At the beginning of 2024, a brave man suggested we put on Patrick Barlow’s comic
adaptation of The 39 Steps. Many thought it was too ambitious but our minds were brought
round to taking on the challenge. It is a very complex production with seemingly thousands
of props, of varying sizes, and a host of sound and lighting cues. In other words, not
suitable for village halls. So theatres were sought and found – Le Lalano at Lalanne-Trie
(near Trie-sur-Baïse) and the Salle de la Comédie at Lectoure (not very near to ETC’s
base).
Performances were scheduled for November and the cast were given scripts in February.
From then on it was full-on, for nine months. With a talented and imaginative cast,
rehearsals were, on the whole, a lot of fun. As the performance dates approached, tension
gave rise to a few strained moments but the commitment and basic goodwill of the team
(cast, crew and even the director!) soon smoothed any troubled waters.
The 10 November production was at Le Lalano. The little time we had for set-up and
rehearsal weren't so much the problem as the many mini power cuts experienced during
the Dress Rehearsal. Le Lalano has a generator (to cope with this common problem there)
so problem solved, almost. In spite of a rather subdued audience (even a French spectator
asked if this was due to the phlegm of the Brits), the show went well, with just a few power
related technical hitches, and there were even shouts of “Bravo!” during the curtain call.
(There is a video to prove it…)
In spite of the rather complicated entrance and strange layout of the theatre at Lectoure, it
is a lovely space. Owing to the distance, the setup did not have the usual number of
helpers but the show was very much alright on the night, and with a good and more
appreciative audience. The “Last night party” actually took place, by chance, after the
Dress, in the friendly bar directly opposite the theatre – leading to one or two slightly sore
heads the next morning (fortunately, not among the cast..)
So, the ETC more than met the challenge and produced a show worthy of professionals (in
spite of a few technical hitches). Well done and a big Thank You to a great team!
adaptation of The 39 Steps. Many thought it was too ambitious but our minds were brought
round to taking on the challenge. It is a very complex production with seemingly thousands
of props, of varying sizes, and a host of sound and lighting cues. In other words, not
suitable for village halls. So theatres were sought and found – Le Lalano at Lalanne-Trie
(near Trie-sur-Baïse) and the Salle de la Comédie at Lectoure (not very near to ETC’s
base).
Performances were scheduled for November and the cast were given scripts in February.
From then on it was full-on, for nine months. With a talented and imaginative cast,
rehearsals were, on the whole, a lot of fun. As the performance dates approached, tension
gave rise to a few strained moments but the commitment and basic goodwill of the team
(cast, crew and even the director!) soon smoothed any troubled waters.
The 10 November production was at Le Lalano. The little time we had for set-up and
rehearsal weren't so much the problem as the many mini power cuts experienced during
the Dress Rehearsal. Le Lalano has a generator (to cope with this common problem there)
so problem solved, almost. In spite of a rather subdued audience (even a French spectator
asked if this was due to the phlegm of the Brits), the show went well, with just a few power
related technical hitches, and there were even shouts of “Bravo!” during the curtain call.
(There is a video to prove it…)
In spite of the rather complicated entrance and strange layout of the theatre at Lectoure, it
is a lovely space. Owing to the distance, the setup did not have the usual number of
helpers but the show was very much alright on the night, and with a good and more
appreciative audience. The “Last night party” actually took place, by chance, after the
Dress, in the friendly bar directly opposite the theatre – leading to one or two slightly sore
heads the next morning (fortunately, not among the cast..)
So, the ETC more than met the challenge and produced a show worthy of professionals (in
spite of a few technical hitches). Well done and a big Thank You to a great team!