Last Sunday we held our company call for our 102nd large-scale show.
Seven different Theatretrain companies have been rehearsing since February and on this day they met for the first time and ran through the show in a school theatre with a marked-out floor and sound equipment. They had three hours to perform and listen to notes.
This being Theatretrain they spend one act of the show in the choir where they have to sing 13 numbers and make dramatic moves for another 4. They learn the songs at home and blend them during rehearsal. That takes some doing but hopefully, they can feel the enthusiasm of their friends around them who are doing the same thing – and it spurs them on. At this rehearsal, they meet Robert who conducts and guides them through each song.
The show is called Once Upon a Time and each company has a familiar fairy story to which they give a twist of their own. In this act, they have 15 minutes to tell their story. They have 4 songs sung by the choir and a piece of film music to add atmosphere. They may use special props and costumes and add narration or speaking parts.
Whether they are singing or dancing or acting they are storytellers – that’s their job. It’s a great day. They usually arrive excited and noisy so we start the first number and they instantly settle into line, sing or perform or stand quietly and watch. As performers, they know they must be disciplined about what they do and they learn to respect the performance space. They know that they have to make space for other people as well as themselves. After all a big show only works when they all realise that everyone is important and has a job to do.
One of the things I have always loved about Theatretrain is the way they watch and support each other. Invariably they cheer loudly and generously applaud the efforts of other people they do not know. And they are pretty good at recognising when something is extra special – they cheer even more.
When they go home after the rehearsal they know several important things. How it all fits together and how many other people are involved. They find out the bits that went well as well as those that need extra practice. So on show day they are ready for action and know how to fit what they do with everyone else.
I wish all the performers a fantastic success at Sadler’s Wells Theatre next Sunday. You deserve it!
