Absent *again*!

Presumably, now that you've all run out of turkey and mince pies (well, nearly), your mind is turning to higher things, such as - "What happened at the last rehearsal?" "How much mulled wine had I drunk before I was supposed to deliver my lines?" "Just how many pieces of Mark's brownies did I eat?"

So, with a humungous smiley face :-) at Simon, Sarah and Charlie who *did* email me and a very severe frowny face >:-(  at the rest of you for the shortage of notes on which to base this blog report, here goes.

We are suffering again from The Case of The Invisible Choreographer, who was stuck in Gloucester (but not Gloucester, Gloucester, because that would lead to a very cheesy joke...) but fortunately Kim has been forewarned of this possibility and therefore has revised some of the dance routines, which are the focus of the rehearsal.  Teni also helps on Song 3, and Daisy just helps. Daisy hasn't been forewarned but she seems to cope anyway!  In spite of it being incredibly cold in the hall, with some people sitting huddled in their coats, no-one feels brave enough (or rich enough) to try feeding a pound coin into the meter to see if this will bring the new fan heaters to life.

We start with Song 1 and this goes quite well despite the absence of more people than just the choreographer.  Being the first number, this is a bonus as the audience will be impressed by the smiley energy and accuracy.  Whether this lulls them into the proverbial false sense of security remains to be seen.  Of course, it helped that Martin had asked everyone who wasn't 'on stage' to join in the singing, saying, "Those who aren't in it can sing," despite the subsequent remark that this was just a rumour.  It seems that "smile" is still the director's favourite word: "You have to look like you're enjoying it -- even you three over there."  Is "smile" perhaps the new "pace"?

We then go on to practise Song 3 - "Kim and Daisy can demonstrate".  There is a misunderstanding about the timing of some words, which isn't entirely helped by the singers trying to work on their dance steps at the same time; after a mix-up about exactly which chord is the cue for the singers to come back in, Martin decides to move on and revisit Song 3 later if time permits.  (It does, and singing  through the song without the distraction of dancing clears everything up.)

On to Song 7, the one without words but which is now known as the Oi! song.  This brings with it technical difficulties for the musicians when Martin suggests that the guitarists have to be on the down-stage-right steps, as there isn't room for them on the stage.  This means that they can't hear  the rest of the band (and vice versa) as they will be situated down-stage-left.  At MD Steve's suggestion, Sarah (who is reinforcing the guitar melody on her clarinet) moves to be with the guitarists DSR, where Miles warns her that she'll have to dress as a gypsy -- and possibly a male one at that! -- if she joins the guitarists.  Of more concern to Sarah is that she will have to  memorize the tune!

Now it's time to practise Song 8 - this may be the one for which Martin suggests to the dancers, "Try to do the same as the person in front of you.  Then if anything goes wrong it's the front row's fault!" - my informant was uncertain. The various members of the band each separately toyed with putting in a cheesy cha-cha-cha ending just to amuse each other.  This is undoubtedly hugely helpful...  Sounds like the band haven't got enough to do!   It inspires  a long discussion about the very end of the song; Martin points out "this is the last note of the first act", so clearly it's important to get it right, especially as the band's final sting is the cue for the last move of the dance.  There are several runs-through of the very end, with various suggestions being made about the timing of Giles's final drum hit, until eventually the band settles on something that works for them as well as for the dancers.  Phew!
 

Song 9 also inspires some debate as Steve wants to add some light and shade and is keen that the singers should continue to make the chorus sound louder than the verses; Martin comments, "I think they hit the chorus because they know the words."  How well he knows us all!

Also in tonight's rehearsal schedule is Song 18.  Cathy is initially the only person to admit to being in group 1.  Others eventually join her.  The chorus are then instructed to try to avoid crashing into each other during this song.  Is this because during any other song it's okay?  We've not been given this specific instruction before...

Doubtless there is more to be related but you're all keeping it secret.  In the meantime, it just remains for me to remind you that Bob has produced DVDs of the dances which are now available for the super low price 50p, get one from Bob and practise over the Christmas break. Next rehearsal is on Monday 2nd January at 7pm, rehearsals thereafter at 6pm.  (Bring a coat!)