The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps is an adaptation of the Hitchcock thriller performed with just four actors. The main part, Richard Hannay is played by the same actor all the way through but the other actors play multiple parts. The play, adapted by Patrick Barlow, is based on the 1935 Hitchcock film which was itself based on (although differs from) John Buchan's novel.

I had a chat with co-directors Dan Clarke and Steph Weller before their rehearsal on Thursday. They described the complexity of the show, there are 50 different costumes and 70 - 90 props. There are also various technical challenges like how to stage a chase along a moving train. The script apparently gives a few ideas but then just tells the director to do it however they like. They showed me a detailed scale model of the set including doors and windows on wheels, a pull out fireplace and a bedroom that revolves to become a reception. The cast and crew have only just got access to the theatre after the end of Blackbird so the challenge over the next three weeks is to transform all these great ideas into reality.

I don't know what is going on in this photo but it looks interested.

The stage management is going to be a vital part of this play, in fact it is so complex that two stage managers are needed each night one each side of the stage both with an assistant. They will need to know where and when actors are coming off stage what costumes changes they will need and what props. They will also need to help the actors make some quick costume changes. I'm already booked to go back on at the weekend - I want to interview Tony who is doing the props I hear there are some interesting stories about the sourcing of the props.

The 39 Steps has been chosen as a 'Third Thursday' event by local arts group Jelly. You can buy a ticket for the first night (17th November) from Jelly, they cost £10 (no booking fee) including a free drink, a talk from the directors and a chance to meet the artist exhibiting in the foyer. See the Jelly website for more details.

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Coming up -

Second auditions for Art by Yasmina Reza  Sunday 30th October at 4pm

The 39 Steps by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow 17th-26th Nov 2011

6th Annual WriteFest 8th - 10th December 2011

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

Blackbird - hanging blinds and other strange activities

 I didn't make it to the rehearsal on Wednesday but I was there in time to hear the notes from the director and have a chat with the cast and crew about how things are going. Photographer Mandy King was there too and kindly sent me a photo of the blinds being hung last weekend.

The blinds go all round the stage and extend slightly into the auditorium to create the impression of a single space. As you can see from the photo they were quite fiddly to but together. Being involved in a production you often find yourself doing unexpected things like constructing office blinds. For example last night  producer Helen Coleman was busy cutting burger buns from a piece of sponge.

I enjoy listening to director's giving notes to actors, you often hear things that are perfectly normal to everyone involved but to an outsider sound frankly bizarre. Last night's gem was "When you've got a decent wet patch on your shirt show it off"

Blackbird runs from Monday to Saturday next week so come along and see if you can spot the burger buns and the wet patch.


There is a good article about the production in this week's getreading

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. 


Coming up -

Blackbird by David Harrower 17th - 22nd October 2011

Auditions for Art by Yasmina Reza Wednesday 26th October 7.30pm or Sunday 30th October at 4pm

39 Steps by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow 17th-26th Nov 2011

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

Blackbird Rubbish

No this is not a prediction of the reviews! Part of the stage setting for this production is litter is scattered on the floor and this always presents a dilemma. You want it to look convincingly like the sort of wrappers and fast food containers people might drop, but on the other hand you don't want a load of smelly, unhygienic rubbish lying about.

Blackbird rehearsal - if you look carefully you can just see some rubbish in the bottom on the photo

The solution is to collect clean rubbish and to buy some foil take-away containers that can be crumpled up to look realistic but don't fill the theatre with the smell of old curry. If you are up at the theatre over the next week there is a box in the kitchen to collect any suitable litter you might have.

The set of Blackbird is designed to give the impression that the audience are in the same room as the actors. To enhance this feeling some litter scattered around the auditorium as well. This might be one production where you can get away with dropping your sweet papers on the floor.




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. 


Coming up -





Auditions for Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Sunday 9th Oct 2.30pm or Wednesday 12th October 7.30

Blackbird by David Harrower 17th - 22nd October 2011

Auditions for Art by Yasmina Reza Wednesday 26th October 7.30pm or Sunday 30th October at 4pm





39 Steps by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow 17th-26th Nov 2011

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

Sounds of Blackbird

I gatecrashed a rehearsal of Blackbird on Sunday afternoon. When I arrived the actors were already outnumbered by observers including the director, production manager, stage manager and sound designer. The people you see on stage during a production are a small fraction of the people involved in making it a success.
 
One of these unseen workers is Mike Brand who is designing the sound and lighting for Blackbird. He certainly looked the part of the sound engineer on Sunday - compete with headphones and recording equipment.

During a break in the rehearsal he explained that he had pre-recorded some sound effects and was listening to them while watching the action to check that they sounded right in context.

As well as the 'realistic' sounds like phones ringing Mike is planning to include voice montages at the beginning and end of the show. He recorded the first read through of the play and now has over ninety snippets of speech  that he is hoping to interweave into an interesting sound effect.    


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. 

Coming up -



Auditions for WriteFest  Sunday 25th September or 2.30pm at Progress Theatre

Auditions for Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Sunday 9th Oct 2.30pm or Wednesday 12th October 7.30

Blackbird by David Harrower 17th - 22nd October 2011

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

Proof press night

On Friday Progress Theatre held a press preview night for our latest production, Proof. The cast performed in front of a small invited audience including press, theatre members who had been involved with the production or who are away during the main run and, of course, Progress Blog.

The evening was run as if it were a normal production - including opening the bar. Producer Chris Moran explained that they had planned the rehearsal schedule from the start with the aim of being performance ready for the press night. They will still have a final dress rehearsal on Sunday night to give them a last chance to iron out any wrinkles.

Lauren Gilbert and Anna Bristow as sisters Clarie and Catherine

During the interval I chatted to Liz Crosthwaite, entertainments editor at the Reading Chronicle. She normally concentrates on music and this will be the first play she has reviewed for Progress. She seemed to be enjoying it but we'll have to wait and see what she says in her review.

I certainly enjoyed it and the rest of the audience seemed to be. There were even a few discretely wiped away tears at the end! The main run starts on Monday 12th and runs until the Saturday.


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. 

Coming up -

Proof  by David Auburn September 12th - 17th 2011

Auditions for WriteFest  Sunday 25th September or 2.30pm at Progress Theatre

Auditions for Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Sunday 9th Oct 2.30pm or Wednesday 12th October 7.30

Blackbird by David Harrower 17th - 22nd October 2011

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