h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Right. OK. Well, the last few weeks haven't been very much fun, with a whole load of 'stuff' going on in the Operatic Society. I won't go into the details, as it'd bore you rigid, plus it wouldn't be appropriate. I shall just say that nobody has any moral concerns any more, that many relationships are strained and that I have to work very hard to be enthusiastic at the rehearsals. You can't quite cut the atmosphere with a knife any more, but almost...

I've agreed to play the role of Ralph, who is the stage manager of the show within the show. It's quite a fun little part, and means that I double as a chorus member as well, with one or two rather entertaining quick changes on the cards. I will be switching between Ralph and anonymous ensemble person only five times, and one of those is between the two acts, so should be manageable, although during act one, I suspect I'll need to wear the obligatory Shakespearan tights for the ensemble underneath Ralph's trousers for speed of changing. Tights can be very awkward!

As of the end of Friday's rehearsal, we were still lacking a Bill Calhoun plus another supporting male role, but a very pleasant and talented chap was auditioning afterwards, so hopefully we're only one person short now.

First read-through with most principals on Tuesday was encouraging. Some are immediately obvious as fantastically suited to their roles, others less so, but we should get there. I don't have too much to learn this time, but mustn't get complacent.

I'm hoping that by the time we come back after Christmas, I'll begin to look forward to rehearsals and enjoy the idea of the show.

Perhaps once rehearsals get properly underway everyone will be concentrating on the task in hand and the old stuff will be forgotten?

I'm hoping so. The last few weeks have shown me both how strong and how weak I am.

Knowing ones weaknesses is a strength of its own

It strikes me that you have great staying power. Some people would have walked away but I can see that you are a great asset to the company. Keep strong!

I'll second that. You did the right thing, and the company is better off long term as a result. It may take a while for things to return to normal - whatever that is - but you'll all get there,if not on Kiss Me, Kate then on the next one.

Glad you had opportunity to take a different part after turning down original part offered . Some casting committees could have been uncharitable. Scruples aren't appreciated by everyone (hope you had some others supporting your position - do you not have a problem with anyone else acting opposite a minor, or has that situation not arisen?) Don't envy you the quick changes

I have a second part in J&H, but no quick changes required - I'll write that journal soon.

*points toward the others* What they said!

Pimms, the situation of anyone acting the part opposite a 14-year-old is no longer an issue. I was eventually asked whether I would consider playing the part under the new circumstances, but I declined due to how horrible and personal the whole situation had become - I knew I would no longer be able to put in the 100% the role would demand.

I hope that makes things clearer while still being sufficiently vague not to get me into trouble!

It has been a while since my last encounter with truly quick changes (Me and My Girl had lots of changes, but they weren't really quick as such), so it's probably my turn to have them again.

I know all my chorus music already. That'll probably either brand me as teacher's pet or make the musical director crack her whip towards everyone else.

Nuff said. Hope it is all in the past now. Shame it turned nasty. I can't pretend there have not been vicious disagreements between memebrs in my groups, but I have a sort of social myopia, that prevents me recognising them. The downside is that I also miss out when people are getting on well - I find out people are getting married and it comes as a great surprise, but apparently only to me.

Knowing the music may get you the chance for extra solo lines if any exist for chorus, and will certainly help when the numbers are being choreographed, not having to try too hard to remember the songs when trying to recall the new steps.

Please can I third that? (Vestboy's post earlier on and Hypatia's reply). Can I also (if technically possible) second the ?

I glance at my conversation list and keep interpreting this Thread title, followed by number of new posts, as suggesting there are two new posts to read, and there aren't.

Oops. Sorry.

That should help!

Two rehearsals in the last week.

Last Friday we did some preparatory work for the choreography of 'Too Darn Hot', which was more fun than anything ever has a right to be. We did some jiving, we did some rather intimate shuffling and we did a 36 bar segment of the dance break. Not all of us will be doing that segment, but the choreographer wanted us all to have fun, and to be able to work out which of us would be able to do it.

Everyone was smiling and laughing (well, one person wasn't, but she's not a happy bunny at present at all) and we achieved more than I would have expected. I have been going through the section at home since, and it's such fun.

I also discovered that I appear to be the only male in the cast who can cartwheel properly. How very, very random.

And on Tuesday, I went along to a principals music rehearsal. I'm only vaguely needed, as I will be singing as part of the male trio in 'Too Darn Hot'. The main singer is the character Paul, and the other wo are meant to be chorus members, but the director or musical director wanted to use me. My part is sort of 'featured chorus' anyway. I only got to go through it once, and that was without having a 'note bashing' session for the harmony, so I shall have to sort out my harmonies at home. It's nice to have an extra bit to sing.

Good for you. Your talent is being noticed! Well done.

We're back into rehearsals again now, and have finally started setting things in motion 'on the floor'. Last night we worked on the opening number, which manages to squeeze the overture in between two variations on 'Another Op'nin', Another Show'. We got halfway through, so not bad going at all, and it is rather good fun. I get to dash around with a clipboard telling people off for quite a bit of it and am rarely still. And we haven't even started the dancing yet, which is in the second half of the number. The best part about having a clipboard for a prop was that I could grab a pen and paper and make note about my moves as I was doing them. Which saved some time when I got home, as I normally write everything down frantically as soon as possible after the rehearsals.

Vocal-wise it was a bit ropy. The first time we went through the number before doing the on-stage bits, the musical director stopped us about three bars in to the second chorus section and said 'I'd like to hea more than just David when you come in there'. I'd been singing it through to myself a lot over the holidays, though I only got the music out to look properly at it over the last couple of days. It seems I'm one of the few that did any homework.

Give up librarianship NOW and go straight to the West End. Your public awaits!

I think many in a cast only appear to rehearse at rehearsals. The exceptions (like us ) seem talented in remembering things, when we know the truth is that we are just more experienced. Anything is easier to remember when you've rehearsed it a 100 times.

My problem is choreography, which I have difficulty making understandable notes about, and poor memory in recalling when away from rehearsals, making practise at home a non-starter.

nice result getting a clipboard prop. At least one person in the cast of our show has made notes in the margin of the newspaper he uses as a prop in 'Murder Murder' number. A clipboard is easier. The AD has put up a temporary flip-chart sheet on wall with aide-memoires for scenes in the long number.

Another rehearsal (complete with clipboard) last night, for the blocking of the non-musical bits of Act One. We managed three and a half scenes, totalling just under half of the act's dialogue I reckon, which isn't bad going at all. My role is very bitty - on for a couple of lines, then off into the wings for a few minutes, then on for another couple of lines. Myself and the woman playing Hattie (one of the dressers, who sings the lead vocal of 'Another Op'nin'') are in and out like little weather people.

I read in for the cab driver as well, giving me pleasant flashbacks to reading in for the telegram boy last year. The cab driver only has one line and a few gestures, so it wasn't exactly a hardship.

There's a good feeling among the principals, which is most pleasing. The director has a very friendly, accomodating style of working, but still knows what he wants out of us. Some can be very wishy-washy, but he certainly isn't.