Review

An appreciative review on London's SE1 website! Click here to read.

Open for Business

Well and truly open for business, Orestes: Re-Examined has opened it's doors to our audience, last Wednesday 16th September. As ever, a mad rush towards opening night - but the company really pulled together, rooted themselves and gave a great first performance. It is always terrifying as a director watching an audience watching your show, and particularly with 'Orestes', as our audience is seated in traverse, in clear view of each other throughout! So I hid in the shadows, and tried not to mouth words, beat rhythms or nod appreciatively during the show.

On the opening of the show, it is always really important to give the show to the cast, so that they have total ownership over it. There was a real sense of buzz and excitement in the air, and it was clear that the cast were ready for an audience, ready to share and tell their stories. The first show was really tight, full of energy and purpose - I was extremely proud. We had a larger than expected house, and Orestes was acquitted. In fact - we are now at show 5 and he has been let off each time. We are left to wonder whether any audience might find him guilty. Thrilling that the cast are genuinely unaware of the outcome, and that they can experience the real feeling of anticipation and uncertainty.

And then we were storming ahead towards the heightened states of press night. Not before a cheeky birthday prank for Filip (our Deputy), who was lured into a believing that I wanted to change the pre-show speech into a jazzier, cabaret version. He took it brilliantly - a real sport!

After a warm up aimed to level everyone, I discovered queues of audience at the box office, the show had somehow been oversold, and there was a bit of a 'fraccas' regarding tickets, but we wedged, pushed and shoved, and there were quite a few folk standing at the back. But I'm pleased to say there was a real buzz in the air, and a truly engaged (albeit hot) audience. Talking to audience after the show, they reported on how immersive, clear and dynamic the show was. The show really lifted onto the performance plateau, and it was wonderful to watch the cast really starting to play, connect and try out new things. They weren't at all thrown by the size (and familiarity) of the house. In the bar after the show, lots of positive responses, questions and points for discussion.

And then the tough bit - where I have to slip away and leave the cast to do their thing. My least favourite part of the process, but really necessary. Back on Monday though - and from reports, the show has been going from strength the strength.

More soon...

It's Begun - The TECH!

I type from the tech desk at the Southwark Playhouse on day two of the big tech experience. All going well, slowly - but that is to be expected when you have a bunch of perfectionists creating a show!
We had a 12 hour day yesterday, the set looks fantastic, and Alex has done a grand job with the lighting conjuring just the right atmosphere and impact to frame and reinforce the play. The cast displayed amazing patience yesterday as they were required to stand still for hours on end as we plotted lights and sound around them. It's always difficult from where I am sitting to grasp the whole picture at this stage in production, when the show is spliced up into cues and technical chunks. Of course the artistic anxiety kicks in that all the beautiful rehearsal detail is lost in the melais of dry ice and parcans. But - deep down I trust that once we join up all the dots, it will fit back together again.

Adam Griffiths has very kindly joined the team and created the AV and film work for the pre-show, looking great - and we are most grateful to him. Our long day was concluded by a burst of song from our team of authorities who had put their long hours of sitting around to good use, and written a spoof song about 'Argos' - which was then performed in the style of a frog chorus to the rest of the company. A perfect way to end the day.

More soon....
Emma

Orestes - GET IN!

Well how exciting - our GET IN day at Southwark. Pleased to report that Mike and has team have everything in hand, and there was a real buzz in the theatre today as the scaffolders came in, the seating was built, the lights were rigged, and the set began to get dressed. Delighted to announce we have also managed to acquire two lovely ASMs (below) Maddie and Lillie, who watched a rehearsal and subsequently signed up! It's days like these that remind you what its all about. All hands on deck, music blasting, a buzz of activity and all working towards the same goal: TO GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!

(We were even treated to Mike on the piano in a tea break!)

Last rehearsals!

Can hardly believe we have finished rehearsals. Three weeks have flown by, yet also - so much has been developed and grown. We started running the show on Thursday, to see what we have. Really pleased to see how it all held together, but also discovered lots of areas to clarify and develop. Started now to really think about our audience, and how vital it is to distinguish their role and function. In participatory theatre, it is all too easy to 'tack' on the audience involvement, and forget to interrogate every interaction for believability and clarity. We have therefore spent the last two days working in minute detail on the text, re-writing and refining to improve again. We weren't helped by having to work in what I can only describe as a bright white airport hanger with intense echo - not ideal for working with focus on detail! So Friday will go down as my most challenging rehearsal yet, but miraculously, we managed to achieve a great deal in developing and improving the work.

Thursday night saw our first company night out! We were all very much ready to let our hair down and enjoy some socialising. Natasha, our very own events organiser (!) did brilliantly in coordinating 30 of us to go out for dinner and drinks, and much fun was had by all!

Final Unit

Dear all,

In thought of todays work, here are some areas of research that Philip directed me towards. 

Exodus: Vukover 1991

Srebrenica 1994/5

Harrowing echoes to our final unit.

The painting is called 'The Parting' by Alicia Melamed Adams (1991).

Thank you

Kitty

Rehearsal progress

Another successful day at the Southwark Playhouse, and - amazingly, we are nearing the end of the show! I don't want this week to go too quickly - and am trying to savour each moment of this wonderful rehearsal journey. More exploring, playing and risking from all. There is such a positive energy in the rehearsal room, and I come away each evening feeling so inspired and enhanced. This project has confirmed to me the profound impact that theatre can have on us - politically, socially, culturally. Having the opportunity to sculpt and create work that is absolutely up to date, relevant and resonant feels so critical. Being able to create with a group of artists who are so open, generous and ready to explore is a real privilege. It is rare to find yourself in amongst an ensemble that has an innate cohesion, total lack of ego, and a shared desire to make the work the best it can be. Horay.

Yesterday, we welcomed another seven cast members into the team; our ensemble of authorities, who are now working hard with Andrew Beckett to develop the key audience interaction for the pre-show. Stirling work going on. Kitty has also been developing wonderful movement work with the rebels, and Kat came back for more singing. A veritable hub of creativity. Some images below to try and capture the life of our day: