So it’s been a long while since my last update, but it has been pretty busy to say the least these last couple of weeks! What with rehearsals and sourcing props, materials and all of the other things we need to make a production like this work there’s been no time to/think about anything else but Jungle Book.
WE SOURCED A PROP ON EBAY THE OTHER DAY… and it was a very exciting moment. So one rehearsal our Youth Theatre ASM’s sat bidding on Daniels laptop for 2 hours to get a pair of old opera glasses for Chil the eagle to look down her nose through. I cannot even express the excitement in the room when we were down to the final couple of minutes, as the bidding was drawing to a close. The entire room was shouting the countdown from 10 and it was absolute madness. (Video to be uploaded later courtesy of our Cobra- Beth Folan who was recording the whole thing!) Alas, out first personal prop was found!!
Rehearsals are continuing to look fantastic, there is a lot of great character work happening especially in terms of making our actors look as animal-like as possible without having them all crawling around on the floor. It has been really interesting to find other ways of moving, and how to find animal movements in human beings. All of the scenes have some form of structure which is great, now comes the fun part of going through the play and adding much more detail.
Hugo our fight choreographer has come in a worked with everyone on the big fights in the play which was fantastic; the wolves in particular have been really great to watch in the fight sequences as they have sticks as an extension of their legs to help with movement, what Hugo and Dan have created looks absolutely great and I cant wait to see it in situ at Itchen Valley Country Park.
It is really interesting for me having been a part of the youth theatre since I was 15 which is four years now! I’ve gone from being in the shows every year to being trusted to DSM our Christmas show last year to now assistant directing! It is an incredible opportunity and although I have found this particular transition a challenge I will rise to it and make the most of it.
Sourcing everything we need is taking a while; I never knew how much went in to pulling a production as big as this off! Especially as it is a promenade production and it is outside, so generators, extra lighting, dressing rooms, office space and all the set and props need to be found, and this is not a small job, Louise, Youth Theatre Co-ordinator and Jungle Book’s DSM is working tirelessly to secure all of these.
So Jungle Book is definitely going – its well on its way and everything is looking amazing. Everything is so excited as we draw closer to the production itself and there is still lots to do!
Amy Pattison
Assistant Director
