Tonight, I am going to do something that I haven't done for ten years. I am going to have a singing lesson.
This is as much as anything else a sort of "getting to know you" lesson, where I shall meet up with the singing teacher, and we will work out whether we reckon we can work with each other. After all, we luvvies are such demanding types. But it does represent a step back towards doing things that really have not been practical since the children came along!
Not only is there a singing lesson, however, but it will be followed by two dancing lessons at The Dance Studio in Dunfermline. The first class is Tap, and that is followed by Jazz. I've also not been to dance classes for ten years... That too will be an interesting couple of hours!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
This blog
It's worth noting that the timestamps on this blog are at GMT-8. I think that this post and subsequent ones should have the correct time...
(edit) Oh, of course, it's now chosen to fix them all, now that I've made a post. Forget it, the times are correct!
(edit) Oh, of course, it's now chosen to fix them all, now that I've made a post. Forget it, the times are correct!
Sunday - coming home
Got up around 8am, and went down to breakfast. Sat with Niamh and a few others, having gotten very wet in the short distance from the dormitory to the cafeteria. Then I went back to my room and somewhat frantically packed.
With that done, I walked down to the office to return my score and lib. Then back to my room, where I got the large suitcase and wheeled it down to the car. What a shame that I didn’t have my car keys with me. So I left the case in the pounding rain, and went back to my room. There I picked up my other case and the keys, and got everything into the car.
By this time I was totally soaking. I went back to the room and collected the final bag and, after a quick check that I hadn’t left anything behind, went back to the car. A few (damp) goodbye hugs on the way, and I was in the car. I towel-dried my hair and my feet, set the heater on “high” and started on my way.
The portion of the journey from Scarborough to Whitby took almost an hour. The clouds were low, and I was quite often driving through them. After that, however, things opened up a little and the journey home was uneventful and congestion-free. I had a slight detour to collect some things from my office, but even so I was home around 3pm.
And that was that. Summer school over for another year. I managed to chuck a few photos onto Flickr and Facebook (http://www.flickr.com/photos/atp/sets/72157606787776630/), but had to crash to an early bed.
I wonder if I’ll manage next year? La Cage aux Folles is not a show that I would expect to get many chances to do; it would be great fun. But DisneyWorld is going to be expensive. Mmmm…
A few stats on the journey home:
Distance 250 miles Average speed 45mph Time 5hr 37min Ave. Fuel consumption 55.8mpg
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday - Performance Day
So, yesterday was dress rehearsal day. Today is performance day. It's the same deal as yesterday, running classes in the order A, B, C before dinner, then C, B, A after dinner.
Before that, we had a short rehearsal in the morning. There were lots of tired faces in the class, but we went over a few areas that didn't quite work yesterday. That took us until around 11am. We then gave some presents from the class to the production team, and broke for lunch.
A rush to get our makeup done and a photocall, and then it was time to go to the theatre. Class A was first, with Man of La Mancha. No crying this time - just - but another excellent performance. Class B came next, with Kiss Me Kate and then it was our turn.
I was surprised at the difference in my attitude this time. Yesterday I was very nervous about things like prop and costume placement, this time not nearly so bad. I was more able to concentrate on what I was meant to be doing onstage. This worked in contrast to my fatigue, and resulted in a performance that I felt was very similar to yesterday's!
When we came out for the break it was lovely to chat with many previous students who had come to Scarborough specially to see the performances. Then it was straight back into the thick of things. A run of Class C, this time with Julian, my opposite number, playing Steven and I was playing Rico. No "boo" this time... shame :-)
After that, Class B and then Class A. I was on for an instant at the end of Class A, as an agent of the Spanish Inquisition. My job was to pick a spot and stare menacingly at it for about two minutes. For the first time, my spot was occupied by an audience member. I feel sorry for her; she probably didn't know that I couldn't see her!
Then a shower and a first-class party and singalong. It's now 0245 as I get this ready to upload. I've got a five hour drive tomorrow.
In summary, another great Summer School week. I feel very pleased with what the school let me achieve this week. I had a wonderful time, and made some lovely new friends.
To anybody involved in amateur musical performance, I cannot recommend this week too highly. The compressed nature of what is done lets you manage more than you would have thought possible in a week. The multiple costume changes force you to learn how to organise and discipline yourself. The friendships to be made are priceless.
2009 information can be found (soon) at http://www.ross-online.org.uk. I am so wanting to be there!
Before that, we had a short rehearsal in the morning. There were lots of tired faces in the class, but we went over a few areas that didn't quite work yesterday. That took us until around 11am. We then gave some presents from the class to the production team, and broke for lunch.
A rush to get our makeup done and a photocall, and then it was time to go to the theatre. Class A was first, with Man of La Mancha. No crying this time - just - but another excellent performance. Class B came next, with Kiss Me Kate and then it was our turn.
I was surprised at the difference in my attitude this time. Yesterday I was very nervous about things like prop and costume placement, this time not nearly so bad. I was more able to concentrate on what I was meant to be doing onstage. This worked in contrast to my fatigue, and resulted in a performance that I felt was very similar to yesterday's!
When we came out for the break it was lovely to chat with many previous students who had come to Scarborough specially to see the performances. Then it was straight back into the thick of things. A run of Class C, this time with Julian, my opposite number, playing Steven and I was playing Rico. No "boo" this time... shame :-)
After that, Class B and then Class A. I was on for an instant at the end of Class A, as an agent of the Spanish Inquisition. My job was to pick a spot and stare menacingly at it for about two minutes. For the first time, my spot was occupied by an audience member. I feel sorry for her; she probably didn't know that I couldn't see her!
Then a shower and a first-class party and singalong. It's now 0245 as I get this ready to upload. I've got a five hour drive tomorrow.
In summary, another great Summer School week. I feel very pleased with what the school let me achieve this week. I had a wonderful time, and made some lovely new friends.
To anybody involved in amateur musical performance, I cannot recommend this week too highly. The compressed nature of what is done lets you manage more than you would have thought possible in a week. The multiple costume changes force you to learn how to organise and discipline yourself. The friendships to be made are priceless.
2009 information can be found (soon) at http://www.ross-online.org.uk. I am so wanting to be there!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday is dress rehearsal day
Friday is dress rehearsal day.
We started in our own rehearsal room with a run-through without costumes. That went okay, with a couple of notes. Then it was tea break, and we had another run. This time we had costumes. I counted them; when I am Steven/Tony I have five costumes; when I am Rico I have four. All in a forty-five minute extract. Well, if the first duty of an actor is to come on in the right place, at the right time, in the right costume, this certainly helps encourage us to learn how to do that!
We got through both runs, and had lunch. Then it was time for lunch. After that it was dress rehearsal in the threatre. My first venture on stage was as a representative of the Inquisition for Class A. I sorted out where I was meant to be with the director, and luckily I was able to sit at the back of the theatre and take lots of photos before I was needed at the very end of "The Man From La Mancha". I admit that my biggest concern was that there would be makeup running down my face after I blubbed during "The Impossible Dream". It was beautifully sung and had a huge effect on me.
After that I watched Class B perform an extract from the new version of "Kiss Me Kate" before it was time for Class C.
I'd love to say that I was perfect in my role as Steven/Tony. I wasn't. I went straight to dialogue at one point, missing a short sung section. And the dancing probably wasn't quite 100%. But I did get a wolf-whistle when I stripped down to my boxers, so it's not all bad! Overall, the extract went very well. Even one chap who wasn't convinced he'd be able to get his head around the dancing danced and did just fine!
Then dinner, then we ran the whole lot in the opposite order. My class, with me being the baddie this time (I got booed as I walked off), then Kiss Me Kate, and finally Man From La Mancha.
Then a shower and a trip to the bar. You can bet that the first pint went down a treat!
We started in our own rehearsal room with a run-through without costumes. That went okay, with a couple of notes. Then it was tea break, and we had another run. This time we had costumes. I counted them; when I am Steven/Tony I have five costumes; when I am Rico I have four. All in a forty-five minute extract. Well, if the first duty of an actor is to come on in the right place, at the right time, in the right costume, this certainly helps encourage us to learn how to do that!
We got through both runs, and had lunch. Then it was time for lunch. After that it was dress rehearsal in the threatre. My first venture on stage was as a representative of the Inquisition for Class A. I sorted out where I was meant to be with the director, and luckily I was able to sit at the back of the theatre and take lots of photos before I was needed at the very end of "The Man From La Mancha". I admit that my biggest concern was that there would be makeup running down my face after I blubbed during "The Impossible Dream". It was beautifully sung and had a huge effect on me.
After that I watched Class B perform an extract from the new version of "Kiss Me Kate" before it was time for Class C.
I'd love to say that I was perfect in my role as Steven/Tony. I wasn't. I went straight to dialogue at one point, missing a short sung section. And the dancing probably wasn't quite 100%. But I did get a wolf-whistle when I stripped down to my boxers, so it's not all bad! Overall, the extract went very well. Even one chap who wasn't convinced he'd be able to get his head around the dancing danced and did just fine!
Then dinner, then we ran the whole lot in the opposite order. My class, with me being the baddie this time (I got booed as I walked off), then Kiss Me Kate, and finally Man From La Mancha.
Then a shower and a trip to the bar. You can bet that the first pint went down a treat!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday's over
Oh my gosh! That's Thursday over! Tomorrow is dress rehearsal day, then Saturday is the "public" performance of the extracts. Ulp!
It might be worth a word of explanation here. On Friday we present the work we have been doing to the rest of the school. Technically it's a dress rehearsal. Indeed, it's normal for the extract to be interrupted by the director fixing positioning, etc. But to many of the students, this is the performance that matters - it's the performance that's for the people they have been lunching with and sharing the bar with for the past week.
Anyway, that's another day. Today we started in the theatre. Each class gets one half day in the theatre before dress rehearsal. Ours was quite a good time to be there, because we had managed one run and were ready for another. So we did a run where I played Steven/Tony.
I thought this went okay. This was mainly because we got to the end of the extract without me having to resort to the book, I think that everyone else felt it was awful, and our director had to work hard with some positive words to raise everyone's spirits.
After tea break, we did another run where Julian played Steven/Tony and I was Rico. As far as I was concerned, this was a shambles. I failed to strike a pieve of furniture, and didn't show up at a point where I was meant to show a new tablecloth to the boss. I was devastated; everyone else seemed to think that it had gone much better than the previous run!
Then it was lunchtime, and a free afternoon. At lunch the classes for next year (2009) were announced. They are La Cage Aux Folles, A Funny Thing Happened... and Die Fledermaus. I would love to try La Cage, but I am just not convinced I can make it work with domestic life. Hmmm.....
During the afternoon Jo, our assistant director, helped us out a lot with dancing. I spent most of the afternoon dancing then went back to my room for a shower before dinner.
Another thing I did was try to write down my costume plot. As explained previously, there is no changing room, and there is an open curtain at the back of the stage. That means you cannot go from one side of the stage to the other - you must have your costume set at the correct side of the stage. So I spent about an hour writing down my notes of where I exit for each scene (for each character) and which costume I need to have pre-set.
While at dinner, three of us were talking and decided we wanted some more dance time. There was one chap who had only ever done one show before the school, and was feeling slightly overwhelmed. Then there was a girl who is a great dancer, and felt that any error was unforgivable. Somewhere in the middle was me, who realised that in "Dancin' Fool", he would have nobody to copy as he was right in front of the entire chorus...
We spent about two hours in the evening with my iPod and an active speaker, my notes and our collective memory, but by the end of it we had a pretty solid grasp of both Dancin' Fool and the opening. I feel that I might be able to do them both without humiliating myself. Which is a great step forward. For me, that represents the best of what summer school is about - the students getting together to try to do things just right!
I was determined to have an early bed, but here I am after 11pm writing my blog...
It might be worth a word of explanation here. On Friday we present the work we have been doing to the rest of the school. Technically it's a dress rehearsal. Indeed, it's normal for the extract to be interrupted by the director fixing positioning, etc. But to many of the students, this is the performance that matters - it's the performance that's for the people they have been lunching with and sharing the bar with for the past week.
Anyway, that's another day. Today we started in the theatre. Each class gets one half day in the theatre before dress rehearsal. Ours was quite a good time to be there, because we had managed one run and were ready for another. So we did a run where I played Steven/Tony.
I thought this went okay. This was mainly because we got to the end of the extract without me having to resort to the book, I think that everyone else felt it was awful, and our director had to work hard with some positive words to raise everyone's spirits.
After tea break, we did another run where Julian played Steven/Tony and I was Rico. As far as I was concerned, this was a shambles. I failed to strike a pieve of furniture, and didn't show up at a point where I was meant to show a new tablecloth to the boss. I was devastated; everyone else seemed to think that it had gone much better than the previous run!
Then it was lunchtime, and a free afternoon. At lunch the classes for next year (2009) were announced. They are La Cage Aux Folles, A Funny Thing Happened... and Die Fledermaus. I would love to try La Cage, but I am just not convinced I can make it work with domestic life. Hmmm.....
During the afternoon Jo, our assistant director, helped us out a lot with dancing. I spent most of the afternoon dancing then went back to my room for a shower before dinner.
Another thing I did was try to write down my costume plot. As explained previously, there is no changing room, and there is an open curtain at the back of the stage. That means you cannot go from one side of the stage to the other - you must have your costume set at the correct side of the stage. So I spent about an hour writing down my notes of where I exit for each scene (for each character) and which costume I need to have pre-set.
While at dinner, three of us were talking and decided we wanted some more dance time. There was one chap who had only ever done one show before the school, and was feeling slightly overwhelmed. Then there was a girl who is a great dancer, and felt that any error was unforgivable. Somewhere in the middle was me, who realised that in "Dancin' Fool", he would have nobody to copy as he was right in front of the entire chorus...
We spent about two hours in the evening with my iPod and an active speaker, my notes and our collective memory, but by the end of it we had a pretty solid grasp of both Dancin' Fool and the opening. I feel that I might be able to do them both without humiliating myself. Which is a great step forward. For me, that represents the best of what summer school is about - the students getting together to try to do things just right!
I was determined to have an early bed, but here I am after 11pm writing my blog...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Wednesday Wall
A busy day. After breakfast, we went over some of the work from yesterday. Then the boys had a slightly more relaxed time while the girls set two numbers - the rehearsal scene (a tap number) and Ay Caramba (an all-out Latin number). Then after lunch we set all the Rico scenes, and finally the finale. That meant that after the afternoon teabreak we were able to do a "run" of the whole show.
Around lunchtime, we had the costumes delivered to the school, and I was one of the small army of helpers who ferried the hampers in from the van to the rehearsal rooms.
Before dinner I went for a drive to try to find a black shirt. I had one set out, but somehow it just didn't get packed. I managed to find the only large, 24-hour Tesco in the world that doesn't sell clothes! I ended up just getting back to the University in time for dinner.
After that, we went to the rehearsal room to collect our costumes. I have ended up with five costumes, one of which I have to share with the other Steven/Tony. They are:
white suit, for the opening number
blue suit, used for Rico in Havana and for the time when Steven is going off to rescue Lola
evening suit, used for Rico's walk across the stage
black sequinned outfit, used for Dancin' Fool
dressing gown, for the opening
In addition, I also have a robe, crucifix and hat for the moment that I am onstage for Man of La Mancha.
Wednesday is traditionally the day of the "Wednesday Wobbles" or the "Wednesday Wall". People tend to reach their capacity, and start doubting their ability to do what is required. I can identify with this - there are lots of pieces of dialogue that I stumbled over, and I am nervous about some parts of the dances. There are a few bits of Dancin' Fool that I have trouble with, and the opening is far worse...
Tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be a day for consolidation.
Around lunchtime, we had the costumes delivered to the school, and I was one of the small army of helpers who ferried the hampers in from the van to the rehearsal rooms.
Before dinner I went for a drive to try to find a black shirt. I had one set out, but somehow it just didn't get packed. I managed to find the only large, 24-hour Tesco in the world that doesn't sell clothes! I ended up just getting back to the University in time for dinner.
After that, we went to the rehearsal room to collect our costumes. I have ended up with five costumes, one of which I have to share with the other Steven/Tony. They are:
white suit, for the opening number
blue suit, used for Rico in Havana and for the time when Steven is going off to rescue Lola
evening suit, used for Rico's walk across the stage
black sequinned outfit, used for Dancin' Fool
dressing gown, for the opening
In addition, I also have a robe, crucifix and hat for the moment that I am onstage for Man of La Mancha.
Wednesday is traditionally the day of the "Wednesday Wobbles" or the "Wednesday Wall". People tend to reach their capacity, and start doubting their ability to do what is required. I can identify with this - there are lots of pieces of dialogue that I stumbled over, and I am nervous about some parts of the dances. There are a few bits of Dancin' Fool that I have trouble with, and the opening is far worse...
Tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be a day for consolidation.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Another day gone? :-(
Another warm-up this morning, which involved lots of passing of beanbags to a partner, and doing grand chains with beanbags rather than hands. Lots of beanbags dropped onto the floor, too!
Then we went into the rehearsal room and did a run over Dancin' Fool. After that, we had a go at setting the Opening. This is the other "big dance" that I shall be in - though only when I am "non-Tony". When I am Tony, I do very little, and everyone dances around me. Such are the privileges of being the principal :-)
After that, we set a couple of the principals' scenes - the dialogue between Steven and Samantha, and then the scene where Sam and his cronies sing of "Havana".
When we were not doing this, Julian (the other Tony/Rico), Aimee (Samantha/Lola) and I went over some lines, or at other times we did some Dancin' Fool practice. By the end of the day I was suitably sweaty, even though the day was cool. Then I did some exercises that I have been given by my physiotherapist and went straight to the bar, sweaty and smelly though I may have been. I chatted with Joe Burgh for a while, then went back to the room for a shower before dinner.
After dinner, it was The Quiz. I was part of a team that was dominated by the Norwich OS. We had a great time, and came in equal fifth. But it was a good night!
Then we went into the rehearsal room and did a run over Dancin' Fool. After that, we had a go at setting the Opening. This is the other "big dance" that I shall be in - though only when I am "non-Tony". When I am Tony, I do very little, and everyone dances around me. Such are the privileges of being the principal :-)
After that, we set a couple of the principals' scenes - the dialogue between Steven and Samantha, and then the scene where Sam and his cronies sing of "Havana".
When we were not doing this, Julian (the other Tony/Rico), Aimee (Samantha/Lola) and I went over some lines, or at other times we did some Dancin' Fool practice. By the end of the day I was suitably sweaty, even though the day was cool. Then I did some exercises that I have been given by my physiotherapist and went straight to the bar, sweaty and smelly though I may have been. I chatted with Joe Burgh for a while, then went back to the room for a shower before dinner.
After dinner, it was The Quiz. I was part of a team that was dominated by the Norwich OS. We had a great time, and came in equal fifth. But it was a good night!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Day three - how can it be going so quickly?
Wow - that's the third day gone already! It's amazing; I can feel the week slipping away and it's hardly even started.
So, today we started off with a warm-up which seemed very similar to a Scottish ceilidh dance. It was lovely to see so many English people trying to ceilidh!
After that we went on to our classes. In the morning and the first part of the afternoon, we did music. As well as chorus work, we also took some time out for the principals to do their numbers. And then... the dancing started.
We set "Dancing Fool". Now, I have seen a very good society do this purely as a sung number. Not so this time - it's choreographed from the first drum beat to the last note. And there's none of this "repeat to the left" stuff either - it's a completely danced through number.
When I'm playing Tony, I am right at the front centre. And when I'm Rico, I still get to dance the number (obviously not in Rico costume), but in the chorus at the back. What makes that even more challenging is that there are a number of places where Tony makes a move, and the chorus then copies it. It's hard enough to remember four minutes of dance set in about 90 minutes, without having to deal with two different sets of moves depending on whom you're playing.
The great thing about summer school, however, is the way that the students work together to help each other. A few of us got together in the rehearsal room after dinner and had a run over the first half before going on to our evening activities.
There were three evening sessions; the students are free to choose one or not attend any. The three were "Interactions - a study of the relationship between cast, MD and director", a dance session based around a number from Hairspray and a talk about auditioning by the school's director, Ray Jeffrey.
I went to the last one, where Ray spent an hour or so talking about what a director looks to get from an audition and how to play into what the director needs, how to prepare for an audition, and how to face the reality that you may not always get what you wanted. He raised some interesting points that made me think about my attitude to auditioning and how to do it better.
Finally a short session in the bar, and off to bed... Good night!
So, today we started off with a warm-up which seemed very similar to a Scottish ceilidh dance. It was lovely to see so many English people trying to ceilidh!
After that we went on to our classes. In the morning and the first part of the afternoon, we did music. As well as chorus work, we also took some time out for the principals to do their numbers. And then... the dancing started.
We set "Dancing Fool". Now, I have seen a very good society do this purely as a sung number. Not so this time - it's choreographed from the first drum beat to the last note. And there's none of this "repeat to the left" stuff either - it's a completely danced through number.
When I'm playing Tony, I am right at the front centre. And when I'm Rico, I still get to dance the number (obviously not in Rico costume), but in the chorus at the back. What makes that even more challenging is that there are a number of places where Tony makes a move, and the chorus then copies it. It's hard enough to remember four minutes of dance set in about 90 minutes, without having to deal with two different sets of moves depending on whom you're playing.
The great thing about summer school, however, is the way that the students work together to help each other. A few of us got together in the rehearsal room after dinner and had a run over the first half before going on to our evening activities.
There were three evening sessions; the students are free to choose one or not attend any. The three were "Interactions - a study of the relationship between cast, MD and director", a dance session based around a number from Hairspray and a talk about auditioning by the school's director, Ray Jeffrey.
I went to the last one, where Ray spent an hour or so talking about what a director looks to get from an audition and how to play into what the director needs, how to prepare for an audition, and how to face the reality that you may not always get what you wanted. He raised some interesting points that made me think about my attitude to auditioning and how to do it better.
Finally a short session in the bar, and off to bed... Good night!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Georgia
The issue of whether I can learn two sets of lines seems so trivial when Russia appears to be re-taking over Georgia. I suppose there is a certain cleverness to the idea of invading the country while the world is looking at the Olympic games, but even so...
All we can do is wait and see how it plays out, I guess. But it feels pretty awful being so powerless.
All we can do is wait and see how it plays out, I guess. But it feels pretty awful being so powerless.
Day 2
12:10
After a fantastic breakfast, that's the auditions now over. We started with the Class C girls at 9am, then Class C boys, Class B girls and so on. The range of audition quality was from performance standard downwards, with me somewhere in the middle. But it did make me feel that I really do need to get myself a vocal tutor.
It's been a long time since I last had an audition - I couldn't believe how nervous I was!
1800
Oh my goodness. I have been cast as both Steven/Tony and as Rico! How is this possible? Well, at the end of the week there are two performances - afternoon and evening. In one, I shall be Steven/Tony and in the other, Rico.
This will inevitably involve a lot of learning. I'm mostly on top of the Steven/Tony dialogue, but haven't learned any of Rico's.
It's going to be really weird for the girl that's playing Samantha/Lola, as she will be playing the part in both performances!
Oh, and just to add the icing to the cake, I've been asked to help out in a different class by coming in and standing, menacingly, as an agent of the Inquisition!
I'm going to be very busy!
2150
This evening we had a "singalong" with some songs from Joseph. We had great fun playing with a few of the songs, as well as singing them straight, before the big finale. Then it was off to the bar for a few drinks.
I've decided on quite an early bed, both to go over my chorus harmonies and to try to learn some lines. It appears that in the show where I am playing Rico, I shall also be involved in as many chorus numbers as timing permits. So I am going to have to learn Dancin' Fool as both Tony and as a regular chorus member - the same goes for the opening number. So there will be a lot of dancing, and I also have to try my best to look after my voice.
Oh well, if it were easy they'd call it football...
After a fantastic breakfast, that's the auditions now over. We started with the Class C girls at 9am, then Class C boys, Class B girls and so on. The range of audition quality was from performance standard downwards, with me somewhere in the middle. But it did make me feel that I really do need to get myself a vocal tutor.
It's been a long time since I last had an audition - I couldn't believe how nervous I was!
1800
Oh my goodness. I have been cast as both Steven/Tony and as Rico! How is this possible? Well, at the end of the week there are two performances - afternoon and evening. In one, I shall be Steven/Tony and in the other, Rico.
This will inevitably involve a lot of learning. I'm mostly on top of the Steven/Tony dialogue, but haven't learned any of Rico's.
It's going to be really weird for the girl that's playing Samantha/Lola, as she will be playing the part in both performances!
Oh, and just to add the icing to the cake, I've been asked to help out in a different class by coming in and standing, menacingly, as an agent of the Inquisition!
I'm going to be very busy!
2150
This evening we had a "singalong" with some songs from Joseph. We had great fun playing with a few of the songs, as well as singing them straight, before the big finale. Then it was off to the bar for a few drinks.
I've decided on quite an early bed, both to go over my chorus harmonies and to try to learn some lines. It appears that in the show where I am playing Rico, I shall also be involved in as many chorus numbers as timing permits. So I am going to have to learn Dancin' Fool as both Tony and as a regular chorus member - the same goes for the opening number. So there will be a lot of dancing, and I also have to try my best to look after my voice.
Oh well, if it were easy they'd call it football...
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Summer School Day 1
Left home in the most apalling weather. The rain was lashing down, bouncing off the ground. Truly dreadful weather - what has happened to summer?
Drove down, stopping for a McDonalds on the way. The journey statistics were
Distance: 236 miles
Average speed: 49mph (this includes a 15 minute stop at McDonalds)
Time: 4hr 51 minutes (again includes the stop for lunch)
Fuel consumption: 47.6miles per gallon
By the time I arrived, the rain was mostly off and I was able to get my stuff moved into my room quite easily. The room is okay - having the en suite makes such a difference - and then I went down to go to the "new students" meeting. I don't really count as a new student, but it's been many years since I was last here so I turned up anyway.
After that, dinner.
Then we went to the official welcome from the Principal of the school. He explained that over the course of a week, each class will put on a forty to fifty minute extract from a show. Class A is "Man Of La Mancha", Class B is "Kiss Me Kate" and Class C, "Copacabana". I am in Class C
After that we split up into our classes. It was pretty scary to see that we number four girls and four boys. We are promised another girl will join us; she is travelling just now but will be with us tomorrow.
I put my name down to audition for the part of Steven / Tony. I have been learning the lines for the past week or two, but had completely failed to learn the musical audtition. I have got a lot of learning to do tonight.
While we were at the introductory Class C meeting, the director said that he was still convinced that we could put on a good extract. We should be expecting to work very hard over the next week, however. With only nine people on stage it will be hard to cover for any mistakes. And with six male roles, the casting will be interesting too!
So, Class C got to the bar first, and eventually the other classes arrived. We scored one minor victory in that a girl in one of the other classes decided to move over to Class C. I am told that she is a terrific dancer - great! I like the idea of another person to hide behind :-)
Drove down, stopping for a McDonalds on the way. The journey statistics were
Distance: 236 miles
Average speed: 49mph (this includes a 15 minute stop at McDonalds)
Time: 4hr 51 minutes (again includes the stop for lunch)
Fuel consumption: 47.6miles per gallon
By the time I arrived, the rain was mostly off and I was able to get my stuff moved into my room quite easily. The room is okay - having the en suite makes such a difference - and then I went down to go to the "new students" meeting. I don't really count as a new student, but it's been many years since I was last here so I turned up anyway.
After that, dinner.
Then we went to the official welcome from the Principal of the school. He explained that over the course of a week, each class will put on a forty to fifty minute extract from a show. Class A is "Man Of La Mancha", Class B is "Kiss Me Kate" and Class C, "Copacabana". I am in Class C
After that we split up into our classes. It was pretty scary to see that we number four girls and four boys. We are promised another girl will join us; she is travelling just now but will be with us tomorrow.
I put my name down to audition for the part of Steven / Tony. I have been learning the lines for the past week or two, but had completely failed to learn the musical audtition. I have got a lot of learning to do tonight.
While we were at the introductory Class C meeting, the director said that he was still convinced that we could put on a good extract. We should be expecting to work very hard over the next week, however. With only nine people on stage it will be hard to cover for any mistakes. And with six male roles, the casting will be interesting too!
So, Class C got to the bar first, and eventually the other classes arrived. We scored one minor victory in that a girl in one of the other classes decided to move over to Class C. I am told that she is a terrific dancer - great! I like the idea of another person to hide behind :-)
Monday, August 4, 2008
Car service and mobile Internet
My car needed serviced today. I can't complain too much; that's 34,000 miles on the clock and it's only the second service. Perhaps surprisingly, there were some ways in which the old Vectra was more refined than the Passat, but the 9,000 mile service interval of the Vectra is something I certainly shall not miss.
Anyway, I find myself with a few hours to kill at the VW dealership. They do have a WLAN, but it is secured and not available for use. So out comes my mobile phone. Yes, I am in a "Three" 3G area. I can connect my laptop to the phone via Bluetooth, and use the phone as a modem. And amazingly, I am connected to the internet.
Dig out the VPN and I even able to log in to work. Now, I don't think I'd want to do a lot of work using this setup, but I can at least answer email. Which is pretty impressive, all told!
Anyway, I find myself with a few hours to kill at the VW dealership. They do have a WLAN, but it is secured and not available for use. So out comes my mobile phone. Yes, I am in a "Three" 3G area. I can connect my laptop to the phone via Bluetooth, and use the phone as a modem. And amazingly, I am connected to the internet.
Dig out the VPN and I even able to log in to work. Now, I don't think I'd want to do a lot of work using this setup, but I can at least answer email. Which is pretty impressive, all told!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Photo storage
Every time that something seems to be coming together, it just gets more complicated.
My wife has managed to book some accommodation for the week that I shall be at summer school. That means that she and the kids can be on holiday and I shall not be feeling guilty that I'm away enjoying myself while they're doing normal things. So that's all good.
However, that means that she'll want to have the laptop. It's great for entertaining the kids when the weather's inclement. But I want it too! I need it to store photographs, and free up my memory cards. I forsee difficulties here...
Options include buying a new laptop (it'll have to happen soon enough anyway), an "Image Tank" type of solution (I'd rather have a laptop, even though the ImageTank is small and light) or buying lots of CF cards.
I'm also hoping to get to the NODA Summer School presentations. I sent email yesterday checking that it would be okay, and have had no reply. So unless anything comes back in the next few days I shall assume that that means "no problem", and shall toddle down. Maybe I'll even get some decent photographs from the presentation.
My wife has managed to book some accommodation for the week that I shall be at summer school. That means that she and the kids can be on holiday and I shall not be feeling guilty that I'm away enjoying myself while they're doing normal things. So that's all good.
However, that means that she'll want to have the laptop. It's great for entertaining the kids when the weather's inclement. But I want it too! I need it to store photographs, and free up my memory cards. I forsee difficulties here...
Options include buying a new laptop (it'll have to happen soon enough anyway), an "Image Tank" type of solution (I'd rather have a laptop, even though the ImageTank is small and light) or buying lots of CF cards.
I'm also hoping to get to the NODA Summer School presentations. I sent email yesterday checking that it would be okay, and have had no reply. So unless anything comes back in the next few days I shall assume that that means "no problem", and shall toddle down. Maybe I'll even get some decent photographs from the presentation.
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