Theatrical goings on

Oh, what a wonderous week of theatrical events.

Wednesday was the headline act, the first get together of the cast of An Unnecessary Murder, for the first read through of the play. 

I found myself abuzz and agog with excitement all day.  Despite the passing of more than a few years since childhood times, I remain a big kid at heart.  The only way I can describe it was like being a child on Xmas morning.

I still can't quite come to terms with - (1) that I've actually written a play, (2) that people who know about these things think it's passably ok to even moderately entertaining and worth putting on, and most importantly, (3) that it's going to be staged at a proper theatre to a real life audience.

Eek!

I can feel myself getting over-excited again, so back to my report on Wednesday...

Most of the actors don't know each other, so there was the inevitable awkwardness and inhibitions that come with the first introductions of a group - much like at a party, I suppose.  And they don't really know the parts yet, and haven't got a true sense of the characters or the plot.

But!  And this was the lovely, heartening and warming bit - it didn't take long for the frost to thaw and for everyone to get into it.  I was so impressed with how fast the cast picked up on their roles and began to transport them from lines of a piece of paper to making them live.  I could almost see each person changing, to become the one they were portraying.

And with that, a chemistry was emerging.  The actors were starting to get to know each other, and the feeling was transforming - from a number of individuals reading from a script into a cast, a unit, all living out a story.

By the end of the read through, I was giggling away at some of the lines (they were meant to be funny), very much enjoying the performance, and finding myself keen to know what happened in the end.  This despite me being the one who wrote it!

And all that was just on a first meeting and read through.  It's only going to get better as we go along.  So, if you'll excuse me indulging myself a little - woo hoo, yee hah and yeah!!  It's great!

And for any of the cast reading this, a quick reassurance - don't worry, I won't come along to all the rehearsals. It was only after the read through that a couple gently mentioned to me how intimidating it was to have the writer along.

That never occured to me!  I just wanted to see it all starting to happen.  So go ahead, dear and fair cast, do your stuff without me lingering and lurking, I have every faith - and more - in you.

There's one more thing to add to this.  Yesterday, I did some strange clothes shopping. Yes, I can hear those of you who know me saying that all my clothes shopping is strange, but in this case I mean particularly peculiar.

I can reveal that - after due consideration - I will be taking a part in the play after all, but in a small and unorthodox way.  Which required the shopping for special clothes.  The reason - the only hint I'm giving is that it's going to be messy...

For more about An Unnecessary Murder, including the all important details of when and where it's being put on, see the News and Events page - www.thetvdetective.com/news.html

I'm away now to rehearse at the bathroom mirror.  Lucky mirror, I hear you cry... maybe.