One step forward…

In some ways, Zhvan is moving in the right direction.  We now have a home for rehearsals, granted us by WeRESTART, a community ARTS Organisation, based in North London (I think.)  They also offer the possibility of applying for further grants, but this is something of a two-edged sword, since I at least have not the faintest idea how one might even begin to syart preparing such a document.

Encouragingly, Hamed has also completed his play, which now has an ending which brings him to London.  The most important new sections are three new scenes: on the beach at Calais, the beginning of the terrifying journey across the Channel, and a new final scene, replacing the somewhat artificial and rather stagey scene which took place in a pub, and using instead the far more realistic surroundings of an English class for migrants. 

On the down side, we have lost one of our members, Davood having decided to withdraw, apparently on the advice of his doctor advising him on his mental health.  My own (unqualified) opinion is that this could further isolate him, and remove some purpose from his life, but what do I know?  And in any case, the decision has been made.

We still have Roji only as an occasional online presence.  We are short of a couple of actors now (all the more so since Hamed introduced some more characters) so are not yet in a position to focus on words (which is when Roji would be able to play a more meaningful part.)

However, we have recruited two more actors – Arli from Albania, who is very good, and should be able to cover two of the roles quite comfortably.  And this week, the arrival of (I think) Conny, a young Iranian girl.  I have not met her yet, as my own attendance was prevented by the closure of the M40, and the traffic chaos that ensued, affecting roads all the way from Oxford to London – I did set off, but after only making about ten miles after more than an hour, I turned back.

So recruitment is the major issue right now.  Really, we need two more actors, and mature males would make casting more straightforward.  So we shall have to keep looking, and in the meantime, manage as best we can.

From what I have seen, this week’s rehearsal was productive.  We have already had to manage showing travel in a huge lorry; now we have the task of portray the launch and journey across the channel in a small inflatable boat.  This has provoked a good deal of discussion as to how to manage this, but the video Cristina took today, using a regular table, does seem to solve a lot of problems.  The photo at the top shows a still image from that video.