First day of rehearsals. Beautiful sunshine. Pentabus rehearsal room. The whole team gathered around a huge table. Hobnobs and tea. James, Rob, Titch and Orla were been busy all last week prop buying and set building and visiting locations/events mentioned in the play, so we shared the room with the basic structure of the set and a variety of odds and ends that might be useful to play with once we start getting the play on its feet. After some introductions and a top up of tea, the actors read it through for the first time. A fantastic first read, getting a sense of the broad range of characters, accents and locations and the rhythm and pace of the piece. James talked us through the model box, describing how the structure of the set can be adapted to work in fully equipped theatres, and also tiny little village halls. The play follows Brian and his family getting ready to hold a fete and there is an idea that as local produce and white elephant stalls are assembled, the random objects you might find at a fete are used to create the many different locations as we chart the journey from Crouch End to Docklow Manor. James and Alex have some brilliant ideas about using light and colour to change the atmosphere and Benet, a Ludlow based musician is coming up with some original music.

After lunch, a production meeting, and a bit of discussion about Herefordshire, Docklow Manor, London vs rural, the politics of the country…. Then another readthrough, this time stopping every time anyone had a question to ask Nick. A field trip has been arranged for Wednesday, we will go to an auction, to visit Brian at Docklow Manor, and then round things up with a (research based) drink in the Kings Head.

A very productive and exciting first day. Everyone disappeared off to continue to aquaint themselves with the delights of Ludlow (basically Tescos as nothing else is open in Ludlow beyond 6pm). I attempted to cycle back in the dark, with lights that did not really live up to their name (completely rubbish) and decided that I would not do that again.