A 'read through' of a play is just that - a group of people get together to read the play aloud from beginning to end, but without acting it out. The first rehearsal after a play is cast is usually a read through, giving a chance for the new cast to meet each other and start to get a feel for the production.
A read through might also be used if a writer wants to test how a new play sounds. It can also be used before auditions, particularly with a less well known play, to raise awareness and interest among actors who might come to audition.
The motivation for the recent read through of The Merry Wives of Windsor was a combination of these last two points. Director Tony Wernham has worked on the play; cutting some bits and adding a prologue and inter-scene pieces (Tony is calling them interlogues ) to make the production more accessible for a modern audience. He was also hoping to interest people in coming to the auditions in early March.
The people attending were a mixture of those considering auditioning, backstage crew, curious spectators and those looking for something to do on a Sunday night. The parts where randomly allocated after each scene so that everyone had a chance to read different characters.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is the perfect play to perform in Caversham Court Gardens. There are mentions of various places in Berkshire including the only reference to Reading in a Shakespeare play. The Thames also gets a look in and, without giving anything away, will feature in the production.
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Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton, 7.45 Monday 23rd February – at Progress Theatre
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