The Cecilian Society

Hello all, please take the time to read the below notes. Cheers.



Notes from Daly and Fieldhouse

Prelude

Girls need to walk forward and raise their arms at the same time (walk, walk, walk stamp stamp). It’s looking sloppy at the moment as a couple of you aren’t doing this.

Everyone needs to show more expression throughout the prelude. SMILE! We need this, so that when the sinister music begins there is a noticeable change of atmosphere.

Dancer’s heads in the first section still aren’t together. Kathryn is doing it right, practice this when you all have a moment together.

When in your final poses, please make sure that the two front groups are at the edges of the stage, and the two back groups can be seen in the middle of them.

Remember! When you are in your final poses, your head is up. Listen to the music for your cue to lower your heads. This needs to be at the same time as everyone else in your group. If needed, nominate a head “head leader” to follow.

Don’t make a stupid face if you make something wrong. Chances are the audience won’t notice a mistake, but if your face is all “blergh” then they certainly will.

David, you were looking a lot more confident tonight during the prelude. Keep up the good work.

Chorus Of Soldiers

You all need to be snappier when saluting to Colin. You should all, by now, know when he will be entering. Even though you’re meant to all be “Oh shit, he’s here” and running into place, some of you aren’t there when he does arrive, and some of you are too busy being distracted by props in your way. If this happens on the night, salute where you are in the direction of Bryce. Even if an elephant is in your way on the night of the show, ignore it and don’t acknowledge it. It’s meant to be there.

Make sure that you put the table on in character.

The V from the Archway was good, but David, you need to make sure you aren’t directly behind someone. If you’re unsure about the spacing, go over this in the dressing room. PLEASE ensure you salute at the same time, it is looking a tad bit sloppy.

During the dialogue with Micaela, try and be centre stage. Marion pulled you into these positions during the run tonight, keep it where you were placed.

Colin Bryce, you seem to be growing into your character more and more each day, you’re doing an awesome job. Woop.




Only Smoke

Specialist dancers, make sure you are centre stage. Everyone else make sure you use up stage left. We saw a few you walking into the dancers routine, and this can be prevented by being spatially aware.

When you’re wandering during this, if you bump into someone, see the elephant above.

If you have read thus far, go to Amy and Sarah and shake their hand at the end of reading the notes. This is necessary..

Habenera

Dancers + Carmen section – make sure that you are centre stage. Look for the ginger headed man, he is your marker. Susanne and Louise, you should be either side of Gregor.

Steph and Louisa – learn the steps, and do them with conviction. Remember shoulders back. Also, smile.

Chorus, can a few of you now fill the gap behind the dancers routine with Carmen, as is looking cramped on either side.

You need to make sure that Carmen can see Don Jose across the stage. Front line, this is up to you to make sure this happens. If you are far too forward, then this won’t be able to happen.

Yasmin and Sandy, can you practice the partner stealing, but Yasmin you did a great “saunter off” when you first left Sandy, Deftly avoiding Ben and Susanne.

Susanne, you’re great at coming right to the front in the dancer section. Make sure that you’re completely central. Look out for the ginger man. (BTW, not a random one, but Gregor)


On the clap bringing your hands up to the middle, remember it ends in a stamp as well.

Fight Scene

Even if you are last to run on, do it with as much energy as the first people do. The last few of you took too long and had no energy.

Please try to look serious throughout this. We can tell when you’re trying not to laugh.

Boys, please be careful during this scene. Remember you’re wearing shoes and the girls aren’t, the pain would be like an elephant treading on their feet.

Make sure that you remember to part at the door as blocked tonight.



Habenera Reprise

Once again there were people running to be on stage as they weren’t prepared for this scene beginning. There are running orders in both dressing rooms and the green room. It is not our responsibility to tell you when to be on stage, it is your responsibility. I don’t want to be shouting at people to get on stage again.

Rooney, can you walk towards Andy a tad bit sooner, as this was lost a little in the fade out. You did it right, but just a little sooner.

Gipsy Air

Remember you are frozen. There are still a couple of people moving about. You might think that it’s only a small movement, but when everyone around you is frozen, you stick out like a sore thumb. Or an Elephant on speed.

SMILE!!



Amy and Victoria, the clap after the table slam was perfect. Energy was better tonight but I could do with more in your little dance.

The first half of the dance (before 123floor56) is so quiet, it’s weird. Like a dead elephant. Obviously we can’t drown out the singing, but the occasional woop/laugh would be good.

While the dancers are doing their dance, try and use more of the sides of the stage. You’re meant to be watching the dance, so get into a position where you can see it. You can also be nearer and acknowledge the singers.

Steph and Louisa – make sure you know the dance. Ask the others/Amy if you’re unsure.

Toreador’s song

Boys make sure that you interact more with each other. Keep close together in the V, know who you should be behind.

David – much better, could still be a bit more over the top. Remember, you’re mostly an arrogant prick. Mostly.

Come follow us

Middle two lines need to cross quicker.

On “Best of All” you need to close in together. Tonight it was looking sloppy.

Rob, you could show a bit more enthusiasm.

General Notes

We could hear what sounded like a herd of elephants charging backstage, on scene changes etc. Be quiet. If you’re wearing heels, walk on your tiptoes to avoid sounding like a tap dancing elephant. The audience did not pay for that.

Please look back over these notes and count how many times “Elephant” (including that one) is used. Then tell us. Tell anyone that you have to do this to save them reading the notes and you will be a shitter. These notes are meant to be read, yes we may be delirious, but they are still relevant notes, so don’t spoil it. Please. Add this onto the other instruction when you come find us. Thanks.

Do things with conviction.

Remember – try not to kick the floor microphones.

If you need props, it is your responsibility. Laura Bauld, can you make sure you go see the makeup girls for your gash. *snigger*

Remember for tonight during Risky our Game, in the big circle always turn over your right shoulder and make sure you know your footing, especially if you’re in the front line. Also, spread out in the big circle. We will see tonight just how much space we have.

If you have any questions, please find one of the production team. If we look busy, then find another. Dancing wise, you can always ask Kathryn or Lucy. They’re very friendly….well, Lucy is.

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Damn, I aint tryin' to sucker noone mofo.