The Big Day Approaches ...
 It is actually getting quite difficult to choose which pics to put on the blog, as there are so many great ones (thanks Raven, who took most of the pics today).  First of all - the full line up for Thursday, some with some bits of costume on.

And here is one of Chris, who has done us some fab music for the characters, and some special sound effects too, which add humour and realism to the chase scene, which otherwise, would be completely silent.

The first exchange of ownership, a mysterious market trader, sells the Kettle, to a very holy priest, who loves a bargain, but doesn't quite realise that this particular bargain contains more than he - errr - bargained for!

Zany, without hat, has based her character on one of the stock characters from the Commedia De'll Arte.  There are a few clues as to these roots in her costume, for instance Harlequinn's diamonds.  Like the Commedia character, our Zany is very lively and mischeivous.

Despite only just having come to her second rehearsal, the third Novice threw herself into the role and helped complete the set of comical, energetic and non-to-bright stooges, who try haplessly, and fail hazardously, to catch the naughty Badger!

There were some lovely moments in the chase scene, which is finally comprehensible to actors, and thus will hopefully be to audience.  They certainly raised a few laughs among those of us watching.  The novices are instinctively putting in pauses and dashes now, in the right places.  Fingertip Theatre certainly did what it was intended to do, and not only are the actors getting into the right places, but they are getting into role really well.  Some of the timings still need to be worked on, and in fairness, we won't really get the opportunity to go through it all, 

so some improvisation will be required.  As time goes on, each performance that we do will bring up the standard, and eventually it will be fully polished.  For now, it is what we in the theatre world call "work in progress".

Whilst some of the timing may be a bit unrehearsed, and some of the movements may be a little lost in some bits that could seem a little chaotic, the thing that is most impressive to me about this group, most of whom are not seasoned actors, is the spirit, the good nature.  There is a generosity about the style of performance that on the night, will help to carry the actors through any sticky moments where cues are forgotten or people end up mistakenly on the wrong side of the stage.

 This is a wonderful little story.  I would never have considered working with fairy tales before doing the dramatherapy studies.  Bringing the story to life through movement and narration gives it a substance and a meaning that is lost when read off the page.  Adding some quirky music and some comical sound effects makes it more entertaining and helps the spectator become more involved in the action.

We have one last rehearsal on Wednesday, where we will be missing the narrator and one of the novices.  Those who are able to get there will be able to spend some time experimenting with makeup and some time perfecting the details of some of the movements.  Also I'd like us to spend some time for the new members to work on holding a sculpt, and to work on the character of the Tea Kettle (of course Kettles have character!)