Now there is a smell of woodsmoke in the air, it must be time to run through Act One! A few faces who haven't been here for a couple of weeks surface and catch up with the rest of the chorus while Giles warms his drums up and the saxophone toots melodiously in the background.
Martin claps his hands for a start and not much happens initially but then our opening speakers take the 'stage' and we can get going, while the chorus play the part of the audience - well, we are all sitting down like an audience, so it seems not unreasonable. It can run fairly smoothly in many ways as we're not off book yet, this being the first full rehearsal of Act One as opposed to songs and dances. Speaking of which, our songs and dances are going to be a little late starting as the bandleader/keyboard player has been unavoidably delayed, so it's all script reading at the moment. Which side entrances and exits need to be on is still being refined and not everyone is aware of how long the lines before their entrance are going to take. A brief musical interlude gets all the teenagers on stage although the newest addition to the teen chorus is almost immediately assigned more than she might have chosen! Two of them are then chased around the stage by Nick, who frankly is old enough to know better... But I won't say any more yet in case I spoil the surprise. Martin (a different Martin) hasn't done the dance for Song One but Director Martin tells him he can just stay by his trolley (not off it, then) and join in the singing. The singing is a little ropey but we are attempting it without the keyboards, and doing the dancing at the same time. Martin says we'll do it again when Steve gets here and I can hear mutters of agreement from the rest of the band.
Barely two lines later, and it's time to do Song Two. Well, actually it's seven lines later, but it still comes as a bit of a shock, including to the band who are still making notes about Song One. The singing this time is better but the dance is a little less intricate, which may have something to do with it. Charlotte has to make a hasty crossing of the stage on her knees - she is probably regretting volunteering for this role already, to judge by the face she's pulling. There's a call for sound effects and Sarah has fun creating weird and wonderful noises with her electronic gizmo. A little more script work and the scene is set, as the saying goes, for the next part of the story to be take to the stage.
The next scene runs remarkably smoothly given that the Dame isn't here yet but the cast cope without him and Martin reads his lines is a suitably high voice. In fact, the Dame gets here just as the next scene starts, but I'm sure he'll have plenty of opportunity to read some lines later on Act One. Especially since Martin tells the players of Scene Two that now that the Dame is here, they can do it again. Their performance is punctuated by the arrival of the keyboard player and all his kit but they still manage to get to the end of the previously rehearsed section without too many mishaps and a few ad libs. Then it's on to the other half of the scene, which takes lots of input from the Dame and a first time up for the comedy duo. This provides plenty of entertainment for those of us not on stage at present, seeing the correct actors reading the part rather than just anyone, as at the initial read-through. They're trying to enact the messy scene, which is possibly even funnier without props. (Though obviously it'll be amazing once it's all on stage with props and no scripts, so do buy tickets when they're available in the New Year!) Kim takes a few photos, possibly for the programme, so yet another reason to come along in February. :-)
Now that the band are all here, we do Songs One and Two again. Having the keyboards backing the singers is definitely helping, though it could be because each practice improves the general level of memory. However, on reaching the end of Song One, Martin asks the band to do it again, at approximately twice the speed so that it's less dirge-like. It wasn't that slow, so I'm hoping it won't be twice that next time... After about four lines, Martin stops the band again, claiming that they've slowed down again already! The band rise to the challenge, going at a breakneck pace which makes it a little harder to fit all the dance moves in, but we make a manful effort. Now for Song Two again - what speed will Martin want this one doing? Giles tries out a few tempi on the drums just to wind us up, though when we get going, it's not that much slower.
Time for some coffee and approved chatter. Announcements reflect the amount of work already ongoing with regard to props and costumes and a request from Martin for people to join him in Bicester on Thursday when the Christmas lights are being turned on. We are also asked to collect large perfume bottles (don't ask) and reminded that Lauren is back next week so she'll do the dances again, and this time Bob will film them for us. Something to watch over Christmas, Martin says, when there's nothing on TV.
Now on with Act One. Because there's still quite a lot to be done! This is quite complicated for the band as half their number are still doing the washing-up but we start without them and then realise that the dancing isn't quite the way it's supposed to be. Start the song again! Teni has kindly joined the rehearsal to help us with our dance which for some is probably just as well, though there are a few who know what they're doing, all exacerbated by the absence of a few chorus members.
Finally we get to a scene between Beauty and the Beast - I'm not really giving anything away, I think, telling you that, unless you hadn't yet noticed the title of this year's pantomime. And a fetching song for them. The band want to do the song again, but there's no time yet.
Now our resident baddie has her moment. There is a song coming up; by now the band are having 'an issue', but as far as Sue is concerned, there's a bigger issue in that she doesn't know how the song goes yet. Martin sings along with her to give the band the chance to play the song through and agrees with her that the key will change - the power! (Mark claims she's like that at home, but I couldn't possibly comment.)
After a little more script stuff, we reach the instrumental song. Although the dance is not perfected, it's made more difficult by the disagreement between director and band about the length of the intro that the dancers will get before they start. I'm momentarily confused by Sue the baddie turning up in the chorus line, but I suppose she's standing in for someone. Or is bored. One or the other... We get to the end and Martin announces that we won't do that again. Probably more than anyone's sanity can manage.
The next song seems to have a particularly random dance but actually it's the cast changing their minds about where they're supposed to be. Several times. By the time the last chord is reached, we're all in the right place. Just not much before the last chord. Knowing which dance routine we're supposed to be doing helps, so Martin suggests we do that one again.
This is technically now the end of Act One, so Martin takes the opportunity to run through some of the earlier sections again. Sue gets a chance to be really bad without having to sing and then the chorus gets to sing Song Three again. Rod decides to sit down and not sing it instead of standing in the middle of the chorus not singing it, but I have to tell him off for starting to join in quietly. He mustn't develop bad habits this early! It takes a while to remind people where they're starting and partners are different for this week ( because of those absences) but eventually we get going and once through is enough for Martin to allow us all to go home. A brief mention of the CDs that are available for a mere 50p and we stack the chairs and head off.
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