It’s that time of year again when I eat biscuits by the handful, drink my weight in tea…rehearsals are properly underway now for Murder Mystery. I am thrilled to take my part among the talented strolling players of the ETC and I am particularly thrilled with the play. I had no idea what to expect and even after I was handed my script, I still didn’t really get it. The play really began to coalesce once we started to move around, weave our lines together and I haven’t stopped laughing since! It’s simply a bit of fun, no more no less and sometimes this is all we need in these troubled times.
Each production brings its own set of new skills I have to learn on the hoof. This time, I have been given the freedom to overact, to be as hammy as I like, which is brilliant. There is a slight problem though. My character is dreadful; highly critical and controlling-nothing like me at all. You will see me struggling to not split my sides laughing! My cheeks ache when I leave rehearsals; I giggle, snort, guffaw my way through each session. The amazing thing is that even though I am fairly familiar now with the script, it is still rib ticklingly funny.
Today when we were having a break, eating even more biscuits, I looked around at all our faces and saw the same expressions. We were all engaged, sparkly eyed and full of joy and this really is the magic that you will see when you come along to support us. We are all having fun and each word, silly though it is, brings us joy!
Rebecca Shields
