Week 16 - 333 days to opening night
So what do you do if you have no wing space. None. Zilch. De Nada. And you need wing space to store props/scenery? Weelllll my friends, one option is to store the stuff on stage in plain sight and make it part of the show. Yeah, on stage - in front of everyone. I'm thinking through the option of having crates on stage through out the production - which can store props etc in and become chairs or tables when needs be. The only problem is that they do have to be off stage when the big dance numbers are doing their thang. Hmmm. Will have to think about it. There's definitely an answer in there somewhere...
Also been looking at sorting myself out for next year as well - March onwards is pretty much blocked out for rehearsals, but its working out how much work I have to do this side of xmas, and keep my work-life-production balance in check. I think it's looking possible without pissing off any loved ones/friends/bosses and keeping my full time job at the same time. We'll see. Xmas is looking busy workwise, and we're also putting a on fundraiser show for Mack and Mabel which I've agreed to co-direct/assist Simon Leaton (HCP Member and M&M blog follower) in putting on a one act during the evening, the second half of the evening is choral stuff, I believe - don't know much at the moment as we have our first production meeting on the 3rd Sept (exactly a year on from Happy As A Sandbag ironically).
Must learn to say 'no' in my next life....
Neil
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hey :) like the hide it in full view thing! I also see the problem of shifting them, tho if on trolleys, they can be moved easily by cast too - sure you have thought of that one! As for one acts check out David Tristram, flying ducks publications i think, brenton v brenton is very clever, think Les even took a copy which David may have(done it on a tiny stage in the back of a pub!) but my faves are the Grimley series, - hysterical - cast of 4 - particularly last panto - all easy to direct / stage with little props (stuff people have so no real spend needed - good for fund raisers)- again done all of them in a back room of a pub where the cast change in a bottle store!. They all get a great audience response on a tight - zero budget , and very cleverly written too. I have loads of 1 act plays, drop me a mail i can post tons!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, feel like Im living the nightmare with ya all!
Ro
Hey Ro! Yes crates are a possible way to go but I was looking at the costs of them yesterday and proper wooden crates cost the earth, plywood versions are more affordable but still it cost about £200 for the number needed plus I want people to stand on them. You haven't in your travels as nurse/regent techie/republican come across any have you?
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention Grimley as that's the one that's being thought of....
How's life up there at the mo, is it wet, or just mildly damp? I really must pop in next time up seeing my clan....
Neil
mildy moist ! Apparently half of Scotland got hit by a Tornado, seems it missed us, tho we have our own mini climate due to us being a bit "remote" and surrounded by mountains!
ReplyDeleteOn the crate front... had a bit of a think, Sam reckons to make them durable you are looking at 3/4 " ply. I have a few questions tho...
Knowing you as I do, I am assuming you want uniformity, however, what about period stuff like large wicker baskets as well as crates? As for buying them, there are lots of companies that make crates, but do you have storage for them afterwards and will they flat pack? Did a little search and there are lots of companies that make them and make them flat pack, however its expensive. How about some "sponsorship" from some removals firms, they have shipping /storage crates that people loan when they move - yes you may have to be ingenious with skinning them so they look part of it, but may be worth a shot. Also scanned Ebay, lots of things like Egg crates going cheap, as well as packing crates. The luxury of M&M is that its supposed to look like a film set so anything goes, you can get away with having everything seen!
On the other hand, I spot a cat and pidgeons... why not move the cyc forward 6 feet to give you 6 feet by *wishes she could remember the width of the regent stage* storage area behind the cyc without losing crossover space.
6 feet isnt alot to lose stage wise and forces a reluctant cast onto the thrust.
Just throwing a few in the pot :)
Will keep pondering as it takes my mind off awkward customers - on that note feel free to pop in anytime!
Ro
x
Thanks Ro, will look into all that!
ReplyDeleteI'm having the cyc about 4/5 away from the back wall anyway, as I want a physical set with doors in it.
You've given me plenty to be gettin' on with - thankyou!
Neil