The Final Show

For me the show was a really successful evening, in terms of the backstage area and how the script came across to the audience. As Deputy Stage Manager on the show, it was my job to ensure that the difficult or time consuming tasks were done as quick as possible so that the Stage Manager and Production Manager were able to rig the lights and lighting cues without taking too much time. The biggest time consuming task that was needed was to build the bed and move all the props from the cupboard to the stage. I managed to successfully ensure that all props and staging were set up without being an inconvenience to the other workers.

I also created two props tables which were labelled for the props positioning on either side of the stage, before the actors came in to begin rehearsing so they were able to rehearse with the props in the places they will be on the night. This is essential as it gets the actors used to working for the night, so they don’t panic and it also limits the chances of prop being lost.

As I was in the show in a couple of scenes it also meant that I was unable to cue the technical rehearsal which I was disappointed with, however I knew that my role within the production was, albeit small, a vital role to set the scenes and atmosphere for the audience.

For the blood, I decided to use both honey and cornflower in the separate scenes to achieve the best effect. We decided to apply the blood on the Snow Child before she was carried on to the stage and cover her legs with a cloth or coat. This reduced the risk of the audience seeing the Count or the Snow Child applying the blood during the scene. Whereas the difficulties facing the applying of blood for the Count and the Piano Tuner were greater and I had to think of imaginative ways for the actors to apply it themselves whilst being watched by the audience.

I created a cling filmed package for the Piano Tuner which was full of blood. If he squeezed the package and burst the cling film, the honey would then pour out of his hands and through his fingers therefore giving the illusion that the blood is coming from his stab wound. Whereas with the Count I placed some of the Cornflower made blood into a small toner bottle which was easily hid on the Count so he was able to drink the blood on stage whilst he was on the floor after being stabbed the first time.

The show it self was fantastic, the audience were receptive to the script, which is another plus for me personally as I was one third of the scriptwriting team, but also the actors seemed to give more to their roles in front of an audience. I was able to raise the angel in a smooth and eerie manner and nothing went wrong backstage in terms of props on the night. I believe that we have managed to produce a piece of theatre which has been different both visually and within the storyline. Also knowing that we have developed this piece ourselves is an achievement for us also as we are the first and only group of people that will ever perform this script and produce this work.

Robert Bull