Throw A Pebble Down The Mountain...

...and it can start an avalanche. We threw the pebble yesterday evening and now it feels - to me at least - as if we're really underway! Yes, we had our first - fanfare please! - production meeting. Slightly truncated in terms of attendees but we've started to assemble the nuts and bolts, find out who's got the spanners, or a half-decent tool-kit, and now we're deciphering the plans. And you thought an Ikea wardrobe was difficult?

Myself, our lovely Lady of the Pins (that's Jenny, the Wardrobe Manager!), Lyndall of the Arty-Crafty Sect and Lynne, She Who Must Dance, were all present and correct and, quite frankly, brimming over with ideas. Now all I have to do is decide which ones to incorporate (I'd love to do 'em all, but it would just look as if I've thrown everything and the kitchen sink at it!) and how to do the incorporation...is there such a word? Anyway, we got a lot of stuff decided and Lyndall once again found that she couldn't say 'no' and volunteered herself (I honestly didn't pressurise her at all...honest) to make the thirteen-odd flags, the four crowns and the full-face helmet for Edgar. Star is too weak a word! Which reminds me: note to self...send out a cast list!

Jenny presented a template for the hoods we shall need, that can be adapted for royal headgear and we settled upon (at least I think we settled upon) a colour template for the costumes/flags and general assembly.
Lynne suggested a couple of brilliant adaptations for the storm sequence and the Bedlam Beggars, which I am going to play around with and present to Caiomhe, our set designer, and say 'That's what we want!' And hope it doesn't cost too much. Must remember to run those ideas by the tech gang, just to make sure it's feasible; but I'm sure they'd find a way, regardless.

Had a bit of a gloat as I presented the very excellent posters that Nigel has sent and also displayed the map on a six foot by 2.5 foot vinyl hanging thing (technical term). It looks spectacular and will, after a little remedial work to stop the lights glaring off of it, completely fill the role for which it is intended. Good job Nigel!

No point in showing the posters and handouts, you've seen those several times already, but, just for the hell of it, they do look brilliant!

Everybody seems to be winding after a long winter...although, looking out the window, I don't think winter's got the message yet...and is looking forward to a summer that will be one of the best we've had for a while. Eternal optimist, me! School's not long long to run now, Easter break looms and then the run-up, or wind-down, to the summer holidays. Warm weather - huzzah! - and the long-dreaded trip to the lock-up to sort out props and scenery and costumes and and and...it seems never-ending. Finalise the booking of the venue, send all the H&S and Risk Assessment stuff off, then start putting the programme together. Among other things. But hey, I certainly wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it...and it keeps me off the streets.
Only a few weeks to go until we're up at the castle and starting to block the play. Looking forward to meeting all the potential new members who have said that they would like to be involved, as well as meeting up with all my old friends who are returning this year.
And speaking of old friends:
KATS' production of Return to the Forbidden Planet - we went to see it last Saturday - was FAB - UUUU - LOUS (dahling!). Seriously great night out; what a storming show. Performances, music, set, costumes, all of 'em were incredible. Knowing what it takes to put on something like DSW makes me wonder, when I see a show like this, how they all find the energy to perform after getting it all together. Truly superb production. (Our Malcolm directed it you know!)
They're doing 'Blithe Spirit' in Summer, so that'll be worth a look, I know. Unfortunately, I think I've got something booked...can't think what though!