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After last Sunday’s mild fiasco, when only half of them had turned up, I demanded, and extracted, a promise from all of them that they would either turn up for the following week, or let me know why in advance. I received no such excuses (bar one) so in theory I should have been able to expect a virtually full attendance. And pigs might fly.
Eventually, by about 10.40, about two thirds of them were there, and so I started – more drifted in as I was speaking. I spoke for rather too long, as there was a lot to say. Some was admin, about the bios they have been asked to provide. But what took up an inordinate amount of time was a discussion about costume; the costume people, a young man called Ali and his mother, were coming this morning to take measurements. Since I would not have time to discuss each costume with them, that would have to be the students’ job… and clearly many/most had not the faintest idea what their costume might be.
So that too took a long time, as I very nearly had to deal with each actor one by one. They are, I think, so conditioned to being told, that their ability to think for themselves has atrophied. But we got through everyone, and have to hope that the costume people and I are on the same page. Or at least can get there.
Finally, we got started. And there were many positives: first of all, for the most part I was far more relaxed than the soaking wet character I had been last week. I did not allow myself to lose my temper (much, till the end) and happened upon one big help at an early stage, making Laksh my assistant director, taking over certain scenes, allowing me to take a breath, check that the costume people were fine, gee up others, etc. This new arrangement with Laksh was working so well – he was doing an excellent job – that I instantly appointed him to it permanently.
Secondly, with more actors there, I was able to work in a bit more detail with certain characters. The monkeys, for example, on stage for the very first time as a trio, showed terrific promise. And it emerged that Steve, lead monkey, was also an acrobat (something he had kept quiet about earlier on, as he wanted to be Zeus.) Could he do a cartwheel during the dance, he asked me. You betcha.
Eventually, with about half an hour left, I called a halt to proceedings, so that we could call in the choir, which Oswin wanted to boost the singing. (Excellent idea; the more the merrier.) Oswin then took charge, combining both groups. The most notable moment came with the final song; on Wednesday during rehearsal, I had suggested a repeat of the final line, gradually fading away, leaving a poignant final atmosphere. I was rather proud of it, so was a bit startled when Oswin introduced some harmonies, and a swelling finish – not what I had in mind at all.
But as I listened, I realised that this was inspired. Oswin explained later that this would be far more likely to get the sort of rousing audience response that would finish the show on a high, and he was absolutely right. And though it is as yet a little raw, it is clear that it could sound terrific.
The negatives? Well, I had another blow-up, virtually exploding at Saquib (Pig) for still mucking about during the song, despite having been told a couple of times. And then had to have a stern word with Dron, who is recording footage for a rehearsal reel, and who had filmed my meltdown. This had to be deleted, I told him. And I was able to instantly defuse the tension after my outburst with saying, “Angry or acting?” to everyone. “Acting!” most of them replied. “Hm, “ I said. “Bit of both.”
The other negative? The fact that, despite starting this time with Act 2, we still did not get to the end. Of the Act. Let alone the whole play. Getting set for a six-hour performance.
