The final performance as part of the RSC Opens Stages project was
in the splendid surroundings of the Gaiety Theatre. A beautiful 900 seat theatre designed by Frank Matcham, the famed theatre architect, and based in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
We all arrived on Easter Sunday evening and plonked our stuff off
at the digs and went for a walk round Douglas. Then at 10 we headed for the
theatre and our get in. To see the faces of the newbies as the tabs open is
always a treat.” we are performing in this theatre?” the looks seem to say!
Monday saw us at the theatre all day for our tech and dress. Having performed the play seven times previous meant we had a slick production already. We could also be a bit bolder with our lighting design and this allowed us to have a Sicilian glowing sun as a backdrop! The audience of 500 odd was the biggest of the festival and this certainly gave us confidence. A tight final show with Steve and Fenella as Benedick and Beatrice really rising to the challenge and winning over the audience alongside strong presence fromBecky’s Hero and Jamie’s Claudio.
We spent the rest of the week exploring the Isle of Man before the Friday night awards. Becky and Jamie won for their acting performances and a comedy award for the ‘gulling’ scenes which was particularly pleasing as a lot of hard work and imagination had gone into them!
Back to reality and now into another local festival in June with another new one act play. Thanks ‘Much Ado’ for a great experience and a great company who bonded throughout