WEEK 5
BATH
(The team, less Siobhan who was on the dance floor...)
Bath is a town almost too perfect, indeed so perfect that even her imperfections seem perfectly proportioned. The never ceasing hills- which don't go up- they only go 'down', the new high street by the station which although full of the usual chain shops- has been so carefully deigned that the new birck-work of their facade blends in like a pastel hue with the rest of the Georgian buildings.
The theatre is one of the crown jewels of the town, an original and working Georgian theatre, with back stage dressing rooms that cannot be equalled- where audiences sit in beautifully upholstered chairs and front of house staff greet you in their finery. It is a nice place to spend a week, even better to bring a show- or in our case- two shows.
(Bath Theatre Royal)
Monday was significant as it saw the arrival of Paul, or 'Bouche' as he has become known. Paul is taking over from Mike as our Company Stage Manager. Not unheard of, it is still a little strange for such a key position to change mid tour, but owing to Mike and Paul's busy schedule it transpired that switch we must and further more we would have to do a changeover week- and Bath would be it. Bouche had just left a company of another touring show and came to join us for the Get-in and introduce himself to the show and the rest of the company. I imagine it can't be easy joining a group who have spent the past 6 weeks together on a show he had never seen, but you wouldn't have known it. He cemented his place in the team by proffering a large round in the 'Garricks Head' after the first night and never looked back.
I've spoken before of the trials touring companies have adapting to new theatres, Bath is a much more intimate space, although deceptively large with nigh on 850 seats- yet sitting in the auditorium, even at the back of the velveteen circle- you feel very close to the action. I think the whole cast enjoyed the proximity of a larger audience, hugely attentive to very nuance and beat within the play. It maybe took a show to get used to, but by the end of the week the shows were flying- and audiences laughing uproariously. In short it was a joy.
(Paul (Bouche) and Zac outside 'the place on a hill that was always open)
The audience seemed to give the cast a further shot of adrenaline through the week as decisions and characters became bolder, the play more dexterous, fleet footed and indeed quicker. It never ceases to amaze how much our audiences and the buildings that hold them effect the show- sometime for the good, sometimes for the bad- Bath and Shaffer fitted like a glove and our company relished every minute of it. The shows grew with the audiences.
(The action man of British theatre ZACHARY...in action at the props table)
Wednesday saw the celebrated return of Charlie (taking up the reins of the blog next week!), who ambled through stage door to a very warm welcome. It was like our little team was whole again as he immediately got to work seeking out his all important backstage chair and getting his bear hug from resident giant Zachary.
(Rupert and Steven are very excited to see Charlie again, who is also excited)
Yet after the matinee we were to be bereft again as Mike left us, his very swift handover to Paul now complete- we had saw him off with a drink in the pub on Tuesday night- but before we knew it we passed on a few hugs and Mike- our CSM who steered us through rehearsals, technical rehearsals, opening nigh and a trip over the Irish sea was gone. Missed but not forgotten- we are hoping we will see him before the tour sees out it's days come mid November.
(Steven's dressing room door!.
.. might be running short of pictures this week)
Wednesday also saw our first pre show chat with audience members, run by the Bath Theatre Royal institution that is Ann Meddowes- who has seen a generation of actors and plays pass through the doors of the theatre. Ann expertly guided Stephen, Rupert and myself through a fascinating (or relatively interesting) and we hope insightful (at times) journey into the process of staging the plays, performing them and indeed experiencing them. I
The other major arrival, and shame on me for not mentioning it sooner, was the arrival of 'The Goose'. This is not for those familiar to the Birdsong blog- the estimable Liam McCormick, but rather the arrival of Jasper's newest and shiniest motorcycle. It is very attractive, very fast (I think), very loud (I know) and shipped all the way from Italy. The Goose was proudly on display outside stage door, indeed Jasper departure into the Bath night was always accompanied by the Goose's roar. So welcome also to The Goose who I believe is to you our merry touring company for the next few weeks.
(The Goose at leisure)
Other news involved a trip by Rupert, Siobhan and myself to the Bath Thermae Spa on Friday afternoon (4pm-6pm to be exact). Which maybe wasn't the best time for it, full of 'relaxing couples', everywhere you looked. Accustomed to our large and palatial dressing rooms, suddenly we were met with pools full to brimming with bodies 'relaxing'. Now personally I find this 'relaxing' rather hard work. Granted the roof top pool had a nice view, but surrounded by fellow bodies 'relaxing' it was surprisingly difficult to actually 'relax'. Indeed there was no activity to accompany any 'relaxation'. We had a two hour pass, but despite a visit to the restaurant I managed only 1 hr and 20 minutes and left more stressed than I had arrived having drawn the conclusion that 'relaxing' is not an activity in it's own right. For those in Bath and with £26 in loose change, it can sort of be recommended, but not on a Friday afternoon and not without a waterproof games console or book. Rupert scored highest on relaxing skills and lasted the longest and congratulations must be proffered.
And so to the verdant Green Hills of Malvern we ambled on Sunday to the sounds of the 70's on radio 2 and from where Charlie will take back up the reins of the blog and guide you through to it's safe conclusion in Ipswich.
Adios. Mea Culpa.
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