That Moment When...

...it feels as if you're wading through treacle (other sticky, viscous confections are available); you can see where you want to get to, but oh my word! It is just SO damn difficult!
Or else it's a little like one of those really, really, really slow-motion films...you can see all the component parts slowly expanding, rushing away from you in all directions; you know where they all go, what their function is and how you can put it back together yet if you don't STOP...and just take a second or two to think, you're gonna lose your place the whole will drop to the floor in a muddle. 
That's about where I'm at now. I have whole handful's of Ariadne-type threads clutched between my fingers - the world's most complex cat's-cradle is what it feels like - and I have to unravel them and lay them in cohesive, comprehensible lines. And I'm wondering if I have the energy or creative ability to do what is required. 
Then I open an email and see some of these pictures...and I know it's all possible!

All those lovely people that pitch up at each and every rehearsal, who hang about a bit and natter, who watch and get the gist of what's going on...who, above all else, trust that I will get it right and that what we're doing will all untangle and lay in wonderfully straight lines that all those other lovely people in the audience can eventually follow.  

It's all very strange and humbling actually. But I think back to what I said in a previous ramble, about an over-active imagination, and really that's all I have to balance all this upon: an idea; a picture of what I think this play can become, based upon what I see around me a couple of times a week at the castle.

And I can see (at least I hope that's what I can see) all these other people are there, who have cottoned-on to the play and also want to see it in its entirety...actually see how the story ends. I know we all  know 'how-it-ends' but how it ends for them, as the characters they have adopted; how they eventually turn out. 
It's very complex and makes my head hurt sometimes...but I rather enjoy the feeling. Even the slightly panicky feeling of watching that slow-motion explosion, but knowing, somewhere, that WE can put it all back together again and look back on it all as a brilliant few months in the summer of 2013, when we told a story and people came and understood.
That's what I'm hoping for, at least.



And speaking of over-active imaginations, our super-snapper Keith, had a problem with his camera (yet still managed to capture these amazing pictures!) so resorted to filming a clip on his i-phone. 
It shows us getting to grips with the battle sequence for the very first time.
Now Keith has already said that this, obviously, isn't up to his usual standard - let's face it, when all is said and done, it is phone, regardless of what else it might be! -  but I think it deserves a viewing, not least because it gives us all the chance to see it in its rawest state. Add smoke, more flags, battle noises as well as the music (sorry, but I can't copy n paste my OAI here, so use your own!) and the lights, or in this instance, the lack of light, and I hope it will convey the panic and terror of battle. That's the idea, anyway,
If you highlight and right-click the link below, you should get the option, somewhere, to go and view the clip. Ah, the wonders of modern telephonic communications!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ch22lt98oa1feks/Lear_Rehearsal_20130618_20-59-26.MOV

AND IN OTHER NEWS...

We have lift-off for all the extra-curricular activities! They'll be happening in town on 8th and 10th August...and they will be SPECTACULAR!! Oh yes.
The full programme for 10th August is yet to be finalised, but Good Queen Bess will be visiting and we shall have music and morris-men and all sorts of Elizabethan shenanigans in Royal Avenue Gardens.
In the Old Market, 8th August will see sonnet readings, Mock Hobby Horse doing their thing, with a few dances thrown in, some games and who knows what else!
I know we have performances on both nights, but it's a chance to really raise the profile of Dartmouth Shakespeare Week and actually turn it into a true celebration of all things Will...and hopefully, in the fullness of time, we will have the chance to invite other theatre groups to perform at DSW and make it something even more special.
If you want get involved with any of the other things that happening, as mentioned, drop me a line or grab me at rehearsals...we'll find something for you to do!!