Moonlight an Magnolias and an extra production

The theatre was pretty quiet for the Sunday before the start of a run. Normally there would be a final dress rehearsal but the cast and crew of Moonlight and Magnolias have been given the day off. The only people there were stage manager Fiona McNeil and director Liz Carrol putting finishing touches to the set.

Liz assured me that cancelling the final dress rehearsal wasn't over confidence. The cast were definitely ready as they had a press night last Thursday that was at full performance standards. Her only concern had been if any of the technical team needed more time but they all said they were good to go so everyone was given the day off.

The did tell me some exciting news though, co-director Matt Stevens had a production of his own. His wife Nikki gave birth to their first child, Polly, on Friday at the Royal Berks. Matt had popped into the theatre briefly on Sunday but assured me he was on his way straight back to the hospital! He told me that Polly weighed 7lb 14oz and, of course, is lovely.

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Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson Monday 11th – Saturday 16th November 2013, Progress Theatre

Progress Youth Theatre, An Absurdist Double Bill Monday 9th – Saturday 14th December 2013, Progress Theatre

Details of all our productions and auditions can be found on our website.

Moonlight, Magnolias and Peanuts

The audition notices for Moonlight and Magnolias included the comment that being in the play would not be suitable for actors suffering from peanut allergies. Peanuts feature heavily in the script - the actors eat them, use them as weapons and generally leave them scattered around the stage.

The other food the actors get to eat a lot of during the show is bananas. Old banana skins are also scattered around the stage.

Director Liz Carroll looks on while actor Alison Hill displays their collection of aged banana skins



Some of the food mentioned in the script doesn't have to be eaten on stage so can be made to last longer. Cream cheese bagels have been made by varnishing real bagels and filling them with white plaster.

 

 

Liz said that she has a problem-solving cast and crew, when you come to watch the play see if you can spot the problem they successfully solved using fox's glacier mints.

If you are interested in what goes on at Progress Theatre then sign up to this blog. Enter your email in the box under ‘about us’ and click on subscribe. New postings are made weekly so you won’t be swamped with emails.

Auditions for Trainspotting by Harry Gibson, adapted from the book by Irvine Welsh, Wednesday 6th November at 7.30pm or Sunday 10th November 2013 at 2.30pm, Progress Theatre

Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson Monday 11th – Saturday 16th November 2013, Progress Theatre

 

Progress Youth Theatre, An Absurdist Double Bill Monday 9th – Saturday 14th December 2013, Progress Theatre 

 

Details of all our productions and auditions can be found on our website.