The spontaneous electric broom routine – The Miser in rehearsal

26 March 2013

We’ve been incredibly fortunate on The Miser to have a five week rehearsal period. Part of the idea behind the production was to provide extra time for the company to learn new skills and we’ve made full use of this in the first three weeks. As well as the more conventional training in movement, voice and dialect we’ve also been learning how to be a clown…

As you can imagine, this clowning around has filled the room with laughter, from the simplicity of talking while wearing a mask (it’s amazing how a mere nose and cheek change can so radically alter someone’s personality), to a spontaneous electric broom routine, a sketch based on the performance of Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and the classic ironing board to the face gag.

This mad-cap comedy has woven its way into the cast’s performances and made a talented bunch even funnier. It has also led us to a devising a few interludes, which will entertain the audience between the Acts. And we still have a whole two weeks to hone the show.

Ant Stones, Assistant Director on The Miser.

PS: As I write this the company are being ‘Lizzed’. I have never known a movement instructor to work a cast so hard. They’re rolling about the floor like it’s on fire, which is also absolutely hilarious (for me).