C=O presents "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

It progresses in a most pleasing fashion.

The weather has, ineitably, thrown many spanners into our pantomimesque works. However things were happening right up to last night and I thought it may be an eye opener to show just how much preparation goes into a little am dram show. I reckon the following couple of emails from this morning provide a pretty good illustration.

Subject: Panto 2011 - the setup.......

Hi Folks,

The story so far….

The stage is setup, the scaffolders have been and all the bars etc are in the required places. A white ‘skirting’ has been put around the stage base to hide the underneath. Plus the school speakers have been moved to in-front of the main Green-Tabs.

Curtain rails have been delivered (items 4 & 5 of 5), and the curtains are due to arrive today. (hopefully) Not a Scooby as to why the delivery has been split.

2x baffles have been moved into the hall, these are the ‘wall’ pieces we used last year stage left and right. These could potentially be left as ‘walls’, else we look to paint them – possibly black.

AB2 is painting the Queen’s Boudoir at the Brambles, we can then move these flats into the hall for construction. The door to the Dwarfs cottage is yet to be painted.

AN is sorting out the bed-posts, then these too will require painting.

Would like to sort a day next week to hang the curtains and complete any construction works. We also need to pin-up the Green Tabs, as these will run over the stage, owing to larger stage area this year.

Therefore would like to know people’s availability so that we can confirm the date. Tuesday 28th might be good, as there will be cast rehearsal from 4pm, and they can then have a better understanding of where everything is.

TF and I had a ‘play’ with the sounds; we have the basics working as required. We have the overhead mics ready to be rigged when the ‘Lighting Folks’ do their setup. The sound tweaking will be completed on Sunday 2nd ahead of the Tech Rehearsal.

AV is hoping to rig his lighting requirements on Saturday 1st, hence my wanting to complete the stage area beforehand if possible.

Have a great Christmas, and see you next week.

AB1




Folks,

One little issue-ette we discovered last night is that the amp we were planning to use on the stage for foldback will only accept a ¼“ mono, unbalanced, line level input. We have it “jerry rigged” at the moment whereby we’re using one of the band foldback amps as a mic pre-amp and balun – a very expensive use of the kit and, of course, means we’re a foldback short in the band.

So, does anyone have (or have access to!) something like this:-

1) A mic pre-amp able to accept a balanced XLR mono input
2) Provide a “consumer” line level output (ideally on two unbalanced ¼“ (TS) jacks)

OR

An amp that will drive AB's speakers (don’t the know spec) and will accept a mono XLR balanced mic input and offer a stereo output on XLR (AB's speakers have male XLS connectors). We could pan the input to the centre of the stereo field effectively giving us two mono channels; one for each speaker.

OR

An amp and speaker system we can use for stage foldback which will accept a mono XLR balanced mic feed and output to two speakers; one SR and one SL.

TF


And here's a couple of photos from last evening.






So from next Tuesday it will be complete bedlam as we have just nine days before opening. Apart from the technical stuff listed above, we have 6 rehearsals, costumes have to be finalised and 101 other things need to happen.

I'll start posting Act 2 next week.

Blimey! My already existing admiration for you and your associates has just taken a quantum leap forwards.

How little we really appreciate the sheer effort that goes into brining us our entertainment.

And so it's off to the races. Just nine day till we open and soooooooooo much to do.


ACT TWO

Scene One

The forest. The dwarfs march proudly onto stage through the audience. They have miners’ lamps on their heads and carry an array of tools over their shoulders.

SONG – BAD GUYS (FROM BUGSY MALONE)

At the end of the song the dwarfs line up across the front of the stage.

All: Hello boys and girls. (Expect audience response – pretend that you cannot hear anything) We said hello boys and girls! (Expect bigger response).

Ben: That’s much better isn’t it! (Others nod in agreement)

Jen: It certainly is boys and girls.

Hen: Welcome to our special part of the forest.

Len: Where we have a little cottage.

Den: Where virtually no-one knows we exist.

Pen: And we manage to dig out a living.

Dave: Dig, dig, hahahaha! Good one! (Others look disapprovingly at Dave).

Ben: Look, let’s introduce ourselves: I’m Benjamin, known as Ben. (Waves)

Jen: Hello everyone, and I’m Jenny, also known as Jen. (Curtseys)

Hen: (Coyly) I’m Henrietta, but you can call me Hen. (Giggles).

Len: (Gruffly) My name is Len because – that’s what it is!

Den: (Boldly) Me, I’m Den, short for Denise.

Pen: Penny, otherwise known as Pen, at your service (bows).

Dave: (Scratching his head) And my name is……ummmmmm…..ooh I’ve forgotten.

Others: (All pointing at Dave) Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave.

Dave: Oh yes sorry – Dave!

Ben: And in case you forget, just look at the letter on your clothes.

Dave: Letter? We ever get any letters. I blame the Royal Mail cutbacks because the postman never delivers here!

Jen: No Dave, the big letter D that is on the front of your tunic.

Dave looks at the letter on his tunic – because he’s looking at it upside down he cannot recognise it.

Dave: Well it doesn’t look like a D to me!

Hen: (Going across to Dave) That’s because you’re looking at it upside down silly!

Dave: (Pulling a silly face) Ooooh sorry!

Len: You see boys and girls – Dave thinks he’s a dwarf like the rest of us, and we haven’t got the heart to tell him that he’s not.

Den: So we sort of let him hang around with us, but he does have his uses you know.

Pen: Yes, such as reaching up into the trees and picking fruit for us to eat.

Dave: Did someone mention food? I’ll have a deep pan ham and pepperoni pizza with extra mushrooms and a side order of garlic bread please.

Others: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!

Ben: Anyway right now we’re on the way back to our cottage.

Jen: Yes we’ve been working really hard all day.

Hen: Down the magic mine where we dig out lots of something called gold.

Len: Every week we leave it in a clearing where a big man called Hedrick collects it.

Den: And takes it back to The Queen.

Pen: In return he leaves us just enough food in a sack to last the week.

Dave: Did someone mention food again?

Others: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!

Ben: So as you can see, we’re not really the bad guys.

Jen: And we’re not complaining.

Hen: No not at all, I’m very happy really…..

Len: Well I think we should complain to the Ombudsman for Vertically Challenged Folk.

Den: Leave it Len, lets get back home and have our supper.

Pen: Yes indeed. Bye for now everyone.

The six wave, pick up their tools and march off through the audience to a few bars of “Bad Guys”. Dave is day dreaming looking up into the sky and gets left behind. After a few seconds, when the others have all departed, he suddenly realises, dashes to get his tools and shouts.

Dave: Wait for me! (Turns to the audience) Bye (Rushes off).

Blackout. Tabs In.

You're cooking on gas, old fellow. Great stuff!

A hard working, and fascinating, 4 hours. Two of the principals are totally underperforming and a country mile from where they need to be. Meanwhile a couple of the semi-principals are putting in blindingly good turns.

On a personal level I managed to remember most of my lines and cues!

You know. This entire production would make a fascinating "Fly-On -The-Wall", reality TV show.

You're actually right Sid, I thought this some years ago. And trust me, I only post a minute fraction of what goes on!

A couple of photos from yesterday's marathon rehearsal.

Don't Stop.



The Director deep in thought.

I bet. Great shots. Thanks, old chap.

Yes it would make a good Fly-On -The-Wall

For the past year I've been involved in the Honours nomination process for our former Producer, who stepped down following "Rapunzel" after 28 years dedicated service.

I'm therefore absolutely delighted that to say that he's been awarded an MBE. Well done, and warmest congratulations, to Jim Hunter.The man without whom Holy Cross Players wouldn't exist.

That's wonderful news, C=O.

Congratulations indeed, to Mr. Hunter.

Sid Seadevil wrote:That's wonderful news, C=O.

Congratulations indeed, to Mr. Hunter.

What Sid said, congratulations to him.

Zoltar wrote:

Sid Seadevil wrote:That's wonderful news, C=O.

Congratulations indeed, to Mr. Hunter.

What Sid said, congratulations to him.

Zoltar and Sid are quite right. What a tremendous acheivement for Mr. Hunter!

Our backcloths, which TNT were meant to deliver on 23rd December, still haven't arrived. They reckon they may be in a container in Slough, but won't provide us with any more information until Tuesday at the earliest. W*ankers!

Meanwhile the firm we hire from closed before Christmas and won't re-open until Wednesday. Urgent voicemail messages get no response. FFS fellers, it's our Tech Rehearsal tomorrow and the start of show week.

The lighting crew have been rigging today, and the sound goes in at 10am tomorrow.

Scene Two

Inside the dwarfs cottage. Lights up. In front of the cloth there are headboards each containing a dwarfs initial. Although the audience cannot properly see her, someone they presume to be Snow White is asleep on Dave’s bed. The dwarfs march back in stage right having walked up behind the screens. After a short while they step onto the very front of the stage and face the audience.

Ben: Did anyone leave the light on this morning?

All but Dave: (Shaking their heads) No….(all look at Dave)

Dave: Why do I always get the blame? I guarantee it wasn’t me. (Look for audience sympathy)

Jen: In which case I think there’s someone in here with us.

Hen: What’s that shape I can see on Dave’s bed?

Len: It might be a ghoul or a goblin.

Den: Or even worse, it might be Steve Pound ready to make his cameo appearance!

Pen: Oh dear, well we’d better sneak up on it then. Dave as it’s your bed, you go first.

Dave: That’s so unfair!

Others: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!

Dave: Ooooohhh. Very well then. (Sneaks up towards his bed.)

Others: Don’t be afraid – we’re right behind you.

Dave: Well that’s very re-assuring, I don’t think.

As Dave approaches the bed a loud yawn is heard. All the dwarfs leap back in shock. However after a few seconds they regain their nerve, and Dave once again leads the way.

Dave: Why, it’s a girl – come and look.

The others quickly join him.

Ben: She’s very pretty.

Jen: Looks like a princess to me.

Hen: Ooh. I always wanted to meet a princess.

Len: Princess or not, why is she in our cottage?

Den: Perhaps she needed shelter?

Pen: We’ll soon find out, she’s waking up!

Sleeping Beauty slowly awakens, stretches, rubs her eyes and then opens them.

Beauty: (Shocked) Oi, who are you?

Ben: Well I think we could ask the same question.

Jen: Yes, and what are you doing in our cottage?

Beauty: (Getting up from the bed) Your cottage? (Thinks) Hold on, I shouldn’t be in a cottage. I only recently pricked my finger on a spindle and should be asleep for a hundred years.

Hen: Blimey everyone, it’s Sleeping Beauty!

Len: Wrong pantomime love – so do us a favour and sling yer ‘ook. Sharpish like!

Beauty: (In a huff!) Typical. Huh!! (Exits stage right)

Den: Well that’s certainly thrown a spanner in the works.

Pen: So, where do we go from here?

Dave: Will I quite fancy a night up town. Limo there, nice meal, take in a show…………

Others: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!!!

Suddenly a banging noise is heard. It emanates from below the floor of the cottage. The dwarfs mill around confused, until suddenly a trap door pops open and up comes Snow White.

Ben: What on earth is going on?

Jen This is getting beyond a joke.

Snow White: I’m so sorry to shock you – please let me explain. I was left alone in the forest, abandoned, and had to find shelter. I was almost out on my feet when I came across your lovely little cottage, staggered in, and collapsed onto this (points at Dave’s bed) bed. I was just nodding off when some little upstart came in, kicked me out and threw me down in the cellar. I honestly don’t know how long ago that was, and I’ve only just managed to find my way out.

Hen: Oh dear, that sounds terrible you poor thing.

Len: So tell us, who are you?

Snow White: Oh, please forgive me, I am Princess Snow White

All dwarfs: (In amazement) Princess Snow White?

Den: In our humble little cottage? This is indeed an honour.

Pen: Princess, we are at your service.

Dave: Did you say my service? OK (Picks up a tennis racket and ball and serves into the wings)

Others: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave!

Snow White: There is something you could do for me.

Ben: What would that be Princess?

Snow White: Can you help me find Hedrick so that he can take me back to the Palace?

Jen: Do you mean a large lumbering hunchback called Hedrick?

Snow White: Yes I do.

Hen: Oh I don’t like him, he gives me the creeps.

Len: Yes, he’s a nasty bit of work.

Snow White: Well he said that he was bringing me all the way out here to help pick some beautiful flowers.

Den: I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.

Pen: No, I’m afraid he’s a wrong un’ alright Snow White.

Snow White: Oh dear, what a mess I seem to be in. By the way, although you know who I don’t know your names so do please tell me.

All “freeze” still except Dave , who turns earnestly towards the audience and moves front of stage.

Dave: Well ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, as you know we’ve already done the dwarfs names routine, so rather than repeat it we’ll just move seamlessly on to the next part of this scene. (All “unfreeze”)

Jen: Well what we have to do now is make sure that Snow White remains safe and out of harms’ way.

Hen: It’s a terrible state of affairs. How will she get back to the Palace?

Len: Yes, we don’t have a clue do we?

Den: We’ll work something out eventually.

Pen But until then Princess (bows), please feel at home with us.

Snow White: (Looks around at all the dwarfs.) Well thank you very much – I certainly will. By the way, did you make your beds?

Dave: No, we bought them at IKEA. (Now coyly) You know what Princess, I think you’re lovely – and I’m so pleased you’re going to be our guest!(Cue music)

Snow White: Thank you Dave – and you know what, I think we’re all going to get on really well.

SONG – BE OUR GUEST from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST


Blackout.

I've done the "character in the wrong panto gag before" (Robinson Crusoe in Treasure Island 2007) but I like it. We had Snow White pop up through the stage for the first time on Thursday night and it was really great - the audience should genuinely be caught by surprise; I certainly hope so!

I love that song! In fact I think I'll perform it now for the cat!

Wow, just what the moggy needs at 3am!

S'funny. That's exactly what Mao said...as she proceeded to claw my face off.

The Co=Ordinator wrote:For the past year I've been involved in the Honours nomination process for our former Producer, who stepped down following "Rapunzel" after 28 years dedicated service.

I'm therefore absolutely delighted that to say that he's been awarded an MBE. Well done, and warmest congratulations, to Jim Hunter.The man without whom Holy Cross Players wouldn't exist.

Well done!

The Co=Ordinator wrote:Our backcloths, which TNT were meant to deliver on 23rd December, still haven't arrived. They reckon they may be in a container in Slough, but won't provide us with any more information until Tuesday at the earliest. W*ankers!

Meanwhile the firm we hire from closed before Christmas and won't re-open until Wednesday. Urgent voicemail messages get no response. FFS fellers, it's our Tech Rehearsal tomorrow and the start of show week.

Any further forward on this?

Nope. TNT return at 7am on Tuesday. We will be chasing them.

Having gone down this morning for an hour, and then returned at 3pm, the Tech Rehearsal actually ran from 4.45 to 9.15. My, we still have an awful lot to do............

Hooray! The cloths have been located in Slough. But rather than wait for TNT to deliver them *tomorrow*, our Producer is heading down there later and collecting the buggers. Which means that we'll have a very late night, putting them up after tonight's Act Two Dress Rehearsal. But it'll be well worth it just to have the bloody things.

Ticket sales have also picked up nicely, with the Saturday 3pm show nigh on sold out, and others coming along fairly well. I expect that come Saturday, the evening show will also be very close to a full house.

Oh yes, and once again we'll be producing a DVD of the show, complete with extras. PM me for full details!

And so our Producer went to Slough and at 7.06 last night arrived with the cloths. However we only managed to hang one during the rehearsal (that went on till 11pm), so will be get in at 5pm this evening to get things sorted. Oh yes, and one of them is the wrong drape - but it's too late to do anything about it.

The band have also had to move location, so it's a bit of a mare. Which is why tonight's Full Dress Rehearsal has been put back to 8pm. It will be the only chance we get to properly run through the show before opening tomorrow night.

Good lord, that's cutting things close, old chap - but I'm sure you and the rest of the team are more than up to the challenge.