director's notes 6

The dynamics of a cast are always fascinating.

For me the challenge is in reading the dynamics well.

I never know.

I try to create a free-flowing or at least somewhat loosy-goosy working environment so people can have humour and feel free to talk, but it seems to me that the culture of theatre is still infused with a sense of hierarchical nature of older theatre traditions.

The director is the boss..and of course in a fundamental way you are..you are the one that gets to say "here not there" and "let's cut that" etc. so no matter how often you try to encourage open discussion..some people remain sceptical.

My spouse is working on this and she thinks I am totally full of fertilizer in my belief that I allow the free flow (word to the wise, be careful working with those who know you as intimately as a spouse, they can be a hard sell), however I retain the right to disagree with her.

The challenge with doing a big dense project in a limited number of weeks is that you have to move so fast, often it is hard for others to keep up with you (I have been living with the piece for years, they have been on board for weeks). So as I bull my way to the finish line (well really the start line)I have to keep looking around to make sure I am not leaving a trail of injuries.

We got to two scenes past half way in the QtoQ last night and have another five hours today..hopefully we will get to a run.

As the actors acclimatize to the set and lights and sound, the next step is to get back to the text and the relationships and also to make sure they get runs in for the flow. My needs also include expanding on the visual conceits I have tried to create and to the overall meta-theatrical approach to the piece.I am changing aspects of the set as we go and also I want to check sight-lines, volume of actors and keep the plot points clear to an audience.

Then --are there cuts I can introduce without creating panic?

I am really looking forward to acting again.