Halfway through the run! Feels a bit strange typing that... But the important thing is that everything has long since bedded in and we all know what we're doing, and it feels like the show is improving with each
performance. Last night was great - because of what we're doing with the first scene (and you'll have to come see the show to see what I mean), we immediately connect with the audience, and the
vibes from them last night felt overwhelmingly positive and engaged. I think that gave the whole performance a shot in the arm. Special mentions must go to the 21st cast member, Lola, who is a
surefire audience hit and has conducted herself with professionalism thoughtout; and my poor bed, which is still just about in one piece and no doubt enjoying its moment of on-stage glory.
Eavesdropping on the Q&A was fun, and interesting to hear the debate kicking off - the 'Terrorism' presented by our show may not fit the currently-accepted dictionary definition, but that's what
makes it so interesting. Also interesting to hear the directors of the next shows in the 'Protest' season, I think I'll have to go along to those shows to compare and contrast!
Right, I've treated myself to a day off work today, so enjoying a few hours of peace and quiet before I pack my suitcases and head to the airport. Knowing me, I'll arrive with just twenty minutes to
go - hope there aren't any problems, I have an important flight to catch, you know...
The dress rehearsal is about to start ...
We've survived the technical rehearsal! Always good to get past that
hurdle. Inevitably, there are still a few kinks to iron out - Sue Brodie and
Ruth Sullivan are currently working wonders in the dressing room as she
creates some airplane seats for the final scene, and our intrepid lighting
crew are working on an ominous shadow coming from the 'Relaxation Room' for
the Office scene. Plus there's a small matter of assembling a double-bed in
the theatre. Where did the bed come from? Well, let's just say that yours
truly is sleeping in his spare room this week!
But it's all going to be worth it - we did a full run of the airport scene
last night with lights and sound, and it felt totally different being in the
space, and a whole step change up from rehearsals.
Starting to get that familiar feeling now, of being simultaneously nervous
about the dress rehearsal yet eager to start performing in front of an
audience. I expect there'll be some see-sawing between the two over the next
few hours..!
Episode 2 ...
So we're another week in, and another week closer to production week, which seems to be quietly sneaking up on us with alarming speed!
This week, the various scene teams got split up again, and sent back to our respective corners to work on our own sections for the last
time. After this, we're One Show from now until the final night. Exciting times!
Rehearsal on Thursday night included some additional challenges to keep us on our toes, most notably us actors having to do a line
run in a busy pub, while the room we had booked got temporarily converted into a recording studio. OK, "recording studio" might be an
excessively grand description for Emma Sullivan, the air-hostess-with-the-mostest, speaking lines into a tape recorder, which will
ultimately be used to help create an airport vibe for one of our scenes. All will become clear when you, the reader, come to see
the show. But do please keep your baggage with you at all times and take note of the emergency exits.
Meanwhile, myself and my fellow Passengers did our best to get through a line run downstairs in the Hoop and Grapes. I
normally pride myself on my focus as an actor but I've learned it all goes out the window when there are some funky tunes playing on the
pub sound system. What our fellow pub-goers made of the philosophical debate, angry shouts and shrieks of laughter coming from our booth,
I can only guess, but then, on a Thursday night in London, I imagine anything goes!
Right, I'm off to take another look at the script and see if I get any fresh ideas. Looking forward to seeing how all the other scenes
have advanced when we get back together tomorrow night. I'm not saying there's competition between the different scene teams.... but
I need to make sure I don't let Team Passenger down!
Episode 1 ...
First, a quick introduction - my name is James Killeen, and I play the role of 'Passenger' in the Tower's upcoming production of
Terrorism. Doesn't give much away does it, 'Passenger'? Especially when you consider that I share my scenes with
'Passenger 1' and 'Passenger 2'. It seems the Presnyakov Brothers weren't big on giving their characters names, so in some cases,
we've done it for them. Hence the presence of 'Barry' in our production - there may not be many genuine 'Barry's in Russia, but we like it!
So how are rehearsals going so far? Well, it's been a unique experience working on this play. The piece consists of six separate scenes. At first, they are seemingly unconnected - an airport in chaos, two lovers looking for excitement, a dysfunctional office with a less than successful approach to staff counselling. Only by the end of the play do the delicate strands connecting these characters become apparent. It's a fascinating piece, by turns comic, intriguing and intense - I'm still finding new layers of meaning each time I revisit the script.
But it does mean that up until this week, the various scenes could all be rehearsed independently. Last Monday was the first time we were all united under one roof as a full cast and ran the play, all of us seeing the other scenes for the first time.
And what a joy that was. We have a pair of menacing grannies who manage to turn your blood cold while still being hilarious. Our panicked office workers alternate between babbling and bitching to great comic effect, and as for the lovers' scene... Once we have a proper bed for them, I think this scene will be a real highlight, but for now, we've discovered that making love in an office chair (on castors) is as comical as it is unstable!
On Tuesday night, a visiting fight instructor taught 'Barry' and his mates how to tussle convincingly, with their final efforts garnering a spontaneous, and well-deserved, round of applause from the rest of us. So things are definitely starting to come together!
And as for 'Passenger'? Well, right now, he's writing this en route to Stansted Airport. Might as well do a little character research while I'm there...!
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