and various other noise-making implements.

Genevieve, Kate and James in music rehearsals

Our musical director, Greg, has been crafting some beautiful arrangements of well-known, not so well-known, and original songs which we massacre for a while before falling into shape. It really is a pleasure to be part of this rehearsal process, watching so many talented people become a well-oiled unit so quickly to create a unified sound that will enhance the onstage action.

This onstage action is being equally well crafted by the guiding hands of our Director Peter Rowe. Using his Jedi mind tricks; where he makes us believe all the things we’re doing onstage were our ideas, and not suggestions he subtly planted in there earlier, he puts all the pieces in place. Shakespeare’s language is not always the easiest to come to terms with, but with Peter at the helm we have been finding the whole process painless and a lot of fun.

Along with the acting and music, this week brought Verity, our choreographer, into the fray.  Everyone was very eager for our dance call and there wasn’t a trace of apprehension in the cast about having to learn some moves (warning:sarcasm).

In our profession we tend to classify ourselves into dancers and “movers”.  Dancers are able to split leap across the stage, pirouette multiple times, throw themselves about and all in time to music. “Movers” can do all that minus the leaping, spinning and throwing. And sometimes they fall over. With the exception of Jake, we all declaimed ourselves “movers”.  Unfortunately I have to play the piano for both dances so couldn’t embarrass the others with my funky shapes, but they all took to it like ducks to water. One afternoon later and they could all upgrade themselves a category and we have a lovely ballroom scene.

Our delicious meal at Simply Bilash

It wouldn’t be a weekly blog without a restaurant update. This week we went for a cast curry (a very important tradition in this profession) to Simply Bilash. The excitement levels were up and spirits were high as we walked to the restaurant, especially as Phyl was going to try the famed Chocolate and Caramel Korma. Suffice to say, we all had a delicious meal and were very well looked after. We shall definitely be planning a return!







As for me personally, I am really enjoying being part of this amazing team of people.  Everyone here is genuinely lovely and I know that the show we’re creating is one I’m going to be proud of.

…What are you waiting for?  Book tickets!