Week 4

Cardiff was a merry time indeed. First of all just for the joy of being in a city - as opposed to a field next to a stately home. I'm learning how much of a city boy I am; finding a sort of solace in the urban buzz. The castle stands proudly in the centre of the town.

These audiences in Cardiff were so generous and vocal in their response to the story, so performing for them was very informative and instructive. I could truly sense in what moments of humour or stakes they were willing me to go further; and at other times when I was losing them.

As we were performing again the next night we could leave the stage in situ and hit the town. The company treated us to a meal and then it was to the dance floor. Steam was blown. And in the morning we were woken by full blown military parade complete with marching band. Great.

A few hours of afternoon recovery during which we had the honour of receiving a very thorough and access-all-areas tour of the castle grounds. Or more precisely the remodelled mansion tower that was built in the 18th century by the then owner; John Stuart who employed a real stoner of an architect to build him some crazy lavish, psychedelic interiors. Good show and then a cheeky little drive across the whole country to Ickworth where ended our 11 day stretch.

Where's the party at?

Batteries recharged and we set about 'Week 4' or what I could label North Wales week.

Though the first stop was in Liverpool...Speke Hall. After setting up the stage directly under the flight path for Liverpool airport we went into the house for lunch...during which time one of our stage swords was nicked! Classic Liverpudlian blaggards. Despite the occassional 747 it was a great show and I was very pleased to welcome a few members of the Chester choir that I worked with last Winter on the last play that I worked on. Lovely to see the ladies. Thanks for the Prosecco!

Then it was into Wales and to Caernarfon castle- another ruinous, fairytale of a relic. And a nice cobbled town filled with very friendly Welsh people. The evening show brought us a very special guest...H from Steps. What an (H)onour. I even got a hug from him and some hearty food that he left us.

Then Conwy Castle for which we had long been warned would be a terrible set build. We had to unload the van and carry the hefty pieces through the gift shop; around assorted tourists and then up a very steep and winding path...it was indeed mad. At least we were doing a second night there and so could leave the set and go and get drunk in local town Llandudno which had the most lavish Wetherspoons you've ever seen...The Palladium...an old converted cinema.

The next day brought an afternoon of frivolous crazy golf at the top of a tor. Then it was over to a very small village called Nat Clwyd for a smallish show in a back garden before a stupidly long drive home to London. Got in at 4.15am. Classic.

All hail JP God of Wind

Another day another Castle

Week 1-2-3

It's been quite a while since I've managed to find the time to write.

All of my free time (when not eating, sleeping or staring blankly in fatigue) has been recently absorbed by the task of writing invitation emails (to directors and casting directors and the like) for our upcoming London show.

#blankfatigue

So, the last post was written around the time of Show 4. We are now on Show 16! I feel a little daunted at the prospect of trying to do justice for the journey of the last couple of weeks. I won't try to be exhaustitive...let's just see what comes out.

The rest of that opening week passed with a continued focus on learning to be efficient in packing up and packing down the set and further finding our feet in performance. Show 4 was another castle... Chepstow...a beautiful Lord of the Rings affair, set on the high banks of a river. As we set up the stage a couple of Viking-sized, history re-enactors were teaching a group of school children about the Norman Conquests amongst various interesting topics such as the merits of the Longbow.

This show was to be the final viewing for our director, Andrew Normington. We were keen to hit a strong level and send him off on a high and I'm pleased to report that we did. A lot of things fell into place, and so he left confident that we would continue to grow along the right lines. He'll be visiting us again intermittently to see that all is well, without announcement!

Next up was Packwood House...another huge crowd of several hundred, in the grounds of a majestic national heritage stately home. It is such a treat to perform to so many people and fine weather made for a buzzing crowd in high spirits set on a good time.

One more show in Bryanston School the next day and then it was home for two days to try to recharge the batteries for the next stretch of work...week 2. Though perhaps I should call it weeeek 2 because it is not a 5 day working week, nor a 7 day, but a stretch of 12 working days in a row! Yes reader, 12 days in a row without a day off.

At least we've got cake

As I write this now it is day 9 of this behemoth. We have been working like dogs. Like epicurean dogs of theatre war, waging fiery narrative battle on the picnic laden masses. Epic feats of stamina, physical and mental strength, patience, focus and good humour have been displayed by each and every man of the team.

This chapter kicked off in Norwich Cathedral, building our set in a cloistered courtyard, to present our offering to the assembled employees of an accountancy firm as part of their Summer gala drinks.

Before the show we were interviewed by the local press...radio, TV and newspapers. The company has a big following in Norwich where we will be returning a few times over the coming months. A couple of us did some scenes in costume for the camera whilst the others took interviews and the like. So that was nice.

Next day was a really lovely affair. In the grounds of a countryside mansion of a very lovely and welcoming family who host an annual culture festival for the local community. We had a wonderful home-cooked meal post-stage build. Their manicured garden even had a moat/lake running around the perimeter and was ideal to unwind in pre-show. A well-received performance was followed by a drinks reception with the family. We made friends with grandmother who as an acquaintance to the queen was in possession of the original coronation chicken recipe...which we are looking forward to receiving!

Coronation chicken? I'll drink to that.

The next day and we found ourself on the coast in Brighton. This was an intimate affair in the village of Rottingdean, known for it's history of harbouring smugglers and its connection to Rudyard Kipling who lived there for a time. Fish and chips after the set build and a quick dalliance on the pebbly beach before the show and bed.

Then it was off to Bentley House in the Sussex countryside...a private grounds that was hosting a vintage car fair and a Wild Fowl nature reserve; interesting activities to explore in those awkward afternoon hours that we have free between 2.30pm when we've usually finished building our set and 5.30pm when we have to start gearing up for the show. For sake of future reference let's call this the dayfuntime.

#dayfuntime

By this time in weeeek 2 we were settling into what the rhythm of life on this tour will be. To break it down simply as follows:

Wake up in a travelodge and idle until 11.30 'morningfuntime'

11.30-1.30 we be cruising to the venue

1.30-2.30 build the stage

2.30-5.30 free time at the venue 'dayfuntime'

5.30-6.30 physical and vocal warm up for the show

6.30 - doors of the venue open...2 lads are welcoming and selling programs

7.30-9.35 show

9.30-10.15 load set into van

10.15-11/12 drive to travelodge

Anyway, so just as we were getting used to this life we suddenly hit a couple of days of manic craziness...first of all at Canford School where we had to do 2 performances and conduct workshops about the play and then the next day at an all-girl school in Norwich with further workshops and another performance.

This demanding period combined with a cold to push my voice to it's limits. I began to get creaky and hoarse. Losing your voice on this tour is not an option and so it was battle stations to take every cautionary measure. Steaming, jakeman's sweets and 'vocalzone' and honey...and well, whiskey. And above all not talking. So it's been a sad few days. My fellow actor Andrew was in the same boat.

Fortunately it's held up in performance although the range of pitch significantly narrows and sometimes I squeak like a pubescent teen/dying mule. It's been on the mend, though I'll continue to keep myself quiet, and also take extra special care in performance.

So here we are now in the ground of Hanbury House. Tomorrow it's a big couple of nights in Cardiff Castle. Fun fun fun.

Beginnings

Four shows completed and it's safe to say that we're off!

Let me see, let me see...Show One was at King's Ely school on Monday night and as I write to you now it's Friday morning. So much seems to have passed three or so days!

Right. Our opening performance. It's always a big step to welcome an audience to your play. We cocoon ourselves away for weeks in a rehearsal room; doing our utmost to understand our story, whilst working out how to tell it as clearly as possible; with truth and impact, whilst, being a comedy; seeing how to squeeze out every drop of funny juice.

Ollo treading board as Viola

Sure, we've been making each other laugh, and we can trust our director's steerage towards our goals? The acid test will always be conducted by the audience. We rise or fall on their sword. In their reactions (or lack of reactions) we learn (and must quickly adapt) what we have.

This learning curve is even steeper in open air theatre (compared to conventional indoor)...where we have to contend with a host of peculiar obstacles. For instance, being heard above nature or man-made noise.

Meeting this particular demand has been a challenge for me in this past week. I play a woman, and moreover a delicate, young noblewoman who is in mourning for her brother before falling madly in love. In the rehearsal room I found a certain degree of size that seemed appropriate to my character's journey.

Reaching for the necessary degree of vocal and physical size in the outdoor space has been a sort of messy juggling act. Anxious to be clearly heard I push my voice out, but to the detriment of variation in tone, pitch, volume, quality...the performance gets stuck on one note, one gear. Subtleties are lost and ultimately the story is not told with colour. Over these opening shows I've been striving to achieve bold size, but not at the expense of delicacy and truthful connection.

After the show we drove to our first Travelodge hotel...one of many to come! 

#travelogical

Then up and out at 8.30am the next day to a wealthy little village called Burford where a few residents are hosting a cultural festival. We were booked to do two shows in a beautiful garden.

I should probably explain at this point that we are travelling players in the oldest sense...we go everywhere with our complete stage, costume and props. It's all loaded in a big 'Luton' van which we drive alongside in our people carrier; 'Sharan'.

#who's got the keys to sharan?

When we arrive on site we unload our stage and build it in place...considering where the evening sun will set during the show (the audience can't see us if the sun is shining in their face!) Costumes and props ready to go and we take a break to eat and do a thorough physical and vocal warm up before the house doors (or rather garden gate) is opened to the public.

Burford Garden

Show 2 and 3 successfully complete we loaded up and headed back on the road to stay in another Travelodge (Milton Keynes) before waking up and driving to a beautiful National Heritage site...Raglan Castle.

This was a real corker of a location...the castle was majestically ancient; a timeless and elegant degree of ruin. There was even a bloody moat! We set up and then got into costume for a photo session with a professional photographer...photos for press and such.

Then lunch and Show 4. With the sun setting in strikingly beautiful and vivid shades of crimson...stage right.

Day 1...Location 1...Performance 1 (of 84)

Welcome ye fans of Shakespeare, Thespians, Luvvies and Lushes all...welcome!

My name is Tom Lincoln. I am an actor currently engaged with The Lord Chamberlain's Men, an open-air, all-male touring theatre company.

Herein I hope to put down for posterity, sentimentality and amusement; a flavour of our day to day life on the road.

Today, or rather, tonight...we open and perform in front of a live, paying audience for the first time. Four weeks of rehearsal has been and gone and now we stand to deliver...quaffed and costumed with heads full of verse and hearts full of song.

The play's the thing...and our thing is 'Twelfth Night of What You Will' by William Shakespeare.

Well that's all I have time for now and introductions should be short after all. Speak more anon.

Care to know more about the play...http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelfth_Night

Care to know more about our Theatre Company/Production/Tour...http://www.tlcm.co.uk

X

Rehearsal in South London

A glorious day to start a tour in King's Ely

Backstage selfie in a corset