Hello again!
Been a little while since my last entry, as we had an unexpected interruption. On Monday we returned to our rehearsal room to discover a fire had broken out over the weekend, damaging our costumes and plans for the day. All a bit shocking. So we used the day without a space as a chance to do some more bonding and picnicing in the park. Back to work on Tuesday, and even more developments. The company continue to take risks, explore and find even more personal connection with the story. Today we were lucky enough to rehearse in the space at Southwark, and it really helped to take the work to another level. The environment is key, and the rebel ensemble have had to work hard to ignore the shiny, clean, mirrored rehearsal room and imagine the dank, dark, cavernous space that is their home. Ellie Jones (Artistic Director at SP) came to watch some rehearsal today, and was pleased to see how the work is shaping up. We have now also gained our stage manager, Chandni - back from Edinburgh, and our sound operator Clare - so the company feels as if it is growing daily. Today we worked on the entrance of Menelaus to the dungeon, and explored the many complexities of having him agree to an audience with the mob. The presence of the International Delegation (in the shape of the audience) is key, we have found, to his agreeing to come. Some powerful work developed on the ritualised tormenting of Orestes - and Mat (our prince) is holding up well with what is proving to be a huge challenge for even the strongest of beings. Having 16 people torment, abuse, jeer and taunt - not an easy task. We always ensure much love is shared at the end of a rehearsal!
Phil Mathews, editor of the Drama Student Magazine came to watch and interview some of us today, and plans to run a feature on the production. He is interested particularly in the way our Bath Spa graduates have made the leap from student to professional domain.
Until soon....Emma
