Black Bird Auditions

Auditions for Black Bird  by David Harrower are being held at the theatre on Sunday 17th July at 6pm and Tuesday 19th July at 7.30pm.

Tony in his Sunday best

The director is Tony Wernham whose last production was Blue/Orange by Joe Penhall in 2007. The two plays have some similarities in that they are both about serious subjects and have very small casts, only two in the case of Black Bird. I asked Tony about the appeal of small cast plays and he admitted that it is mostly a question of logistics. With a small cast you can organise the rehearsal schedule around the commitments of the actors but with a large cast there is always someone who can't make the dates suggested.

As a director Tony feels that the look of a production is very important. He is particularly interested in the lighting. He doesn't think that stage plays should strive for realism, that can be left to films, but the lighting can add visual interest and symbolism. He is also thinking of using imaginative soundscapes during the play as an alternative to music. He likes to give the technical people he is working with on a production full rein to develop their own ideas.

Tony is very busy at the moment working on marketing for The Tempest, Progress's outdoor Shakespeare production. When I spoke to him about this post he was on holiday in the Lake District but still sending out emails to the press. So if you aren't auditioning for Black Bird you can still make Tony happy by booking your ticket for The Tempest!



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Auditions for Black Bird by David Harrower Sunday 17th July at 6pm and Tuesday 19th July 2011 at 7.30pm at Progress Theatre

Open air production The Tempest by William Shakespeare 23rd - 30th July 2011 Caversham Court Gardens

See Progress Theatre website for details of all our productions and auditions.