It is now... (over that is)

It's true - Ferdie's lost the beard!

At the wrap party, we see a strange sight - a handsome, clean-shaven young man. Can it be? Yes - it's Ferdie!

 And now a week has gone by, the midge bites are starting to fade, the red tee shirt is folded away and I've deleted all the Directors' notes. It's bliss having time to do other things - but I miss the chats and the fun and the buzz. Looking back at the reviews and watching the amazing cinematic trailer again is good therapy. I miss the music too and can't wait to get my hands on the DVD.

I had been looking forward to the arrival of the printed text of the play together with production photos, which I'd ordered. But today comes a letter saying that for various reasons, this can't be done. Ah well. Time to move on as the politicians say. Mystery Plays 2012 - I've loved it. I'm proud to have been a part of such a phenomenal show and I hope to become a Friend of the Mystery Plays to help keep it all alive.

So to all who dreamed, planned, executed, performed or had any part in it - thank you. Until the next time!

The party's (nearly) over

The last week in August is always tricky...

What shall we do next?

For most people, it means a return to work after the final bank holiday of the year and schoolkids have got used to seeing 'Back To School' signs ever since they broke up in mid-July. I used to have quantities of lesson planning, filling in names in mark books and the sheer anxiety of wondering whether I could stay up on the tightrope for the next academic year. I don't have to worry about that now, but like almost everyone in the cast I speak to, we're wondering: 'What am I going to do with all that time?' I ask my new friend, Julia, who's in the band as well as the cast, how hard it is to play a brass instrument. She's very encouraging and tells me of some beginners' classes she knows. I wonder about getting an allotment, starting yoga classes, joining a choir... what is going to fill the gap left by the Mystery Plays?

We have two shows left - tonight and tomorrow and already people are talking about how they'll feel when we do the very last show on Monday evening. It will be emotional knowing that each scene is unfolding for the last time - practical too. Our line of washerwomen has gone a bit wobbly lately - we need to hold up the bloodstained sheets at least twice to establish the symbolism of evil in the world. We arrange a quick early practice on Sunday before the show to make sure we get it right.

Maybe that's what's entered into us - a spirit of professionalism. Not being satisfied with 'nearly right' but determined to get it 'exactly right'. That's what's been drilled into us over the last weeks and months by our directors and stage crew and that's what's led to a stunning show, hailed by critics and by everyone who sees it. And everyone mentions the stunning nature of the crowd scenes. Charles Hutchinson, the Press critic, came again last week and saw the Carpenters this time. He said:
'it is as much the ensemble that will live in the memory. Especially the Flood, as a mass of humanity, little children included, shielded under umbrellas that turned into a raging, dark sea...
  The first half, from Stanley Spencer imagery for Creation to its ending with Agnus Dei and a solo euphonium, is the most memorable sequence of scenes this critic has ever experienced.'

Wow! The crits don't come much better than this!

Ten shows, five stars...

The Guardian gave us five stars!

The news ripples through the green room faster than the flood rising towards the Ark. 

We've already had four stars from the Times and Telegraph but this is special. With a cast jam-packed with teachers - both active and retired - this is our newspaper. We are gleeful but reminding ourselves as does Liam, that we ain't resting on our laurels.

The news comes as we're about to do the second of a gruelling 7 consecutive performances to add to the three we've already done. That's all behind us now - ten down and four to go... Those with real stamina, went to the late night party at Thomas's wine bar on Saturday night, hosted by Ferdy and Graham who acted as DJs. That was after two shows on Saturday finishing after eleven... It was a case of spirit willing, flesh weak for me but I gather it was great fun. That's if what I overheard on Sunday is anything to go by: 'Everyone on that ark has a hangover'.

The Carpenters have a break now and we're catching up on sleep. But it's been good to perform every night for six consecutive nights - it's sharpened us up and we're starting to feel like professionals. We notice audience reaction more - like where the laughs come in the Flood scene. As one of the line of washerwomen, I was delighted that some of the audience were apparently wondering how the bloodstained sheets we hold up, turn into white sheets after God's intervention. Ah the magic of theatre.

Good luck to the Potters tonight! Oh and in case you haven't seen that review, here's a link to it:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2012/aug/16/york-mystery-plays-review

'That glorious band of amateurs'

That's us!

 

Too tired to write today, so here's what others say:

'A wonderfully well-drilled group of community players... the production shimmers with life. (The Stage)

The use of the crowd - all ages, dressed in everyday mid 20th-century clothes - is breathtaking... both do splendidly (Ferdy and Graham) yet the real stars are that glorious band of amateurs.' (The Telegraph)

 

To see so many actors of all ages and conditions, strolling, surging and streaming over the playing space is amazing...The mass images remain vivid in the memory: the heavenly host as whirling dervishes, Noah's Ark sailing through a sea of umbrellas... (Observer)

Remember this anyone?

First read-through

Who's nicked the stones?

You can't have a stoning without stones.  And the umbrellas for the flood are running low...

The Potters have been let loose for a week and what do the Carpenters find when we get back? Shortages that's what. 

'Eee, just like the war'!' we say as we fold our arms and shake our turbaned heads. 'Stones on the ration, who'd have thought it?'  Never thought we'd have to bring our own stones to the stoning, comes to something etc etc... 

It's a shock to the system, being back onstage after a nine-day break and we're summoned early for lots of reminders. As I drive into the car-park, I catch a glimpse of Barabbas, eating an ice-cream and I'm back in a familiar world. After the forecast of  heavy showers, we're all delighted and relieved that it's a balmy summer evening. In fact it's humid - so much so that our green room tent is unbearably hot, so we sit outdoors on the ruins, gossiping and flapping away the midges.

It's a full house tonight and we're buoyed up by the great reviews we've had. Damian and Paul remind us to keep it fresh and immediate and not to let the pace flag. We have a reputation for being quicker than the Potters and we want to keep it that way. In the event, we finish at 11.05 - not bad after a gap in performances of over a week. Someone's opening a book on what time we'll finish on Sunday, after seven consecutive shows - anyone care to place a bet?

On a more serious note, I must give credit to the wonderful choir and band. The music sets the mood so well and gives texture to the show. Here's a link to some of their work in rehearsal. I particularly like the lament after the crucifixion, which you can hear on Choir 4 via this link. It's beautiful.

http://www.yorkmysteryplays-2012.com/page/videos_and_podcasts.php

Eat your heart out Danny Boyle!

That's the subject line in an e-mail from my sister.

She came to the Carpenters' first show - the matinee on 4th August and she loved it.

Since then, I've had family members at all three shows we've done and the reaction was the same. I'm particularly proud that they all loved the crowd scenes.

Apparently, my son-in-law was initially not too struck with the idea of seeing an outdoor show, largely made up of amateurs on a rainy evening... funny that. Put like that, I can see his point of view. In the event, he was completely bowled over and even though we had to perform the first half (Sun eve 5th August) in our plastic ponchos, the second half when the glory of the costumes was fully revealed, more than made up for it.

When we take a bow, you can feel the energy and delight coming from the audience in waves, a few even stood to applaud. We did two shows on Saturday - our first two! Whoever planned that was determined to test us out. Then, on Sunday, only one - a piece of cake. We're all getting adept now at scurrying to Red 11 or Yellow 2, collecting the right props and putting them back in place. My nerve-racking bits are keeping in time with the washerwomen in the sheet-washing scene - and by the way, who stole a clean sheet the other day so Sandra and I had to share one(?) - and the harrowing of hell when I'm terrified of dropping my pole before the appointed time - so far so good and there's a fantastic clatter when they drop together. Damian says it's his favourite scene.

After the Sunday night show, the cry goes up, 'All shirts and blouses to the wash!'  I've said before I'm in awe of the costume people and the feeling only gets stronger.

I've just seen the cinematic trailer they've made of the production. It's truly stunning. Take a look.

Save the surprise

Well now we've got that other little event over...

Time for the real thing. We've haven't got her Maj doing a bit part as far as I know - but we've got most other things. Angels? Check. Animals? Check. Planets? Ok that's enough. Jude, the stage manager has told people to stop posting pictures and leaking info on Twitter etc from now on - so this blog has to be a bit tight-lipped so we don't spoil the surprise and we leave a few amazing things for the first audience to gasp at.

So if you're planning to come and see the show, let me just hint at a few things to look out for. I love the angels and their costumes, which I've seen in the sunshine of day and lit up at night. They spend quite a bit of time silhouetted against the arches of the abbey ruins and they look stunning. And I love the scene where the shepherds suddenly see the angels and the star and start whooping with amazement. Joseph, returning after fetching wood and seeing the baby for the first time: 'Mary, what sweet thing is that on thy knee?'

In the meantime, we're all knackered and some of us get grumpy with all the waiting around. I've told myself, it's more like being a film extra than being in a normal play. So the knitting and the crosswords are coming out. In fact, I've heard that one of the cast is knitting Ferdy (God/Jesus) a jumper. She's asked him to choose the style and colour and she's away! (I've heard she's doing one for Graeme (devil) as well. Suppose you can't leave him out just cos he's evil...)

Even Damian must be feeling a bit of stress - he's been the soul of patience and good humour throughout, but I heard him tell the line of gentle, well-behaved soldiers to get a move on: 'It's a slaughter, not a picnic!'

And if struggling cast members need a little inspiration, here's someone who made it good after appearing in the Mystery Plays. Judi Dench had to start somewhere.

Not long to go now - we open on Thursday - well they do. The Potters have the first show and we have the last.

'You're all responsible for your own socks!'

Janet, costume supremo, for York Mysteries 2012, speaks...

We don't argue - we wouldn't dare. We are all in awe of the work of the costume department.

Looking around at at the vast numbers of people and the detail of their costumes, we are completely bowled over. Anyone who had doubts about the concept of 40s/50s period dress at the start, has to agree - they look wonderful!

Here's my friend, Linda with her friend - looking like they've just scrubbed the step and are about to talk about 'er at number 37 '

What is impressing me so much about this production is that absolutely everyone is mucking in. When we finally get to do the tour of the stage for our Health and Safety briefing and to sort out our Red 11 entrances from our Yellow 2 exits - who should be knocking nails into the stage but Damian, the artistic director! He even looks the part in his high vis waistcoat. Later I spot Liz, the CEO of York Theatre Royal, carrying planks of wood across the backstage area... What next? God laying cables? It wouldn't surprise me.

It's tech rehearsal time and all seasoned actors whether pro or amateur, know what a pain that can be. Yesterday, all of us Carpenters were in costume by 6pm and finally got to make a brief entrance for 'Going to the Dogs' around 10pm. Thank God, it was a beautiful, sunny evening and we sat around on stone walls, gossiping, reading, doing crosswords, watching the skies darken and the shadows lengthen. We're a patient bunch.

Then we did it again and then we went home. Tonight, we're watching the Potters, with notebooks in hand. I'm looking forward to drinking in the spectacle and watching the angels dance.

The big tent

Sorry it's been so long!

First a long break, then four consecutive rehearsal nights, then the internet went down...

Now we're in the big tent - otherwise known as the rehearsal marquee.  This week we've been doing crowd scenes. I've learnt that there are four in Part One - the bit us reds and greens have been working on - but oh dear - there are eight in Part Two. So Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday went by in a bit of a rainy blur of aching legs, hasty scribbles and whispered remedies: 'Enter from Yellow 2, bustle about a bit and leave from Red 10'. Thanks to blue and yellow counterparts, Felicity and Julia for shoving me in the right direction on numerous occasions.

God and Satan - (Ferdy and Graham) - are really getting into their roles now. Whenever they have a moment's peace, they seem to be surrounded by a gaggle of teenage girls, eager for acting advice maybe - or possibly just drinking in a little borrowed fame and glory - and why not? The directors do lots of consulting, often with furrowed brow and probably the most frequent phrase is - 'No, we've changed that bit.' This leads to a certain amount of sighing in the ranks until Damian patiently explains; 'That's why we're rehearsing - to work on things until we get them right.'

Luckily, we haven't quite lost our sense of humour. On one of the many occasions that some of us can't remember or don't know which entrance to come in, Damian finally bellows: 'Okay! All the don't knows, come and stand over here in the naughty corner!' Suddenly, we're all laughing and everyone wants to be in the naughty corner.

And just when we might have forgotten what it's all about, we are escorted to see the site of the Mystery Plays 2012 taking shape. Here it is -  forget the Olympics - this is the real deal!

Meeting God face to face

The secret's out - we know his name - welcome Ferdy!

Or to give him his full title - Ferdinand Kingsley, the man who would be - no will be - God! (And Jesus and the Holy Ghost)

Damian introduces him to the ensemble and we go round saying our names. Poor man looks a little bemused as he's told he'll be tested later. He looks very like the popular notion of Jesus with his dark hair and beard and he's slim and slight. But he's also God and I hear his voice ring out as he intervenes in the human story:

Lo here, I say a maiden soon
Here on this mould where mankind dwell
Shall clear conceive and bear a son
And name his name Emmanuell'

It's a moment to cause shivers down the spine and as rehearsals continue, there are more and more of them.

It's been a busy week for the Carpenters - four rehearsals for me and I can sense the time approaching when my fellow cast members are going to feel like family. We've made a bit of progress this week and I've worked on the flood for the first time.

We were all told to choose a cloak type garment, labelled small, medium and large and in colours of blue, grey and green. You put your head through the hole in the top, hold your arms out and grab onto the next person in line. I stand on Square E5, having entered through yellow 2. Then you duck your head under the next person's garment, do a bit of arm waving, ducking and weaving - and with any luck, it looks like an amazing, all conquering flood from the audience's point of view!

The Herod scenes are really coming together. Here's a picture from Saturday's rehearsal when Herod is getting really grumpy...

He hates it when people disobey him.

Suits you Madam!

What would Elizabeth wear? Assuming she's around in the 40s/50s in Britain that is. The costume department have the answer and here it is:

Eyes wide shut

A rather fetching two piece and my daughter assures me that turbans are very 'now'  so that's all right. Sadly, my alter ego Elizabeth, alias Linda,  is distinctly slimmer round the waist than me so a bit of strategically placed elastic should ensure that we can both wear it. A rather lumpy cardigan thing and some black court shoes complete the look. I try out the shoes walking at speed as I'm reminded that the stage is huge. Not bad. I don't want to do a Naomi Campbell in front of 1,400 people, do I?

Acting by numbers

This is blocking as I've never done it before. There are laminated pieces of A4 laid out on the floor labelled B6 C7 etc. When you have hundreds of actors on a huge stage, everyone has to know where they're going. A voice calls out:

'39 and 21 enter Red 7'

 '21 exit Red 9'

'40 enters C3, crosses stage left'
'D3 door shuts on Mary and Joseph'

It's all starting to make sense, though there some funny moments:
Director to Joseph, 'What are you doing?'
Joseph, 'I'm acting!'

Most of the time, I'm not acting but watching as they work out a scene I'm not in. I forgot to bring a good book, so I chat to others and keep an eye on proceedings. 

Here's Ruth and Eileen catching up... We all treat Ruth with great respect - the only woman we know who's ever played God in the Mystery Plays!

I'm in Japhet's gang - May 15th

So keep walking in a diagonal direction and remember who you're with.

It's easy really so how come I ended up with Ham's group? It won't happen again. Today I'm with my new Potter partner - who turns out to be Linda from my French class - isn't York like that? We've also got the kids and under Damian's direction, we turn into families, living normal lives. Some are making bread, others teaching or weeding the fields - it's amazing how we become snapshots of everyday life before the alarm spreads when soldiers appear to round us up.

The scenes we're rehearsing are 'Humanity goes to the dogs' and 'The journey to Bethlehem'. I am part of a long line of women washing bloodstained clothing symbolising humanity going to the dogs. It's an arresting image and I'm sure it will be one of many to surprise and affect the audience.

Rumours are flying around about who will play God/Jesus. Lots of famous names are mentioned but the good news is that we hear that the announcement is coming soon, very soon. We also hear that already about a third of the tickets have been sold - better get the family tickets organised!

Meet the family - Tuesday 8th May

We've been rehearsing for about a month now - those with speaking parts large and small...

Mine's small - I play Elizabeth, Mary's cousin and mother of John the Baptist in the Bible - and Mary's best mate/protector in this play. Today, we meet the others from the ensemble - that's what we used to call the crowd -  and we're all in it. I'm a Carpenter with a red tee shirt - bear with me - all will become clear.

There seem to be hundreds of us and we're only the Reds! There are 3 more teams like us - thank God the stage is going to be huge. Today's task is to sort out the stage after the flood. Noah's ark has to be removed and then we form into lines shuffling forward like refugees. Soldiers appear from nowhere and start barking orders.They're calling out for men and boys to be pulled from the line - there's a sudden horrific echo to me at least - of the massacres at Srebrenice and among the laughter of a large crowd of people trying to get themselves organised, I shiver.

Eventually, we mange to get to the right place with Damian marshalling us. That's him in the picture but that's obviously not me, even though she's wearing a red tee shirt cos she's a Potter and I'm a Carpenter. See? Told you it was easy. We're given a plan of the stage with its colour coded entrances and exits and squares labelled Blue 5 and Yellow 3 and the like. There are sub stage ramps and seating banks and it all makes perfect sense - to the directors at least. I need to study it.