Blog
COPACABANA – FIRST WEEK OF REHEARSALS
June 18th, 2010
First day of rehearsals are always rather nerve-wracking. Walking in to meet the rest of your cast. These are the people you will be spending the next few months with (and, of course at The Watermill, live with). They all appear a lovely bunch and as the first week goes on my initial thoughts are confirmed.
There really isn’t much time to breathe when it comes to rehearsing for an actor/musician show. Within the first hour we have meeted and greeted, had a tour of the theatre and are sat down playing the opening number. Yes, it really is that quick! It’s amazing how quickly you get to know each other. The first week has been mainly sitting around our music stands learning the music and singing through the numbers. It’s unlike any other process – normally you don’t get to hear the band until your tech week, but here we have the joy of a band from the word go.
After each day I am absolutely ready for my bed. Although I find myself lying there thinking about how much there is to learn. It’s very hard to switch your brain off.
On Wednesday we put the music stands aside for the afternoon and Craig, our director, decides he is going to put our tapping skills to the test. This consists of us all standing in a circle and individually copying his steps. Sounds easy right?! Ha!!! I think we are all ready to get back behind our music stands.
Thursday is another day of music learning. The sun is beaming outside, so every tea break is a dash for the door to catch a few rays and top up the tan (and who said actors were vain?!) Luckily I get the afternoon off which means I get to lay in the sun – whilst learning my lines of course!
Friday we start to put the show on its feet. From the beginning of the show we begin our blocking. This is always an exciting day as this is the day we can start discovering our characters. So… overall a great week. Lots of hard work, but looking forward to moving onwards into week two.
Laura Pitt-Pulford (Lola La Mar)
