Well then. That’s it. Done. Over. No more rehearsals. No more shows. No more hour and a half drives to the theatre…. although I’m not sure I’m going to miss the latter too much. It is currently 12:10 and I am writing this in my pyjamas, still in bed and listening to Karma Chameleon by Culture Club (my latest hype song which I have been listening to on repeat for the last few days). I feel very relaxed and decadent. I’m also not entirely sure what to do with myself now that I no longer have a play in production. Well, I suppose I could chase up some emails about rights for the next play and finally get round to tidying my room but right now they very much feel like future Cassie jobs. For now, I think I’ll just reflect on the past few weeks and share my thoughts with the void.
Although not the first play I’ve directed, there have still been a lot of firsts. First two hander. First play in the round. First understudy. Amazingly not my first trip to Wood Green as I auditioned for Mountview before it moved to Peckham although it seemed to be for many. I have still made lots of mistakes and learned many lessons but that will be a blog in a few weeks’ time. I suppose that’s to be expected as the course of true rehearsal process never did run smooth…. and when it does I’ll know that something has gone very, very wrong. Having said that, it’s gone pretty f***ing well.
The cast were utterly amazing throughout the whole process. Evie somehow managing to balance being in two shows at the same time and always coming in with so much energy. Sarah constantly asking me questions and interrogating character intentions to make her work more specific. Megan understudying both parts meant that she learnt the whole bloody play, quietly sitting and watching the others work, smoke coming out of her pencil as she furiously scribbles her notes. Although I never want cast members to be ill, I am so so pleased that she had the opportunity to go on (just a shame that her night turned out not to be quite as full as the others). I would also like to mention how brilliant it was just how quickly everyone took to working in the round (especially as two cast members had never worked with that kind of staging before) which meant being super close to the audience. Honestly, they were all incredible and I cannot imagine having a different cast.
There are some other people who need thanking too. The people who you might have seen but haven’t thought about. Lettie Hindle for programming the lights and sound and operating them on the first night. Also, a massive personal thank you to her for making it completely idiot proof so muggins here could operate the rest of the run without too much difficulty and for holding my hand for the first five minutes of the opening night because directors get nervous too. My sister Abi Osbourne who has taken many of the photos seen on social media (and all the photos in this blog) as well as providing her partner’s car to help with get out (ta Robert). Not to mention the fact that they both came all the way from Brussels to see the play and help us out! Mama and Papa Osbourne who have not only been lovely ushers but have been ferrying me (as well as set and props) to and from rehearsal and performance venues, providing me with food and doing anything they could to make my life just that little bit less stressful.
Finally, my amazing partner, Kyle Cross who has been not only been an amazing props and set master but has been front of house, helped me choreograph the fight, provided first aid, designed the poster and programmes, helped me with my budgeting and costings, kept my website up to date and has done a million other tiny things to make this play a success…. while having a proper full time job and his own life! Every one of these people have been absolutely wonderful and I would be nothing without their constant love and support.
Well that got a little soppy at the end there so I think it’s probably time to stop writing. The only thing left to do is thank each and every person who came to see ‘Thick as Thieves’. If it weren’t for you, we would not be able to continue having a blast putting on shows that we love. I’m sure there are still more reviews to come in over the next few days but opening with a 4.8 star rating is utterly mind boggling and I can’t wait to see if I can keep that high standard up for the next play in August where we will be back at South London Theatre in West Norwood (far more commutable).
Ta ta for now x
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