Part Two
The final week.
With Sunday’s epic feat over, instead of a day off, we had PIGS to perform on the Monday. We took over our kitchen and the weird downstairs common room (underground, no natural light, and on entry, you could usually spy someone in a wolf costume, or a wedding dress, or a group of noisy American students frantically rehearsing, or someone curled up on one of the uncomfortable sofas with a sleeping bag, desperately trying to snatch some sleep.) and set about rehearsing, keeping to a strict schedule! We were really lucky to have three of the writers, Alan Pollock, Tim Price and Debbie McAndrew with us and great with so little time for them to be able to give valuable insight into their plays. 2.30pm saw a rehearsal of them all, we finished reading in the weird common room at 3.20, and were due to start at the Pleasance Dome at 3.30pm. A speedy journey to the Dome and the actors were straight into it! It was a really brilliant event- the five plays all very different but sat together extremely well. We heard a quiet and contemplative piece about two soldiers awaiting their fate, a boisterous take on the three little pigs story, a farce involving a large parmesan, a heartbreaking monologue about a boy recovering from a crash which killed his best mates, and a tale of love, sacrifice and revenge, told over the cooking of a joint of meat. These plays were a result of a writers’ week that we held at Pentabus back in March, and it was such a pleasure to hear in more detail what had been ideas, snippets, early thoughts, at the end of that week.

The readings over with, and it was back to Origins, and British Council Showcase week. Now officially a Plat du Jour, Pentabus were invited to attend daily British Council breakfasts, which started at 9am, and allowed for artists, delegates and British Council members to meet, drink coffee, and hopefully have those important conversations which might lead to an international tour, or a future collaboration, or just allow for meetings that might not otherwise happen. Being a Plat Du Jour meant that our show was one of about nine, whose details were put up on a big board by the entrance, as something extra for the delegates to be tempted by during their (incredibly packed) visit. A fantastic opportunity. And I have to say, I was absolutely terrified arriving for our first breakfast! Hundreds of people milling around, either leafing through brochures, confidently chatting over tea and pastries, or scanning the room to find who was worth talking to. We all had to wear name badges, and you had to quickly get used to people looking at the badge before looking at your face, and either moving swiftly on (you were not on their hit list of people to talk to!) or choosing to engage in a conversation. It was hugely exciting to be in a room full of so many different organizations, artists, festivals, artistic directors, but also pretty daunting. How on earth does one begin to talk to people? I found hovering by the food table pretty useful. Conversations about the food on offer seemed pretty do-able. What will come of these breakfasts is yet to be known. Several people came to see Origins as a result, so we shall see……

Meanwhile, the show continued, audiences were lovely, Sam and the company continued to learn each other’s rhythms, regular contact was had with Harry (who was recovering well but was getting very bored!), drinks were had (of course) more shows were seen and all of a sudden it was our final night. A highly civilized curry and discussions of everyone’s highlights and lowlights of the past month. Then the final show, a sad farewell to the marvelous Sam Taylor, and then into a taxi towards Edinburgh airport. Wonderful stage management were staying up to do the get out the next day. So it was farewell and so long Edinburgh, and onwards to Shrewsbury and Theatre Severn……. Where I am now writing this blog. I am sitting in one of the dressing rooms (yes, there are many, they are clean, spacious, organized, a much needed contrast to the chaos of Edinburgh!). The set has just gone up, Caroline is busy tending to various props that need a bit of tlc, Joni is ironing the costumes, lights are being rigged, it is a hive of activity. But an air of calm remains. It is good. Everything made it safely down from Edinburgh, apart from a key prop, which mysteriously ‘disappeared’ from the venue. I don’t want to give away what it is, but safe to say I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to make off with it. Apart from that, we are all intact. The actors arrive tomorrow, after which we have a photo shoot, and then we begin tech.
That is all for now!