Bull

So I’m back once again like a renegade master, treading the boards in an amateur production. It’s been three years! Only this time, I’m playing at Market Harborough Theatre right in the centre of this lovely market town for Market Harborough Drama Society. After a quick sortie on their website, it tells me they’ve been presenting plays in their current building since 1947 and over the years have expanded their lot so it’s now a fully fledged theatering facility. I’m quite proud to be one of their newest members. And I’m going to tell you why.

Basically I’m proud because of two things that I’ve noticed. 1. Everyone is so bloody nice. Now this could be because I’m new and I don’t know jack shit yet, but everyone has been welcoming, accommodating and just plain nice. As the rehearsal process has gone on, I’ve met more and more of the lovely volunteers that keep the theatre ticking along and everyone has welcomed me to the society. 2. They put on good theatre. Before I became a member I had seen a couple of shows at the theatre a few years ago and was impressed with the quality of the amateur dramaticals on offer. In recent months I’ve seen two of their more recent shows and the quality shines through. One more of an ensemble piece and one, a one person show. It really showed their range of talent and willingness to put on something well known and not so well known and achieve good results in both. Hopefully I can help and keep the quality up.

Now onto the show what I’m involved with. Every February the theatre company put on two, one act plays. I have a small role in the first of those one acters, titled Bull. It’s a dark comedy (which gets really dark) about office politics by Mike Bartlett. You may also catch a glimpse of me in the second of those one acters where I have a small non-speaking role book ending Garden Pests by Jean Mcconnell, where two keen gardeners are determined not to leave the garden empty-handed. I’ve really enjoyed rehearsing, even if I am grumpy about it sometimes. The show is coming along and will be ready for its opening night on Tuesday February 22nd, running until Saturday 26th February with a matinee on the Saturday. At £12 per ticket it’s a bargain. You can get your tickets here:

I also feel royally spoilt. Having acted for a few amateur companies in Northampton, not many of them have their own facilities. Now this isn’t a huge hindrance to actually putting on a show, but does create complications when transitioning from rehearsal space to theatre space. Entrances and exits need to be adjusted, timings are off and all of the sound and lighting needs to be completed in two frantic weeks. Because MHDS have their own dedicated theatre run by volunteers, I was sitting on the stage I was to be performing on a month before the show starts with most of the props required and entrances and exits figured out. The sound and lighting techs were there organising their respective wizardry, props were being finalised and I was soon to have a wardrobe session with costume to ensure I looked the business. Awesome volunteers were coming and going sorting out their respective jobs and it meant I could concentrate on what I needed to do… act well on stage. We’ll see on Tuesday 22nd February if I pull it off. (That’s what she said.)