REP SEASON 2012 – Rehearsal Day 0 – LEONIE HILL (Maria/Kennedy/Julie)
At My Fingers’ Ends
So, it’s the evening before the first morning of rehearsals. I’ve made my packed lunch, prepared healthy snacks and am just taking some time out from going over Mary Stuart in order to write this. I’m slightly nervous, but the good kind of nerves where you’re psyching yourself up for what is to come. I’ve read Mary Stuart quite a few times now, I’m itching to get ‘Hannah’ up on her feet and I can’t wait to get into the swing of rehearsals.
Last weekend we began reading through Mary Stuart and Twelfth Night and one of the first things that Mark asked was: ‘What is the thing that you are most excited about?’ And much to the amusement of everybody in the room, I replied ‘Going to the pub with everybody and getting to know them.’ But I didn’t mean this for the sheer social delight of getting sloshed with one’s fellow actors, I meant for the experience of becoming such a tight and supportive ensemble. We are going to be experiencing an intense two and a half months; we will eat, sleep and breathe Shakespeare, Schiller and Strindberg. There is so little time to prepare that the intensity of the situation means that we are going to have to trust each other implicitly and be there for each other when times are tough, rehearsals are long and we’re all beyond the point of what is ’acceptably sweaty!’
Well, the read through begins and we only get through Act One of each play,because there is so much to say, the language is rich, the possibilities endless and already the banter has begun! The room is filled with excitable actors, each fighting for air space to share their opinion or idea. Mark as a director creates such an open atmosphere in the room, that already I feel at ease to say whatever comes into my head. I love the collaborative ethos that theFaction represents; taking these classic plays and setting them where ever we want and creating a completely new world, regardless of how its been seen or done before, using only each other, out of things that we discover in the moment. This, for me, is what I am most excited about. As an actor it is easy to feel like a pawn in somebody’s game of chess, but this game belongs to all of us and I can’t wait to play!
Right, I’m going to go, want to get an early night and feel fresh and ready for the first week of rehearsals. Sleep and diet is a huge priority as I prepare mentally and physically for the challenge ahead: ‘Greens, Nuts, Soya, you’re in! Sadly, Wine, my good friend, you and I won’t be able to hang out for a while (except for Press Night…….and my birthday!)’
Ta-ta for now,
