The Cecilian Society

Chorus Notes 21/02/08

Generally the show is looking amazing - keep up the good work. Keep you concentration high on Sunday, I want everything to be as good as it can be. When you are on stage / in the wings please be quiet, the noise currently in ridiculous. Also, when you are not on stage on Sunday please be quiet and don't mess around as it is very distracting, both for Gregor and the people on stage. If you want to talk please leave the room.

Please bring all costumes on Sunday and any props you have agreed to provide.

Ballad of Sweeney Todd

People on the S/R side of the stage need to spread right back to the platform, you were all clumped in the middle of the stage and Merty was right up at the back by herself. Be more aware of your spacing when on stage.
Matt and Ben we will need to practice the timing of your entrance in the theatre as I think it will take a lot longer than it has before.
Make sure that you are not standing in front of the oven - there should be a gap where it is. I know it was hard last night as it wasn’t marked out but be aware of where it is when getting into opening positions.
When you are raising your hands on Sweeney make sure that you raise them straight up in the air. Some people were only raising them half-way which just looks messy, everyone must be doing the same thing.

Dock Scene.

Come straight on pretty much as soon as you have gone off after the Ballad of Sweeney Todd. Wear your prostitute / sailor costumes in the Ballad of Sweeney Todd as you won’t have time to change.
Boys, do you have sailor costumes. All you need is a dark sweater and a dark beanie of some sort.
Background acting was the best it’s ever been, looks so much better in the bigger amount of space. Just remember to use all the space but was very good. Thanks for shielding Claire Julie and Laura. This was also the only time people have really interacted with the fisher people, those who did it looked really good.
Don’t be afraid to come further forward on the stage, you were all staying really far back last night. You can come as far forward as you want as long as you aren’t interfering with the principals.
It would be good if more people could go off a bit later as everyone disappeared really early in the scene and we were left with only a couple of people on the stage plus the principals which looked quite odd.

Poor Thing Ballet

Was looking the best it ever has last night, just make sure that you are clear what is going on at all points. Concentrate and look over before Sunday.
We will practice Amy coming off the platform as many times as we can when we are in the theatre to make sure no-one gets hurt.
Everyone must be aware of where Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett are at all times and make sure that you don’t block them.

My Friends

Specialist singers come in on “You’ll soon drip precious rubies” so that you are ready to sing as soon as Alex has said his line.

Green Finch and Linnet Bird Scene

Amanda – watch you don’t miss your cue. Last night was the first time that it has happened so just make sure that you are concentrating. Other than that the timing and diction of your dialogue is perfect
Chorus, you can use more space in this scene generally. You can come slightly more S/R, just as long as you aren’t too close to the Judge’s mansion. You were clumping a bit again last night towards the end of the scene.
Market sellers try to sell stuff to Anthony as he comes in.

Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir

Reactions to Matt is this were brilliant.
Make sure you don’t stamp you feet to hard as we sometimes can’t hear the singing over it. Do the action, but don’t put all you weight into the stamp.
If any girls still have their hampers from Oklahoma can you use them at the start of this scene.
Girls must wear supportive bras as in the bits where you are jumping about there was a lot of bouncing last night.

The Contest

Colin Dobie, can you grow in stubble for this so that it looks like you need a shave.
Kenny, look a bit more pleased to be getting a free shave from a master barber, last night you were looking a little lost. You must also wear the fake beard on Sunday so Alex can practice taking it off you.
Ben Galloway – Man With Cap is brilliant. Think you are a definite candidate for scene stealing bastard,
Dobie – you must remember to take the chair off at the end of the contest. If he forgets can Josh do it.

Ballad

Everyone must have their hands by their sides. A few people had them clasped in front of them.
Cat McAleer – don’t look so worried after you sing your line. It sounds fine, even if you think it has gone wrong stay straight faced.
Everyone needs to spread out more. There was a huge clump of people S/R and hardly anyone S/L or in the centre.

God That’s Good

This was the best it has ever been. Make sure that you don’t forget to stand up on the first “More Hot Pies” as this is the one that most people miss. The blocking for this is in my notes for last week. Please look over this before Sunday

Johanna

Deaths are great. Ben, you’re so consistent in your character of Man With Cap – it’s great. We will practice the disposal of bodies in the theatre so you know where you going.

Outside Asylum

Josh – don’t come on till Andy has blown his whistle and don’t go after Rooney till he gives you the nod. It was looking a little messy last night.

Quintet

You must be right at the front of the stage. Don’t look so worried, it is sounding great

City on Fire

The Sweeney’s at the start were terrible. When this is right it is effective and creepy. The tableau of the asylum looks great, and everyone is doing such good stuff that is would be a shame for this scene to be spoiled by the singing going wrong. Concentrate.
Josh – your reactions to Rooney and Fogg touching Johanna were great.
You must be silent when you go off. There must be no talking as the audience will hear it and it will distract their attention from what’s going on on stage.

Judge’s Death

Don’t forget your Ballad after the Judge’s death. You will be in the wings so may not be able to see Gregor. I have asked Nicky to cue you as she knows when exactly it comes in. Pay attention to her.