Back in the room. The days go disconcertingly quickly. We are in and it feels like it has barely started when we are finished. I tried to remember my lines in front of people and my head was full of so much noise I said Venice instead of Cyprus and then got angry with myself, but better by far to have all that noise now when it’s a new learn and everyone is still holding scripts in their hands.
The space got meticulously taped up over the weekend, so now we are sitting in a circle of chairs ignoring immaculately taped up boundaries of what the stage will be like in Stratford.
We had three singers in today but we aren’t finding the songs yet. Georgian influences though, and acapella, which I know can be extremely emotive. Once again I’m thinking I should have worked my singing muscle out. Like line learning, like acting, it is a muscle that atrophies if left unattended too long. I’ve always kept the others up, but I let the singing drop. It was never really attended to at Guildhall. Some of the best voice teachers in the world, but a slightly haphazard and unguided approach to singing when I was there, that left me with little clue how to use my voice until we did The Odyssey a decade ago.
This is my focus now though, and even if it goes quickly, right now we have time in the bank and I’m gonna make use of it.
After work I drove to Twickenham. Minnie had a self tape and we haven’t seen each other for ages. A pizza and a catch up. She’s a useful perspective on my various concerns and insecurities, just as she’s spent years up in Stratford working for the same company. I’ve slept on many a floor cushion concoction, very possibly in one of the little cottages where I’ll be staying, after seeing one of her many varied shows. She feels my enthusiasm and shares my love of craft. And good lord she can turn it on. Her tape was barnstorming and she did most of it in one take. Why waste time? Especially after all the time it takes to learn the fucker.
I’m feeling happy and rested after the weekend, although my toxins are coming out and they aren’t so much fun the second time. Another week and I reckon I’ll be feeling the benefits. Right now I struggle to get to sleep.
AlBarclay 