One click on SEND and that was it: my cast list was finalised and sent out- there was no going back. After more than three months and countless hours of auditions, I’ve finally got my cast!! Over the past few weeks, I’ve come across some really talented actors who have already opened up my eyes to new and interesting ways of approaching the text and I can’t wait to get started on rehearsals.
At the beginning of the week, I was beginning to doubt as to whether I could actually go ahead with the production: my desperation got to the point that I was thinking I would have to start rehearsals with about 75% of the main roles unfilled. But as the week progressed, my fears were allayed by the steady influx of actors of all ethnic backgrounds who came to auditions, filling up the empty cast list for both Nought and Cross characters.
However, my relief has been short-lived as the enormity of the feat I am about to embark upon is resting its heavy weight on my mind. I keep on thinking of possible disastrous scenarios that could occur at any moment or towards the eve of performance: what if the actors don’t gel with each other on and offstage; what if there’s a storm and the LMH theatre is flooded and destroyed; what if there is no interest whatsoever and no one turns up to see the play? Aaaah!! So many questions, so little time.
Anyway, I’ve just got to get my head in the game. It’ll be alright on the night. The show must go on. Anymore clichés? Well, it’s like Frumpy Fran says in my favourite film Strictly Ballroom: “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.” It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey- okay okay, I’ll stop now. It’s all about enjoying the process of creating a piece of theatre that you’re passionate about: nothing can go wrong if I keep that in mind. Right?
