Pre-casting? Me? I'd never do that....

Week 34 - Panto week

I never pre-cast. No seriously. Never. Pointless exercise. BUT I have this time. Woah, woah woah...before you all go off on one, writing to your local paper, slashing my tyres etc the two parts already cast are Barry and Phil (pictured above) who are technical volunteers at the Regent, and their role on stage will be to move the set, with cast members, live, and in costume. The live scene changes are done completely by the cast, but I just want two people completely dedicated to the job, and who can just to 'do it right'. Hence Barry and Phil, who, despite all the ribbing I give them (and I do..a lot) are two of the nicest and professional guys around. They are both members of a Cinema Club who go round refurbishing old theatres, and know quite a bit about the old equipment.

Lots of things are now happening: Ian Carter's been busy sorting through the score and organising stuff for the auditions. Jon Hall (Animation guru) has organised an evening at Bournemouth Uni (the 11th I think - I'll update you when I have more solid info) to watch the show and for me to go through what I have planned for the show (note to self: must plan stuff for the show). My old friend Sharon Burn is now on board as prompt (a thankless job, but vital). Jen and I are getting together after the panto to go through costume stuff. Eliot (now the Manger of the Regent - well done him) are looking at software that allows the running of several projectors from one machine (be still my geeking heart). Martin Short - technical guru at the Regent - has gone through all the lighting bars with me and I have these now pencilled in. The two Anne's are on board to do props etc. I'm going in early on Saturday to do some tests with the projector. And lastly, lots and lots of people seem to be asking questions and are getting very interested in the show which will hopefully mean a good turnout at the audtions.

Panto's going very well at the moment, by the way. If you haven't got your tickets get them quick. Tomorrow is the last day.

Oh and Jane W (Dance Capatin/ex- bluebell/someone who flashes her breasts at me everynight of the panto), has emailed me something for this blog which I'll put up in the next couple of days. Thank God. Now at least it won't seem so much of a vanity project with others contributing....

Over and out.

**static**

Neil

Audition Pieces now on-line...

Week 32 - 6 months to opening night

Audition pieces are now on-line:

Click here to go to the auditions page

Neil

Big buts...

Week 32 - 1 hundred and summit days to opening night

Ta-dah! First new posting in a couple of weeks. Bet you think I've just been sat around on my arse twiddling my thumbs. No. No. NO (note the use of capital letters for emphasis). Panto projections almost done - so I'm now able to turn my attention back to M&M provided work subsides a bit (recession my arse) - and I reckon I'm about 6 weeks behind at the mo because of all my spare time being taken over by the xmas show and panto. Planning on making it up in Feb though as the rest of this month is f**ked due to it being panto from now till the end of the month.

BUT, and it's a big but (insert your own joke here) other people are now involved and thangs are moovin' on a pace. Jenny Balfe is doing costumes which is just fab. Jane White (ex-Bluebell, dontcha know) is Dance captain. John Gayler is set gaffer and has roped in a load of electrician mates to help. We have a posh mansion and a 1920s car provisionally booked for filming sequences and publicity photos in March thanks to Pete. Ian Carter has recruited the band of top notch players and is sorting the score as we speak. Georgina and I sat down yesterday for a basic chat and we're already on the same page with everything which is a great start. Teasers poster are up at the Regent in time for the panto. Jon Hall has offered the Uni Theatre for a readthrough/video evening for the show and is sorting that. So it's all starting to move...

Next up though is the ticket price - price it too low and you make a loss, price it too high and in the current economic climate you'll get no-one, and thus make a loss. We charged £10 for Happy As A Sandbag and sold out the entire week, and I'm inclined to to put the price up maybe a pound or two but not to the level other groups are £15.50/16 which I personally think is ridiculous high for AmDram (yeah, yeah you can argue the toss with me about quality, professionalism etc but when it comes down to it it's still fifteen quid to see an Amdram show - or the price of 2 cinema tickets)

Anyways the next design job is to get moving light stands/chairs (above) built and tested as they are an intricate part of the show....fingers crossed or I'll have to start again....

Neil

Oh yes it is....

Week 30 - 3 weeks til Panto

Unrelated to M&M, but not if you see what I mean - it's Panto in a couple of weeks, so if you're at a loose end and want to come along then you'd better get yer tickets fast. Besides I've just spent the last week doing digital backgrounds (some are above) so it'll be pretty as well....

Tickets are from the Regent Centre on 01202 499199 (I've just done that from memory so you might want to check that it's correct before ringing some poor granny in Bransgore)...

Neil

Return of the Mack

Week 30? - 206 days til opening night

Ah, two thousand and ten. Twenty-Ten. Return of the Mack.

Hope you all had a good one. I spent most of my precious time off doing Panto backdrops much to the annoyance of my loved ones. (D'hear that Pete. D'hear oh panto director. Do ya?) Still, almost done with them.

I have managed to squeeze in time on M&M - finished the two main posters, which are now artwork ready (which means they'll print ok and can be used on all the publicity materials now - stands, leaflets etc), sent Val a version for the Panto programme. Worked on the script, which appears to be getting more dog earred by the second (above).

Managed to corner Shelley Gould on Tuesday (She was on Stars In Their Eyes, y'know. Yes she was. On TV and everyfink) because she can paint (as well as being a ruddy good singer and actress) and I need a painter to help with the show. Not like painting a hall. No. No. Artistic stuff. Stuff that needs a bit of talent. Luckily she said yes (and she assures me that I haven't pressganged her into it (phew)) so...as well (highly likely) as being in the show, she'll help me paint the set that John Gayler is going to magic me up. So the production side of things is really starting to take shape...

Georgina was talking about seeing another version of M&M in March which I'm up for...

Neil