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| Photo by Simon Annand (C) 2013 |
Written By Alex Bird
Coming back to start rehearsals
again was great, it was amazing to see the whole cast back together again for
one last run at The National. After a congratulatory applaud from everyone for
getting so far and a quick catch up we got to work. The new National Theatre
space, The Shed, works on a thrust meaning it’s a lot more intimate and
stripped back so a lot of the set would not come with us to The National. This
also meant everything had to be re-blocked for the new stage. The challenge
seemed daunting, having to re-work a show we were so used to minus the set; it
was hard to imagine what the finish product would be. We are now closer to the
show date than ever and the show feels at its best. The thrust stage means more
reason to move and explore, which we didn't have the luxury of before. Also, by
Jonathan Harvey ‘s wishes, we changed a few things we set before making the
whole play feel more fresh and exciting. Truly this will be the best
performance yet.
The National is really a space
actor’s dream of performing in and with this being my second time taking part
in connections, being here is all the more exciting. I even remember my director
from Gargantua (By Carl Grose) saying two years ago “Even I haven’t been to The National”
showing what a big deal it is. I think for myself it didn't sink in as quickly
as it did for others. My big realisation was having Jonathan Harvey, The
National and The Press coming down to see the show all come together. I really
got to see how lucky we are to be where we are and how they cared for our show
like they would any other professional show, it was a nice feeling as well as
an eye opener to how big the project is. Quoting from The National I expect
getting to the theatre will be like a military operation, everything planned
and ready so it runs smoothly, but it will also be incredible standing on that
stage for the first time and taking it all in.
I have really enjoyed being a
part of the show, working with a professional director and being back at Lost
has been so exciting for me. What I most looked forward to with this play was
the challenge of playing a gay character in the modern day and staging the
fight scenes. Both of these new challenges have really helped me grow as an
actor, amongst other experiences in this process. I had mixed emotions about
the fight scene. I was always excited to try stage combat for the first time
but as the victim of the assault I was always worried of possibly being hurt.
Funnily enough it was I that did most the damage by not falling properly, which
showed me how safe everything was and I didn't need to worry, but after a
little more help from our fight director the scene was soon one of the best in
the show. What I did find difficult was realising some faults in my speech and
movement that needed work, but I am hugely grateful as I am able to grow and
improve from leaving this show with knowledge of how to articulate and work in
a space. I could go on and on about how challenging this play was but with each
challenge was a success and I hope that will come across in our final
performance.
With only a week to go I can only
hope that this will lead me on to more discoveries into myself as an actor, but this experience has really helped me realise my
potential and what I can achieve if I work hard enough for it.
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