C=O proudly presents "Rapunzel"

OK, I'll 'fess up. It's only half written as yet. And we're still not 100% sure we'll get our regular venue. But there's a key production meeting tomorrow night, and I'm optimistic that things will move forward from thereon.

So this will be the seventh, and final, year in a row where I will have written the annual pantomime for our merry band of players. First time up it was a collaborative effort, but since then it's been all my own work - well, apart from the stuff I nick from other sources: obviously!

For anyone who isn't aware the shows, which are always performed in the first half of January, have been:

2004 Robin Hood
2005 Snow White
2006 Cinderella
2007 Treasure Island
2008 Puss In Boots
2009 Aladdin
2010 Rapunzel.

It was a great pleasure for me that a group of Wrinklies braved snow, and sub-zero temperatures, to watch the Aladdin Saturday matinee. And for anyone who hasn't seen it, here's a clip from the Friday night performance of the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR1ctFr9U5I

Anyway, I've started and I sincerely hope I'll finish. In discussions with fellow Wrinklies, I've often said how for me the writing process isn't a straight forward thing of beginning at the start, and finishing at the end. Rather, it's more like a jigsaw - you get the edges sorted (in my case the opening and closing scenes) and then construct it as best fits around characters that are alive within my head. So this year I have so far written.

Act 1. Scenes 1, 3, 4, 5
Act 2. Scenes 1, 3, 6, 7

Which still leaves 1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.2, 2.4 & 2.5 to go. Blimey that sounds like a lot! But I'm enjoying it, because this story is very rarely, if ever, performed as a panto, which opens almost limitless possibilities script wise.

I'll shut up now - but before I go, here's the logo for Rapunzel which was delivered to me this very afternoon.

*wanders in munching popcorn and waiting with bated breath for the opening muzac*

Jennyjenkins wrote:*wanders in munching popcorn and waiting with bated breath for the opening muzac*

*does the same, finds his seat*

Blimey, such enthusiasm already!

If things go according to plan the Overture will be a reorchestrated version, from 2:00 to 3:07, of this wonderful piece of music.

I have to say we've already had quite a few changes in the music. The MD & I have had a couple of meetings, and I reckon 4 of the 10 pieces are different to what they were in the plan.

So what music are you currently thinking of using???

You want Spoilers?????

What I will say, for now, is the songs that have been dropped include "Songs of Love" by The Divine Comedy, "Shining Light" by Ash and, much to my regret, "Sowing the Seeds of Love" by Tears For Fears - for a long time I'd planned this to be the finale, but it went a few weeks ago.

So what is in there? Well I'll name just two. Our opening number is "A Comedy Tonight" from A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Forum", while in the second half there is a version of "I Left My Heart" that you just won't believe! I'm aiming for the last 40 minutes or so to be something very, very special.

The script is very slowly, but surely, getting there. Two scenes left to write, although they are the two biggest scenes. And I'll need a couple of weeks for re-writes once they're completed - never been this late before!

I have another meeting with the MD on Thursday night, and then there's a full Production meeting 2 weeks later. Trouble is at the moment we haven't got confirmation of the venue, and rehearsals need to start in less than 6 weeks. So it's all a bit up in the air at the moment, which may help explain why my motivation isn't as great as it has been in the past.

2 weeks on and I haven't made any further progress with the script. Tonight's meeting should probably provide me with the momentum I need, although AFAIK the venue still isn't confirmed, and won't be till next month at the earliest.

The meeting went well, and we're ploughing ahead even given the situation I previously described. I'd better get the bloody script finished now!

Show dates are set as 7th, 8th & 9th January. Mrs C=O will be directing, as I want to tread the boards in a certain role one, last time.

Although rehearsals started on 13th September, I've been very quiet (publicly at least!) on the panto front for a long time.

I've just returned from an emergency meeting, where it was confirmed that the Council, who now own GSK Leisure Club, have said we can't use the venue.

However, we have been beavering away behind the scenes for a long time with a back-up plan, and that is now going to be implemented. So hoepfully it'll be all systems go from the middle of the week. And it needs to be, as opening night is exactly 2 calendar months away and we have even got tickets etc printed yet.

So publicity should crank up several notches this week, and I'll provide more info as soon as I'm allowed.

Right, our venue is now confirmed. Oldfield Primary School, which is directly opposite last years venue!

A lot of logisitcal hurdles to be overcome, and the capacity looks like being 120 instead of the 165 we squeezed in for Aladdin. But we'll get there.

Anyone interested? If it helps, I'm playing Dame for one final time.

We had an excellent rehearsal yesterday afternoon. About a dozen of the *key* characters. There was some seriously good stuff going on.

I've been to the venue twice now. Lots of things for the technical team to sort out, I'm leaving it to them. The biigest problem, to my mind, is that the stage will be 3 1/2 feet shallower.

...maybe just spill out into the audience?


I can see how this could be a problem - your scripts are always very, very deep - never shallow. Hope it works out.

konstantin wrote:your scripts are always very, very deep - never shallow.

i'll be there! 8th or 9th...?

The matinee on Saturday 9th is completely sold out barnaby. Tickets for Friday night or Saturday night still available. If you have a choice, I'd defeinitely go for the Saturday!

Ah, bugger. That'll teach me not to visit for a couple of days over the Christmas/New Year period. Louise and I were hoping to get some matinee tickets as I don't know whether we'll be able to get back from West London with an evening performance. What time is Rapunzel likely to finish, C=O?

By 9.45pm Lee. Greenford Station is 5 minutes walk away.

The get-in started today. Hopefully have a couple of photos soon - if they get emailed to me anyway! Show week starts tomorrow with a 4 1/2 hour technical rehearsal from 3pm onwards. Costumes are behind schedule, we're in them from Monday onwards.

Will there be a DVD this year?

Indeed there will.

A couple of photos hot off the press from today's technical rehearsal. We start in costume tomorrow.

Thanks for the pics.

Would you kindly place my customary order, sir?

Yes Ma'am.

For those who are not aware, that's Urban Herbivore on the left in the first photo. She's playing "Funky Claude".

It's proving to be a very stressful week. Some of the cast performances haven't been good enough, the technical side has been far from smooth, the logistical challenges provided by the new venue are considerable and, to top it off, the weather is now giving us major headaches.

Full Dress Rehearsal tonight - no idea how many cast & crew will turn up.

Oh dear! I hope it goes reasonably smoothly tonight Tony, and you have enough people coming along.

The Co=Ordinator wrote:It's proving to be a very stressful week. Some of the cast performances haven't been good enough, the technical side has been far from smooth, the logistical challenges provided by the new venue are considerable and, to top it off, the weather is now giving us major headaches.

Full Dress Rehearsal tonight - no idea how many cast & crew will turn up.

good luck tony- i don't think i'll be able to make it now which is a shame - have to work at the weekend and the weather's not helping. hope it goes well and see you at the next wrinkly drinklies.