Rehearals 25/11/11

The Devil and the Soldier about to play a fateful game of cards

The Soldier and Princess during Valtz

The Soldier awakening the Princess

The Devil's Dance

It was great to catch up with rehearsals today to give a really positive and exciting end to the week. It is amazing how far they have come in what seems like such a little amount of time. It is difficult with the limited space to truly explore the potential of the ocean room space until we are actually in there but I think when doing so it will look fantastic. I know Doug has been playing with the action and the Pros arch and for the most part action begins within the Pros then spills into the space which I really love and intended it tobe used. It feels as it the story is being pulled out of the theatre and into life!

The dances look fantastic and in the skirt toile the movement of the fabric is just spectacular, I can't wait to see her in her regal entireity. The Devil also will look decadent in her final entrance in costume and cape. As for the coat they were using for the cattle merchant that we found in the store I think actually looks great - not only historical and in character but it fits both Rhiannon and Josh well which works when she forces him to wear it. 

I spoke with Doug and Pete about the possibility of the Devil being revealled through Gauze at the back of the Theatre as the violinist. This may work as the masking walls may be made from Gauze anyway in which case she can hide behind the back wall otherwise an alternative solution may need to be formulated. Another thought I had watching the positioning of the block that having hand holes/ disguising them as crates so they are easier to manouver about. Doug was happy with my butterfly I just need to experiment with wire to attach it to to make it flutter!

The best thing about watching rehearsal was that it allowed Grace and I to time the places where the Devil is off stage and which we have to perform costume changes, which are as follows:

Old Man into Cattle Merchant - 7 minutes

Cattle Merchant into Clothes Woman - 4 minutes

Clothes Woman into Virtuoso Violinist - 6.5 minutes

Violinist into Devil - 8.5 minutes

Devil to add cape - 5.4 minutes

I am happy with these change times although they will still need to be fast they are within a comfortable time bracket, especially the Devil's final costume which is the most tricky as it will involve the leotard, bodice, yolk and headdress.

Reflection:
The production seems clearer and clearer as the acting progresses and witnessing the rehearsal really helped me visualise what they will be doing in, and their interaction with their costumes. It means Grace and I can start to anticipate any problems with costumes, especially in the Devil's case with writhing on the floor and her dance like, creepy movements. Estimating the time has been the greatest help as I now have a clearer vision of how we will perform changes and arrange things backstage for an efficient change and smooth performance.