The Producer's Run Through

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

{Henry Ford}

It's the second Saturday, which can mean only one thing.  A full run through for all of the theatre crew and Jamie Barber, the producer.  This is also where the sound and lighting team can see the general shape of the show, so that know where certain things will need to be lit etc.  

The run through actually went very well, and the chaperones and juves we're very friendly, giving us lots of support.  We seem to be in good shape - hopefully the audiences will think the same!

Me and PG have been having a giggle again.  We were trying to learn a dance routine to a number (which it turned out later - would be cut) where we came down to the front.  We were stood behind each other, acting like the naughty school boys at the back of the class.  PG and I were trying our best to keep up... but I think we had the devil in us that day.

PG suddenly referenced the show poster and the stance in which I, muddles, was standing.  

"What's with the funny hand?" he commented.

"Well I had to cheat it so it looked better for the camera."

"But why are your hands up?"  we started mimicking my photo.  Sometimes it really is the simple things.  This is the picture in question!

We started coming up with scenarios for the picture, one of which was quite naughty, so look away now if easily offended.

"My c*ck.... is this big!" and that was it!  We were gone!!  Silly little boys I hear you say!!!  We were literally crying!  The ensemble an Gerry kept looking at us, but decided best leave us to it!

The problem came when Gerry got to our next move in the routine.  We had to jump in, me behind SW and PG behind me, with our arms exactly as they are in the picture.  Another roar of laughter.  it took us a good while to regain our composure, although this move does eventually still make an appearance!

What's the point in growing up, when life can be such a giggle??!!

JB 

A Bike, A Bike! My Kingdom for a Bike!

"Be careful what you wish for!"

I thought I'd share this little rehearsal shot with you.  We have a wonderful chase scene as I have mentioned, brilliantly choreographed by Gerry and Jill.  

Gerry had suggested that I should come across the stage on a bike with a policemans flashing helmet.  great I thought... more giggles!  I told them that my old bike was still in storage in the Arnaud watersheds, but also suggested that the bike should be a small one, kind of like a clown, for added humour. 

Liza bought in one of her son, Samuel's old bikes, as seen above.  I jumped on!  And soon fell off again!  I couldn't ride it.  We were in fits of laughter as I struggled to pedal across the rehearsal room.  Vicky suggested that we have a competition to see who can ride it best.  So bad was I, that I had to simple push myself along with my legs.

Before the producers run, Liza tried to help me, saying I needed to spread my legs out a bit further, but still no join.

"Well....!"  Said Gerry, loud enough for all to hear!  "You asked for a little bike so you'd better learn!" with a wry smile on his face.  Thankfully, I think I've got the hang of it now... I just need a bit of a push off!!

JB

Chums!

A quick rehearsal snap of me and the Peege!!

Ladies & Jellyspoons.... THE BENCH!

"Well! We'll Have To Do It Again Then, Won't We! WHOOPS!" Take 2!

Christmas is far and away my favourite holiday. I love everything about it, from the event that inspired it, hoping for a white one, to wrapping presents. But mostly I love having family and friends gathered, and sharing traditions.  {Ellen Hopkins}

After a lovely day off, I'm back into rehearsals today, and what a day to come back!  My favourite routines are being rehearsed!  We're spending the afternoon looking at the Ghost Gag and the Twelve Days of Christmas sketch!

I adore the slapstick involved with the Twelve Days and this year is no exception.  In fact we've pushed it even further to try and create as much chaos and mayhem as possible.  I'm sure I'll be falling all over the place and if PG has anything to do with it, being hit in numerous parts of the body with lots of different objects.  I'm certainly going to be a proud sponsor of Arnicare again this year!

We had got lots of extra (new) bits and pops written into the sequence in the script - but we decided to revert back to tradition on most of it, but make sure it's larger than life!  The custard pies are of course everyone's favourite bit, along with the water pistols, and it is I who shall be taking the brunt of those.  Most people complain about slosh but I would be upset if I wasn't on the receiving end!

We've also got a couple of additions in the ghost gag routine this year, whilst still sticking to Guildford traditions.  Those of you who visited last year may remember our "Ghostie Gungers" who squirted cream.  Because of the amount of slosh already in the show this year - they have been left out this time around, but there is a little more slapstick, to hopefully make the audience enjoy this Yvonne Arnaud favourite even more.

People see these two routines virtually every year.  The Ghost gag is always there and the Twelve Days quite frequent.  there would be an uproar if they were left out of the running - especially the ghost gag bench.  Children from 4 years old to 99 all join in with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!"  and would be outraged if it was absent.  Thankfully, it's protected as the actors would have a similar displeasure!

The ghost gag is as big a part of some families Christmas as the presents, turkey or Santa Claus himself!

JB x

No Rest for the Wicked!!

Poor Kit had no chance of escaping my rehearsal cam!!! Or the mockery from our DSM Vicky!!

A Very Happy Birthday to a Very Special Lady!

I did a "Professional First" today... although many would probably argue it was in fact very unprofessional..

I had the day off to go back up to Brum and spend the day with Sandy and my family for my Nan's (Margaret's) Birthday!!  It was a very special birthday... the big 80!  And after months of telling my nan we wouldn't be able to make it due to rehearsal commitments, we couldn't wait to see her reaction.

Me and Sandy drove up to the 'Homelands' on the Tuesday evening.  On Wednesday morning we both rang Nan individually to wish her Happy Birthday and say "we wish we could be there!"  She sounded a bit disappointed, but put a brave face on it!  Within ten minutes we were at Nan and Grandad's house.

Surprised is not the word!  It all got a bit weepy... but Nan said it had made her day so we were chuffed to have pulled it off.  We all had a great day celebrating, laughing and catching up... see it as a little warm up for Christmas Day!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAN!!!!
JB x

"The Vertical Trampoline!"

There is little success where there is little laughter.

{Andrew Carnegie}

The weekend is nearly here!!  A time to relax, recharge and 'learn your damn lines!'

This post has Mr PG to thank for it's title.  We have been rehearsing the comedy chase I mentioned previously, starting with blocking PG and Ray.   Gerry gave what I think he thought would be a 'simple' piece of direction, a comedy bump into each other.  Ray crossed from one side of the stage and PG the other, for the bump centre.

What we hadn't factored in however was the height difference.  Ray comes up to around PG's stomach, so a little added comedy ensued.  Ray hit PG with such force that he bounced off PG's belly and stumbled backwards.  In the meantime PG, who had burst into laughter and not being moved by Ray's ramming, turned out to Gerry and Vicky, in virtual tears.  Ray, being the pro, quickly jumped up and within seconds was back in position, hiding under PG belly.  PG not noticing this turned back to look at Ray - who had 'dissappeared.'  You couldn't have written it.  PG looked around and then down to Ray and got a slight fright.  Comedy gold!  I'm convinced we should put it in the show.   

Through his tears PG managed to splutter "I'm like a vertical trampoline!"  

The light switch on was fantastic as ever, although we didn't get to sing "I wish it could be Christmas Everyday' - a few technical difficulties from the people organising the event.  The Eagle Radio segment upon the balcony however went well.  PG interviewed myself, Josie and Amy, who then went on to perform "Let it Go" to a massive Guildford crowd.  I've never seen that many people.  Right down past the Star Inn and up beyond the Three Pigeons.  Testament to the people of Guildford, coming out to support local event.

We're rocketing through at the moment and everything seems in great shape!

JB

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Josie Shows us her Evil....!

This Place is Like a Circus!!!!!!!

Comedy is difficult!  Especially slapstick. The trick is to have fun while you are performing it.  {Maureen O'Hara}

We seem to be storming through the first act!  The opening scenes and numbers are blocked and we were treated with starting work on a slapstick routine we have for Act One.  I don't want to spoil any of the surprises, so obviously I can't go into much detail, however.... keep an eye out for a little chaos happening in midway through the first act!

The culprits being Nora, Myself and Cheeky causing the mayhem and Snow White trying to keep everything in order... and failing!  There are props going everywhere, lots of mess and hopefully plenty of laughs for the audience.

I have literally cried today working with the fellas.  PG is a joy as ever and Ray is also up for a laugh.  And that's with a pint or two inside us.   We had one moment where PG thought it may be nice for me to catch him - before he revised his suggestion saying I wouldn't be able to hold him.  However each time we rehearsed the scene, he ended up doing a manoeuvre I can only liken to a dog humping it's owners leg.   We were in hysterics.  And once something has set us off... it's hard to get us back!

This carried through to today's rehearsals... where we have another little caper to work on.... this one with most of the cast.  We have tricks, acrobatics and lots of tomfoolery!  We were all having a lovely time, but Gerry has ensured that this hilarity will transfer over to the audience.  We've already had the best of times rehearsing and we haven't even touched the second act.

Josie is great to work with.  Very professional and very funny.  She's coming up with lots of suggestions which all adds to the fun.  It's such a joy to work with such a comic actress - she seems to love playing, which is what panto rehearsal need.  She's got some pipes on her as well.  She has a great number with our Prince... my mucka Peter Dukes, which I think may just bring the house down.

The Guildford audiences always seem to savour the moments where they are directly addressed and included in the comedy... and Josie does this in spades.

I can't sign off without mentioning the annual Guildford Christmas light switch on!!  It's tonight and yours truly is back up on the balcony at the Town Hall.  I'll be having a quick interview with "the PG" and then there for the countdown and switch on!  I loved it last year - so I'm hoping lots of you will turn out, if you can to see us!  I'll try and gets some piccies!!

Happy Countdown to Christmas everyone!!

JB x  

Doughnuts and Coffee and Soup! Oh My!

Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness.

{Maharishi Mahesh Yogi} 

Well here we are again.  First day of the first week of the process!  It's fantastic to be back in the space, and seeing all those familiar faces.  Laughter, chatter and plenty of hugs and kisses are obligatory before we get down to work.

I must point out that despite my prior ecxitement, because of my chattering, I did miss out on the main doughnut selection process.  No gooey, messy ball of cream for me... I had to make do with a plain old Jam Dog-nut!  Although... considering that I've been living off soup and vegetables for the past couple of weeks... I need to fit into Jamie's costumes remember... a bit of sugar was welcomed!

The first read through went fantastically.  There was lots of laughter from around the table and chemistry was already clear between certain characters. Josie Lawrence (our evil Queen) and Kit (her Henchman) really brought the script to life.  Having a shared history in improv and comedy - I think the Guildford audience are in for a real treat.  They bounced off each other perfectly - and it was only the read through.

I'm really excited to work on the scenes with PG and Ray.  We have a few extra little surprises for the audience this year.  We've taken everything that people love about the Arnaud pantomime and squeezed as much of that in as we can.  Hopefully a laugh a minute and very messy!

I won't go into how 'the actor' feels on these first days... I've mentioned this in the past, but what I will say is that the group feels very tight this year.  There's no one slipping off into the shadows... everyone is mucking in together - all of which helps create this family feel, on and off stage. 

It's great, of course to have Gerry Tebbutt and Jill Francis at the helm again.  You can tell everyone feels in safe hands.  I should point out also that this is Gerry's 40th pantomime, so of course a very special one for him and so too for us, as he is so respected by all the familiar faces and ensemble. 

Finally a little note on the aforementioned ensemble.  I say this every year I know, but we seem to have a really strong tam this year!!  The guys and girls are all delightful and full of character, which again adds to the atmosphere in th rehearsal room. The singing that I've heard sounds wonderful and the dancing looks very slick!  A credit to the good work going on at PPA.

SO... that's it!  We're off!  Back into the panto swing of things - and I couldn't be happier!

Tata for now.

JB x

The Start of the Beginning of the End.

"I'm trying to stay as calm as possible and focus one day at a time, but when reality sets in, I feel everything: anxiety, excitement, nerves, pressure and joy." Shawn Johnson

Less than one week to go.  Monday morning at 10am I'll be stood, chatting to old friends, sipping an eggnog latte and munching on my welcome doughnut.  It what dreams are made of... isn't it?

I think I've developed a reputation for myself.  A couple of people have passed comment about how they expect my Twitter activity to surge over panto; others have mentioned "Christmas gets earlier each year!  I bet you're chuffed!"  I even got a message from Davin today (our Company Manager) reminding us "we all need to be there Monday!" but he knows "I can't wait!"  Do people think I actually enjoy Panto or something?!  Let me assure you all now, it's a lie, merely part of the festive act!  Hmm?

I've been having a lovely time the past week.  Sorting everything our for my blog, reading through the script, updating websites, learning lines and researching jokes and one liners - ever eager to increase my back catalogue.  If we get a heckler again this year, I'm determined to be more than capable of retort.

My finger has been on the pulse, keeping up to date with all the panto news from around the country, watching interviews, promo videos and sifting out all the gossip.  A later post will give my run down.  I've even found time to squeeze in 3 adult pantos - but rest assured that material wont be repeated at the Arnaud.

I have also been thinking this week  about something my Mom said.  My ol'dear made a fair point that you can't "live for Panto" all the time.  In fact I've realised that I probably spend half the year wishing my life away just to reach Christmas. Unless you're working as part of a production company or writing scripts full time there has to be a switch off point.  Doesn't there?  Think, end of the football season or the season finale of "Game of Thrones!"

On Monday, the end of Panto begins.  Considering I wait all year for this festive period, in comparison it is over in the blink of an eye.  Two weeks rehearsals fly by.  As does the tech week.  The fortnight before Christmas is gone in a flash and before we know it we're closing, and the long wait begins again.   And that is why I get so excited about it - because it's a time that has to be enjoyed whilst you can.  

Yes I'll be tweeting a lot.  Yes I'll be posting festive photo's every other day of tinsel and Christmas jumpers.  And yes, I will be having the time of my life.  We all in life have to make the most of situations.  Enjoy every minute of everyday, the best we can, whatever we're doing!!  And that is what I plan to do this Panto season.  And the next one... and the next one... and the many to follow after that!!

God forbid I end up in an Easter or Summer Panto - you lot wouldn't get a break!

Night all...

JB
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