I've been putting this post off for a couple of days and I'm not completely sure why. The Bus has now come, and gone, I don't know if any of you saw it (I doubt it) but I'd appreciate any feedback or comments you have.
The general consensus was that it needed some serious editing, especially to the first half, and the themes of the play were so tough to sit through that few people could call themselves entertained - although they were move to consider and question the nature of society, religion and persoanl freedoms. In that way the play was an enormous success. It's reviewed at the Birmingham Post, in which mine and Paula's performances are noted as being of a high standard.
Here's a, slightly stolen, production photo as well:
I'll update on other projects next week - right now I'm still emotionally exhausted.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Personal News (22/03/09)
Monday, 9 March 2009
Personal News (08/03/09)
Albeit published on 09 March as I was far too busy going to bed after yesterdays rehearsal for The Bus. Tickets are still available by the way. It is also worth knowing, if you're a bit of a starf**ker, that we are expecting an oscar nominated actor to be attending one of the performances, so for a chance to rub shoulders with the stars do come along.
As well as 3 evening rehearsals in the week, yesterday we had 2 run throughs. It's an exhausting play for me - I run around the stage like a looney for most of it - so by the time we had finished I was seriously ready for bed. In between the runs we had a lunch break where all the other members of the cast went off to the pub/bit of shopping however I spent the hour experimenting and practicing with make-up effects for the 3rd Act (although it's actually the second half of the 4th act). I have included a picture of my made up face after the jump - however it is a minor spoiler so no peeking if you want the end to be a surprise.
I have also received the script for Deep Self. This is the new film by Peter Pallister, who directed Could be Brothers the World War 2 short I was in before Christmas. Deep Self concerns a medical trial on the effects of flotation tanks on the mind, it's set in the hospital facility and also follows a trip sequence. I play the guy undertaking the trial, which should be a fun role. However I am dreading some of the filming - there seems to be a scene that involves nudity and swimming in a lake. Now I have no problems with nudity or swimming, however we're shooting during April and I don't want little Ben to be very little Ben! Anyone got any ideas?
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Personal News (01/03/09)
The Bus creeps ever closer, to the point when I'm getting petrified about it now. Over the week we've had three run throughs and none of them have really gone (for me) as well as I would have liked. I have been looking at some of my lines more though and I think I understand them more than I have done up to hear, and I'm trying new things with the way I'm performing which is (hopefully) good.
Last night I performed in The Jealous Bride, which was a Murder Mystery evening performed to a Hen Night. I played Captain Horatio Weckter, and my job essentially was o guide the players through the game. It was a really fun evening both for me, and for the girls who were there. I'm hoping to do some more, so if you want to book one for any sort of corporate event then please contact Murder Mystery Meals.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Personal News (21/02/08)
It suddenly occurred to me at todays rehearsal that The Bus opens in 3 weeks time.
ONLY 3 WEEKS TIME!
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Personal News (08/02/09)
Another week of no significant updates, just Bus rehearsals and cancelled Bus rehearsals (snow, eh? Who needs it?).
I've been asked by the publicity team to fill out a form that thay'll use to push the play. On it I'm asked for my favourite line. This is turning out to be quite tough. Do I go for "You c**t! Screaming at the top of your voice.", "You almost s**t yourself with fear." or may be my opening "You've said it." or closing "Why it's my little Emmy, my Emmy."
The first 2 may be a little hard to use in family newspapers, and maybe the third is just a little bland. And as for the last one, it seems a little desperate to use that, especially during the awards season.
I've also been asked to audition for a minor role in a film being shot locally. Should get the script in the week, and I'll let you know next week what it's like and how the audition went (it's on Saturday morning).
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Personal News (01/02/09)
Crikey it's February already - where did the month go?
The week started with arehearsal for The Bus, and curiously ended that way as well (I've just got home). On Monday we had our second, more serious read through, during which we discussed each scene and how it shaped the whole - looking at how the action unfolds in particular ways and why it does that.
On Friday and today we blocked the First Act, on the off chance you aren't aware blocking involves working out where we're going to stand on the set. Although in my case it mainly concerns how I'm going to abuse the other members of the cast.
I don't want to spoil the staging in any way but we're performing in the main house at the Birmingham Crescent and we will use every inch of the stage to perform in, which is a massive space. Showing our emotional connections is going to b a real toughie, but it's going to be worth it. As I may have said if you're anywhere near Birmingham in the middle of March you must come along to see it.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I was filming a corporate video for Big Umbrella Media, concerning Leadership and Culture. In retrospect I wish I had been more prepared - I never seem to learn how much more difficult it is working with a camera - but I think I left a reasonably good impression. I also picked up a few good contacts so hopefully something will come of that in the near future.
Apparently I can bulls**t pretty well - a number of the scenes were part improvised - so I may start to look into roleplay work much more as a result.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Personal News (25/01/09)
Albeit 24 hours late - another night involving fizzy pop yesterday.
The Bus
Rehearsals are now underway for the English Language premier for Lukas Barfuss' The Bus (or the Makings of a Saint). The play will debut at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham on Saturday 14 March, and tickets can be bought here. This is certainly a play worth seeing; first produced in 2005, winning the Jury and audience prizes at the Moiheimer Theatertage, it looks at the issue of religion in the post atheistic society.
During rehearsals we have focused on our understanding of the characters and the journeys they make during the play. It's hard work, most of the characters hide behind a veil of lies and deceit disguising their true emotions except in periods of high stress or drunkeness. I'm looking forward to putting what we have discussed into practise.
Lifelong Yearning
Went through the second half last night, more cuts but not as many as in the first rehearsal. It's tough cutting bits, especially when the lines are as funny as they are in Lifelong Yearning, but it's important that the jokes seve the plot rather than the other way round. Rehearsals for Lifelong will probably be put on hold now until after Easter, to give us time to learn lines (not to mention the other projects many of us are working on).
Leadership & Culture
Auditioned (and got a part) for a corporate job on Thursday with Big Umbrella Media. It's a leadership video for an UK T&D firm and hopefully it will be the first in a series of films for them. Also Big Umbrella have done a number of high profile adverts so if they like me there's always the opportunity of more work from them. Woohoo.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Personal News (11/01/2009)
Not much of an update here. We have a final cast member for Lifelong Yearning. Next rehearsal will probably be in couple of weeks time.
I also have the rehearsal schedule for The Bus (by Lukas Barfus). Yes, in case you were wondering this is the UK premier of Barfus' award winning play.
I was also asked to audition for a short film about Wrestlers (as a manager). Unfortunately the ilming dates are a bit difficult for me to manage so I have had to decline that one but it sounds like a really exciting project, and timely too.
