Tales from the darkness...

Hi everyone,

My name's Ruth and I'm the Company Manager at PFT.  This means that amongst other things I'm responsible for making sure that all the actors, furniture and props arrive on stage happy(ish!), at the right time and in the right place. I head up the Stage Management department, whose overall job is to ensure that each production is recreated exactly as directed and designed every time it's performed. 

I've been asked to write a few words for the theatre blog about what we do day-to-day, which is a lot more than just scuttling about in the dark (although that does make up a fair amount of our work)...

We are currently recovering from opening the wonderful Privates on Parade last week, which we are all very proud of.  It's a terrific production with outstanding performances, and looks just fabulous, but it has entailed a huge amount of work for everyone involved.  Elaine, our Stage Manager for the show, has a props setting list which runs to six pages of A4 - this must be meticulously checked before each performance to make sure everything is exactly where the actors need it to be during the show.  A lot of our setting up pre-performance is done pretty much in the dark while the electricians are focussing the lights, which is an extra challenge (need to eat more carrots!).

In addition to working on the five productions currently in our daily repertoire and keeping everything looking as good as on opening night, this week we have also gone into rehearsals for Dr. Angelus, which opens on 17th August.  The first read through on Monday went really well - it's a great script, and Alan Steele makes a fantastic Dr. Angelus.. just wait till you see him!  One of our Deputy Stage Managers, Maggi, will be in the rehearsal room throughout the next four weeks, letting all the production departments know exactly what will be required when we get to the production week - this can be anything from the type of food required onstage (and whether it's actually eaten, or if it can be fake) to which costumes need to be quick-changed.  The rest of the Stage Management team - Elaine, Cassie, Sam and Beth - are busy making, borrowing and finding all the props and furniture for Dr. Angelus - they will liaise closely with Charles the designer and all the other production departments to ensure that the production looks perfect and runs smoothly when it opens.

I've also been looking ahead to our revival of Whisky Galore! A Musical which will be our first ever autumn repertory production - it will bring its own challenges, opening as it does just a few days after the end of the current summer season.  We are nearly fully cast now, and very excited about going back to the islands again - look forward to seeing you there!