Based in the UK in glorious Yorkshire, retired from the food industry and spending more time with computers, photography and amateur dramatics and often combinations of all three.
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Yes it’s over a week since the end of play and we all walked back to the pavilion (or The Forum in our case). We have been resting and taking a break from what was a very popular and enjoyable production run of Chris Paling’s The Final Test. Thanks to all the audiences that supported us and to our non-member helpers who assist with set-building and refreshments during the play nights.
Shortly we will be posting photos from the play but first a look back on our preparation and first night.
The stage is set and almost ready to go
The set had been finished a few days before the show so we were finally able to test out all our rehearsal moves in the proper acting space for both tech and dress rehearsal nights. Our stage is not big but we managed to create a space that featured the three focal points of the garden chair, the French doors and the inside of the house.
Dressing roomGetting ready on stageThe set – not so bonny from the actors’ side!Secrets of back stage
Obviously the illusion of the set is broken when you are on the stage as these pictures reveal.
Waiting to go on..Props backstageDual roles – Stage Mgr and actorYour Box office favouriteFront of House – are we ready to go?All ready for the first night
A few nerves yes, but on that first night there was real excitement at the prospect of being able to deliver our weeks of practice to an audience at last.
And then, suddenly, it was all over, Saturday night, emotions high, adrenaline flowing, buzzing. Tables were set up on stage afterwards (very appropriate – it looked like a party in Peter and Ruth’s garden, the summer sun under the hot floodlights). No photos exist of the bacchanalian and epicurean feast that took place that night – perhaps that’s as well as they would reveal merely a few beers and take-away pizzas and a tired crew.
The next morning a busy and tiring Sunday dismantling the set and the auditorium and packing vast amounts of everything away into confined spaces that defy dimensional space until at last we could relax. Flop. Sleep.
Post-play General Meeting night
The following night was our society meeting including discussion, analysis and lessons learned from the production.
So what’s next? Our next play is due in early May 2023 but more on that another time. Meanwhile you can expect to see a gallery of photos of the actual play from dress rehearsal night in our next post. Don’t miss it.
Last night saw our final rehearsal in the confines of The Forum before we transition the play to the stage. Today, Friday, we began our long weekend of set-building, one which requires yet more time sacrifices from the members and helped, thankfully, by our other practical helpers that Richard always manages to round up from the pub.
Some of our backstage crew who have been keeping the cast on track
This is hard but exciting work as we create the actual set that until now has only been a vision in our minds and represented by blocks and pieces of tape on the floor.
An empty stage on Friday morning. By Sunday the set will be complete.And so it beginsDon’t take offence Mike
With just a few days to go to first night we are in the fortunate position of having already sold the majority of our seats.
There are a few left for Thursday and Saturday but be quick. That said it is always worth checking for cancellations. As a small society it is so important to us to sell all our tickets – not just to share our creative efforts with you, but to ensure we get sufficient income to keep going and put on our future plays.
Petuaria Players 