The company first got together to watch the original 1970’s film on which the play is based. This would give the cast the opportunity to see the story as whole and perhaps give them ideas on how we would try to create the atmosphere of the horror genre. As the film went on the cast found themselves laughing away at some of the more ludicrous moments and then become silent at some of the other moments that still hold their power and have the ability to scare an audience. We then did a read-through so we could see the difference in the stage version and how we were going to try and bring the film off the screen and make it a live experience!
Working out how to stage the play did need a bit of thinking.
The film has the ability to use quick cuts and this is trickier to do in the
theatre. We are keeping the staging fairly simple with only a couple of set
pieces to suggest location. I have a feeling lighting and sound designer Chris
O’Brien will be working overtime to help the audience feel part of the story!
With the staging decided the cast did another read-through on their feet so they
could understand how the exits and entrances would work. It also gave the actors the opportunity to start to add to the script and try out some of the comedic lines and moments that owed a lot to ‘Airplane!’ ‘Alan Partridge’and dozens more influences we have called upon.
Next week sees us getting into the characters and in-depth work on the various stories that make up ‘Asylum’. Rehearsal photos and further blogs to follow…