Okay, so if there's a mid point in our year-long theatre map, this is probably it. For me at least. I guess in theory half way through rehearsals of Love Steals us would be the mid point of 13 shows - or half way through the run.... but it certainly won't feel like a moment to pause and reflect. So I am officially designating today, Saturday 28 August and John McGrath's personal half-way point in the launch year programme of National Theatre Wales.

I'm not going to do a review of reflection on the year to date here - Dylan More has done a nice overview on his blog and Tom Payne is doing an insanely detailed daily diary. But as I take a gulp of air on a Saturday morning I'm certainly feeling very happy about how it's all going, and particularly about the fact that so many people have such differing favourite memories of our journey so far.

A lot of people ask how we are managing (with our tiny core team of 11) to keep going through the 1 show a month madness. Of course a huge part of the effort is shouldered by the amazing creative and production teams that take on each individual show, but still there is a regular workload for the core team - from contracting actors, to dealing with finances, to giving rehearsal feedback, to planning opening nights - our monthly business alongside all the planning and development for the future that goes on behind the scenes. Of course, sometimes it's overwhelming, but by and large there's also something reassuring about the regularity of the the rhythm, and the fact that by producing ambitious new work so often we are learning very quickly how to do the job!

One of the interesting things for us is just how much is always going on with other shows in the midst of rehearsals or performance for the current production. In the last fortnight, for example, as Persians reached its triumphant conclusion, we also had auditions for Dark Philosophers and Mundo Parallelo, a week-long workshop with the creative team on Soul Exchange, design and production for Love Steals Us, two international companies visiting to plan possible projects for 2012-13, and a staff awayday thrown in for good luck! It's great watching the various teams of artists bumping into each other in our offices or at each others's performances - sharing ideas and reactions. It also feels like we're building up a longer-term family. Our offices - and this online network - are designed so that people will feel as comfortable as possible staying involved in the company. Some people are brilliant at this - Marc Rees worked very consistently in our office during the run up to For Mountain Sand and Sea, and now pops in regularly to have a cup of tea or use the WiFi. It's great for all of the folk in the office to feel these ongoing connections - and sense of community. So if you've been involved in a show and not popped in for a while (physically or virtually), please do!

As for me, I'm spending the weekend re-reading Love Steals Us, and thinking about rehearsals. I'm very pleased with where the script and design are up to, and we have a great cast, so for me personally it's that moment before diving into the swimming pool of rehearsals and trying to make it all come together. Like many people, I imagine, I have a moment on the edge of the swimming pool when I wonder whether I can even remember how to swim, and other moments when I want to throw all my regular swimming styles out of the pool and start learning again from fresh. But really, I guess there's only one thing to do. Take a Deep Breath and....

Views: 42

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of National Theatre Wales Community to add comments!

Join National Theatre Wales Community

image block identification

© 2024   Created by National Theatre Wales.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service