And so, another ETC performance has been put to bed. A Perfect Murder by Jeffrey Archer was my fourth outing as an actor and I feel a bit as if I am
starting to know what I’m doing. Radio Plays are things of wonder; you get to have your script…on stage! What could go wrong??? Well, clutching your script, like a well worn comfort blanket, is no guarantee that hilarious ‘bloopers’ won’t happen. ‘Hello Ian’ said Tim, as he confidently strode on stage. Errr, Ian, for the purposes of this play was now John, a cheating husband and all round cad, as unlike our lovely Ian as its hard to imagine! I, too, had to quickly catch a couple of lost lines and deliver them back as if nothing untoward had happened.
starting to know what I’m doing. Radio Plays are things of wonder; you get to have your script…on stage! What could go wrong??? Well, clutching your script, like a well worn comfort blanket, is no guarantee that hilarious ‘bloopers’ won’t happen. ‘Hello Ian’ said Tim, as he confidently strode on stage. Errr, Ian, for the purposes of this play was now John, a cheating husband and all round cad, as unlike our lovely Ian as its hard to imagine! I, too, had to quickly catch a couple of lost lines and deliver them back as if nothing untoward had happened.
While we were rehearsing, we had no clue as to what would tickle the audience’s fancy. After all, we were delivering a drama, with the denouement of a serious court scene, and Jeffrey Archer isn’t know for his sense of humour. Yet, there were nuggets that sparkled and made the audience gurgle with laughter. Having live sound effects is always going to be funny and I,myself, delivered a sonorous ‘nipple’ in my role as Pathologist and got a shiver of a laugh.
The ‘have a lunch and a play’ combo is a genius idea. Even though I don’t eat meat, the whole roast dinner smell is delicious. I also really like us cast serving the food; interaction with the audience maybe and further evidence of the tight bond that forms with each play production.
Overall I had a lovely time. I adore the whole backstage experience; the build up of tension, the rush as you step out onto the stage, the last clear of the throat.
And what is coming next??? You’ll have to wait a bit longer, but I know already it will be performed by a cast that is tight, supportive and committed!
And what is coming next??? You’ll have to wait a bit longer, but I know already it will be performed by a cast that is tight, supportive and committed!
Rebecca Shields
