Another Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Sunday rehearsals have, for this production, become something of a many-headed beast. Some of us were out in the kitchen, making a coffee, some were sat in the foyer discussing - believe it or not - next year's production, some were running their lines in another part of the hall and some, like the ladies and one gentleman in the video below, were working incredibly hard on a dance sequence...under the expert eye of Lynne, our A.D. for The Shrew and our dance and movement person!

Working out the basics for a sequence such as this takes time and effort, and will probably change many times before it appears on stage, with music, but this gives you an idea what goes on prior to you seeing the whole thing, resplendent with costumes, music and atmosphere.

In the video you can see Ben, Shirley, Ellie, Clare, Freya and Lynne doing the counting.

Once we've done what we can in the hall, we then transfer to the castle. During the afternoon, it's not feasible to use the castle - too many visitors - but come the early evening, we now go there and start putting everything in place. Thus far we've been blessed with excellent weather...but there are coats and wellies, hats and scarves all tucked away in the boots of various cars; nothing if not prepared!

Here's a first glimpse of some of the rest of the cast up at the castle, 

re-acquainting themselves with the space, each other and the whole experience of Shakespeare in the open-air.

As merrier band of Thesps as you're ever likely to meet...in the most stunning amphitheatre pretty much anywhere.

Here are (left to right) Gil Garland, who's playing Hortensio; Ernie Wingeatt, as Grumio
and Nick Crosley is Baptista Minola

Considering it's been a while since we were at the castle, everybody seemed to get back into the swing of it very quickly...

Nick again, with James, who is playing Lucentio (or is it Cambio?) and Ben as Tranio...or is it Lucentio? Or neither?

Not to say that The Shrew is a complete hotpotch of disguises, mistaken identity, love-lorn maids, love-lorn lords or complete idiots...but it is.

Left to right again: Sally is playing Bianca; Clare is Bianca's maid; Jilly is Kate and Shaunagh is The Widow.

Finally, a shot or two of the cast, for no other reason than they look good!

 Waiting for the grass to be cut though.

All the suitors in a row...although Hortensio's looking a bit bored by it all!