Cast meet and Readthrough

Before I start this section of the blog, I will provide you with the very talented cast that I shall be working with.

William Brown
Jack Everson

Mr John Brown/Douglas
Clive Dancey

Mrs Mary Brown
Naomi Symeou

Robert Brown
Christopher Rorke

Ethel Brown
Chloe Jefferies

Lady Marcombe
Rachel Mason

Sylvia Bexley
Amie Clapson

Violet Elizabeth Bott
Katrina Gibson

Ginger
Leigh Stevenson

Henry
Ido Gonen

Policeman
Robert Paul

After a fairly exhaustive audition process, my director and I chose our cast. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the choice the day we made them, but yesterday Albin and I sat down with the cast to a very informal introduction and quick read through. Needless to say, I was worried because I was due to try to play some of my music on the piano. Believe me when I say I am a composer, not a pianist - the music I write is a tad too difficult for my own talent - however, I received a warm round of applause for the mangled version of my overture.

Anyway, that embarrassment over, we introduced each other to each other, and then Albin talked about the production and I made a brief speech as regard my thoughts, then we showed off the production space and sat down for our read through.

This was a very interesting experience as I'd never heard the script being read through out loud, and I saw a couple of things that had to be changed - but, generally, I felt it went very well - with everyone reading incredibly well to suitable humorous effects - which, needless to say, made me very happy indeed. No singing was in this read through (purely because the cast don't know the tunes yet!) but the dialogue seemed to flow pretty well - which was rewarding. It went by quickly, though! Luckily, the musical HAS to be between 40 and 45 minutes long. So, I was thinking as the read through flew by, it will give the actors a real chance to flesh out the dialogue. Funny that...

I meet with my wonderful musical director Matt Winkworth tomorrow, to discuss the score...so, more on that tomorrow...