A job finished!

So the LX job is now over - been a while since the LX has been the ONLY thing I have had to do on a show!

Show went well, very well received, and besides a few quiet nights, the audiences were good.

My lighting design, which did get very expressionist at times, appears to be quite well approved of, which is good since it was my first design as a member of the Crescent - hopefully lead to many more!

5 Star Review

YAY, a 5 Star review for the production!

http://www.behindthearras.com/slim.html#Mary_Stuart

It is a very good review indeed, and a quick reference to the lighting is a rare mention for LX design!

Dead chuffed with that!

Oh, shine shine shine!

It has been such fun being an LX designer again without all the other jobs to do at the same time.  Seems to have gone well too - lighting  a thrust stage in a studio, with very little give for angles.

Still, a few extra perks I have added in have impressed the director and actors, which is always good.  We had a photographer in today too, taking snaps of the dress rehearsal.  He was impressed with the lighting but pointed out that some stuff from the sides was a bit dark.

How do you take that?  Well, graciously, and from a photographer, you really do listen to their feedback - they understand lighting and balance, so critical feedback gratefully received and will certainly act on it.  Nevertheless, tomorrow is an evening off!  A well deserved break!

My Doors, doors, doors...

Them there bigguns what I built for that there "A Doll's House" are being used again in another show!   How cool is that?!  I built something that is being used more than once without resulting in anyone's death!  Hehe!

So much fun in LX!

It's been a long time since I have ONLY been an LX designer for a show, rather than being a "jack of all trades" for every show.

It feels like I have an eternity to consider the lighting and um and ahhh about colours, angles, cues, and the what-not.  I've attended rehearsals to watch and get some ideas for design - but that is ALL I have had to do in the rehearsals. I don't need to run around and chase things up!

All I have to do now is work with a desk I haven't used in a long while, so my brain needs to switch on a wee bit, and learn how to patch all the stuff in the studio.  Still, all very much fun!

Rock on "Mary Stuart"

Apparently I'm an expert!

Stranger things have happened, I know!  But now I am introduced to people at theatre as someone who does set building.  Come on, let's be honest, I am far from a proper set builder - can just use my brain and solve problems.  But I am not a "builder" as such, and would never claim to have the kind of skills that proper carpenters/set builders have.

Don't get me wrong, it is flattering, but I think the next thing I need to do at the theatre needs to be lighting or something more design based!

Doors, doors, doors....

A successful day today, even if I do say so myself.  Worked with a lovely chap at the theatre solving the problem of how to hang those 8x3 doors I had to make - but onto metal-framed flats that cannot be screwed into.

Nifty bit of carpentry (from two major amateurs!) and a nice, strong frame now holds the doors up.  Ironically, the metal flats have been bolted to the floor that is wonky, badly affecting the levelling of the doors....but a dead chuffing build today!

Changelings!

Sets, I mean.  So, the idea is the same, but now we have an extra 2 walls, an extra door, and everything has now mysteriously gained 6'' in height!  Fickle directors and designers always work hard to make our lives easier!

Still, battle on...

I'm off to go the theatre, the wonderful theatre of Brum! (To the tune from Oz!)

So, today I am off to the theatre to plan the set build and look at materials we have.

In a moment of reflection I have just realised something...the last time I worked with a team on a production was in 2004.  Since then I have either had to work alone on entire productions, or worked in a school that is filled with so many self-centred, brain dead morons that I was pretty much made to work alone.  It was pleasure working with the "old hat" of lighting in my last school though, and we shared many opinions on the other pathetic personalities we had to endure.

NOW, I am genuinely very excited to be working with a team who share a passion for theatre, and to work with so many people from whom I can learn a lot!

I'm almost giddy!

Shock Horror

No, not just a random exclamation - but the name of the show I am composing the score for.

An interesting little comic musical that parodies Edgar Allen Poe's well known narratives.  Many fabulous scenes and quirky little sense of humour dotted all over the place.

And an interesting score to compose too - from rock numbers to ballads...will be a great show when it is finished.

More details to follow!!!

Joining the Crescent Theatre

How exciting!  I joined to get more involved in theatre outside work and have now landed myself my first "job" there.

Even though my specialism is more in the writing, directing, composing, lighting, and such, I have done a fair bit of set building so I went along to offer my support.  Now...I'm in charge of the whole build!!!

Should be great fun though - great designer to work with and a set that is within my grasp.

Oh, and the show?  "A Doll's House", 11th-18th September.

Welcome to Colin's Theatrical Adventures

Well, now that I have joined the world of Blog I thought: "Why not have a blog all about my theatrical endeavours and adventures?"

Answer...I don't know why not, and I wouldn't want to not do it and risk not having something that I didn't otherwise have opportunities to not do before...

...and it's best not to be negative about it all...

Now...to begin...