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The opening performance of Holes is a mere one week away. Tickets have now sold out for Monday 4th & Tuesday 5th July but there is still some availability for the Parents' Day performance on Saturday 2nd July, 2:30pm. I urge you to book a ticket for this show - it really is a fun, engaging, energetic production that is fit for all the family.
 
The partially built set was revealed to the cast for the first time last week, which sparked excitement, inspiration and a tiny little bit of fear. Gareth (our resident carpenter) worked tirelessly for over ten days to create the magnificent design by Joanne Greenwood (our resident genius). Not only has Gareth got incredible skills, he also supports Pompey FC - rarely has 'skill' and 'Pompey' been used in the same sentence but Gareth is clear evidence that this is possible. With much debate, we finally agreed not to paint the set blue and white.

The Studio was the venue of choice for rehearsals last week where a family of wasps and a Budge enjoyed witnessing the closing stages of the creation of this production. There was much to be excited about now as we entered into the first of two consecutive all-in weekends (a tradition here at Bedales where everything comes together, clicks, and provides the momentum for entering production week): All movement sequences had been choreographed and tightened by our Assistant Director (6.1 student Alexandru Siantiu); Individual sections had been fine-tuned; characterisation developed and strengthened; and the cast were now about to experience just how this production is going to shape up on the set - their biggest challenge was transferring from the flat-floored, tight rehearsal space to the large and expansive, hole-filled rake of the set. They did this brilliantly, by the way.

Fatigue and a company cold set in this week which resulted in a below-par rehearsal on Wednesday evening - these pupils really are up against it this week with Block 3 & 4 exams understandably their main focus. And so to the second all-in weekend where technical meets performance. This weekend will see Joanne paint with light and, essentially, make everybody look good. Her trusted crew have been working tirelessly over the past term (or so) and really do deserve massive praise.

Performer of the fortnight goes to James Forsyth - this young man has been focussed and committed from day one. He has been imaginative and creative in his approach and has developed an incredibly impressive Zig-Zag. His jumping skills and facial expressions combine to produce an incredibly funny sequence.

Holes by Louis Sachar will be performed on:

Saturday 2nd July, 2:30pm (performance is given for Parents’ Day guests)
Monday 4th July, 7:30pm SOLD OUT
Tuesday 5th July, 7:30pm SOLD OUT

tickets@bedales.org.uk

All the elements of this production have started to come together: the soundtrack has been finalised and has been handed to the sound technician; costumes are complete and require minor adjustments before photo shoots begin; the spades are in and have been shortened; the water truck is mid-pumping and probably needs a new engine; sunflower seeds have arrived by the sack load and are ready to decorate the newly painted floor; work on the program is well underway; and the building of the set has commenced.

The next and final phase of rehearsals is demanding to say the least. The company will spend many hours over the next three weeks living and breathing this production.

Wednesday: a staggered run of Act 2; lines and blocking lost somewhere in the abyss of Half-Term; stern but supportive final words from the Director.

Thursday: choreographing of new movement sequence - wonderfully simple but effective; intimacy with Hugging Kate Barlow – who needs a kiss?!; slow-mo fight sequence re-worked; opening of Act 2 injected with energy and noise; a run of the first forty minutes of Act 2 – pacey, engaging, fun.

Thoughts go out to Mr Pendanski who will be devastated at missing rehearsals and being stuck on The Isle of Wight. Many thanks to The Police Officer for stepping up and reading in.

Performer of the week: Lucy Atwool-Jones (aka Kissing Kate Barlow) – real dedication to capturing ambiance through slow and thoughtful performance whilst reciting the cheesiest of lines.

Check out the latest images of the rehearsal taken by George Veys.

Wednesday 25th May, 7-9pm, Theatre

Holes is really starting to come together as a full on, action packed, full of laughs piece of theatre. Steve is doing a great job directing and keeping us under control, and Alexandru Siantiu is doing a fantabulous job choreographing and sitting in the Assistant Director’s chair.

I’d like to give a massive amount of respect for the actors playing the less major roles in the show. The amount of depth that they are creating with their characters is amazing. Our best wishes go out to Jack Merrett for the loss of his guitar. 
 
View the latest pictures taken at rehearsals by student George Veys here, and make sure to check out our Twitter feed and Facebook page.

It’s the final Whole School Dance of the year, this week, which means that we have been limited to only one rehearsal. Have no fear, however, as the company have donned their dancing shoes too, with two key movement sequences created with the leadership of our in-house choreographers. Thanks to Jo Alldridge (Teacher in charge of Dance & 6.2 Housemistress) and Alexandru Siantiu (6.1 Dance and Theatre Studies student) for their unbelievable creativity and imagination.
Naughty Naughty Cotton Eyed Joe.

Most impressive mover: Celeste Macilwaine – I charge anyone to beat that strut and match that pout! Some serious D-Tent attitude going on there.

View the latest pictures taken at rehearsals by student George Veys here.

Today I realised just how fortunate we are to have a Joanne. Behind the scenes she is frantically strutting her stuff and is bringing together several aspects of design. For example, the boat has been made. Typically, Joanne accepts nothing less than perfection and is demanding that it is fine tuned so that it is smaller and more versatile. Wonderful. We chatted about pigs and lizards for a while and then focused our attentions on debating fair trade hoodies vs overalls. 

In rehearsal I was delighted to re-block the final section of the play and still have time to run it. Stanley (Rob Miller) and Zero (Ruan Evans) are beginning to create an engaging relationship by mastering the art of simply ‘being’ and not trying to do too much. Sounds much simpler than it actually is.

Managed to find ten minutes to play some fun ensemble games with the D-Tent gang whilst slipping in a pretentious-but-true Jonny Depp quote.

Key player: Immy Welch - always up for standing in for absent members of the cast.
Next rehearsal: Sunday 8th May, 7-9pm, Theatre.

View pictures taken during rehearsals by student photographer George Veys here.

A shift in venue tonight as the dancers were fine-tuning their steps in preparation for the Dance performance and their examined performances on Saturday. We wish them well.

The focus of this week is Act 2 and rediscovering the blocking that was created in the deepest depths of the end of last term. To my surprise the cast had remembered pretty much everything – in fact they were correcting me on where they should be. Quite embarrassing but I am quite a bit older than these younglings and my memory is not what it used to be.

The Warden could not join us tonight due to illness. She probably won’t be back at all this week – really rather poorly. The cast send their love and wish Olivia a speedy recovery.
Slow-mo was used to great effect – some way to go but this strategy never fails to impress me when executed with energy and precision.

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that this production is all about smooth transitions – lots of shifting in time and location. You almost need two theatres…
Most focused cast member goes to ZigZag (James Forsyth). He really is beginning to add depth to his role and do that magic thing – reacting.
More to come this week as we close in on completing the basics.

Having a three week break in a rehearsal period is never desirable. Easter brought relaxation, revision and socialising for most. Would my cast forget everything that we had blocked? Would they learn their lines?
…
No and yes.
…
What a first rehearsal!
The skeleton of the first 28 pages is there – the actors now move seamlessly and purposefully through their steps and are giving a real insight into the dynamics of this show. Aesthetically, it is going to be stunning – the company are carving some pretty awesome structures and the ensemble of the D-Tent Boys is showing lots of imaginative shapes.

The pumping 90’s soundtrack was not utilised in this rehearsal. Instead we were treated to the strings of Jack Merrett’s guitar and the wonderful voices of Madamme Zeroni and Sarah Yelnats. With more ‘Merretesque’ confidence, these two voices will be magnificent.

And so to our Stanley – Rob Miller. This young actor clearly put a lot of work into his character over the Easter break - completely off script tonight and really starting to throw his voice to the back of the auditorium.
My secretary (The Warden) kept me in check and reminded me of the few minor errors I made in a recent all-cast e-mail. One day I’ll be as organised as this young lady. Her efficiency scares me.
Copious amounts of wood arrived a month early giving Joanne Greenwood a problem to solve – any chance of building the set now Jo? No. Oh, ok.

View Holes reharsals on Facebook.

Such was the efficiency of this rehearsal that we managed to pace through the second half of Act 1 AND re-run it with music. Amazing. Was delighted to have the 90’s soundtrack back in rehearsal.
All of the D-Tent Boys sans script and struttin’ their stuff. Nothing, however, lived up to ‘that dance’. Even at 9pm on a Thursday night, it was hilarious.
“Excuse me” received some attention – how important these two words are.
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