First of all, the visual impact of seeing the show up and on its feet makes for a radically different experience to that of hearing the script read aloud. Well, of course, you might say - but it is especially true of this particular piece. Much of the script is given over to lengthy and specific stage directions - which only really come to life in performance.
Secondly, we watched the run-through lit only by the worker lights in the building and with the minimum of set, props etc. Also, many of the fight scenes were simply being marked through, such is the level of physical demand asked of the actors in these sequences.
Mark D'Aughton winches a coffin to the ground during rehearsal.
Sound designer Cormac O'Connor has put together a very atmospheric soundtrack that sounds very much at home in the nightclub setting of the Savoy. He's currently focusing his attentions on the video design for the show which involves CCTV and live video feeds on huge screens.
Basically, we really only experienced the shell of the performance, but having said that the emotional impact of the experience was very strong (some of us might have shed a tear or two, no naming names though!). Everyone from the actors to the community cast to director, stage manager, designer and the whole production crew are working tirelessly to put this show together.
A shot from the Mezz in the Savoy of the two stages in the downstairs space.
We're very excited to see the production go to the next level - opening night is only two weeks away after all!
titillating.....
ReplyDeletecant wait to see this
(told you someone was reading!)
2 readers ... it's picking up speed steadily.
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