Incognito

Disclaimer: while this a personal experience, it could be read as Promotional, which, in a way, it is...

In case you missed it, my show is currently approaching the middle of its season. It's been a great ride ... most of the time. With the obligatory snags along the way, the last of them was a sudden lack of anyone able to take on the control of Lights and Sound in the Bio Box.

With no-one else to do it, once I relinquished my role as Director, I got dressed in daggy blacks and took a step inside the Bio Box. Now, it has been a while since I been in such a place and so I had a little bit to learn. Upon discovering that the sound units could not accept Burnt CDs, it was a quick trip to Dick-Smith to get some do-hickies and a power adaptor (the old one having come apart). Over $100 later, I was ready to coordinate Music, SFx and Lights.

One thing about the Bio Box (and very much dependant on the show) is that there are long moments where all you can do is watch the show, trying to make sure you don't miss your next cue. It is also (as I discovered) not just Sound and Lights. There's the Air-con, Fans, House Lights, Pre-Show "welcome" announcement, the 10 and 5 minute bells, the TV units (Green Room, SM Desk and Foyer), warning FoH 3 minutes before intermission, calling them back in again.

So there I am, left hand hovering between the Laptop and CD player, right hand resting lightly on the lighting board, watching the show and behind acutely aware of every mistake (mine included) or dropped line. Yet through it all, I find that I am still enjoying the show. You would think that after having directed the thing, I'd know it so well that I would find it repetitive. Maybe even boring.

Just shows what a great cast I have. I like to watch how they bounce off each other, how little fluctuations in their delivery can change (even subtly) the feel of a scene. We aimed for having something dynamic and unpredictable, something that was (I guess) organic. This means that every night I am seeing something new and exciting.

So it does wonders for my ego that when during intermission I overhear friends talking about what they have seen. Dressed as I am, I am only recognised by those people whom already know me. I am able to dart through the crowds, excuse myself, grab a drink before heading back to the BB. On the Sunday just gone, I was visiting the Room of Some Relief and overheard two saying rather nice things about the show.

I have even had a couple talking to me thinking I was only part of the crew (understandable) until someone else pointed out that I was the director. The credit truly goes to the cast. They all worked really hard to bring their characters to life. Even the smallest of roles. Our youngest cast member has more character in her then a number of people I have worked with in the past, and she is very much representative for the entire cast.

That being said, I also regularly check to ticket sales so as to keep the Garrick Committee (and myself + cast) informed of availability and house sizes. Well, the final Friday (18th) is just about booked solid with less than 5 seats left. The preceding Friday (11th) is almost the same with under 10 seats left. The Thursday and Saturday coming (10 and 12) have a sprinkling of seats left and there are still good seats for the Matinée (13th) and the final Thursday and Saturday (17 and 19).

Don't hold out for too long. If you are thinking about going but are waiting to hear more about it, you could miss out.

http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2008/the_admirable_crichton

Now that my secret is out, I doubt I'll be able to go incognito anymore...

EDIT: Fixed some bad typos and stuff ;-)