We caught up with Grace and Mat, two of our musical directors (Rachel being our third). We discussed their thoughts and insights into our rehearsal process. See Video below.
Podcast #3: Costumes, Set and all things Stage
We caught up with Sorcha, Molly and Gabby to see how the backstage and production elements for ‘Electrified’ were progressing. (Enjoy our upside down selfie!).
Cruel Electricity that Gives so Strong a Light
Act 1, Scene 4, is our ‘Ugly Light’ scene. In this scene, our dancers of the Savoy Theatre see their faces under the harsh electric light for the first time. Our set and lighting designer – a performance design student, Molly – has been experimenting with ways in which we could portray this song in an alternative way. Here are some words from Molly:
“It was just a thought based on an idea I used in another project, but I wanted to take it further and mix it with the narrative of the song. It was inspired by the mix of lights and mirrors. I had to play with it to see if it worked as I hadn’t used it with choreography before. I think it needs working on but there us potential there, especially when specifically highlighting the faces. I used haze to dramatise the rays of light, enabling it to be emphasised and seen clearer on the stage… the reflections look a lot stronger! It’s just a more theatrical and exciting way to depict the issues with the light than just having standard stage lights in the space… we shall see though!! It was difficult but there will be ways around it! As for the ballerina, it was inspired through how I saw this overall scene. I see the ballerinas discussing in a smaller space down stage whilst the ballerina is elegantly lit towards the back… like a fading memory. Along with the set I have designed I want this to be a beautiful moment. Using the torchlight and haze was an idea inspired by a dance I saw at Light Night. Beautiful thing to try out! Amy did a great job dancing!!! Again, needs more work choreographing the light and body together… the light becomes part of the dance!”
Photo 1: Experimenting with mirrors and Spotlights.
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Photo 2: Amy under the reflection of light.
Photo 3: Katie startled by the cruel electric light.
Photo 4: Our Production Manager Sorcha at the tech desk.
Photo 5: Experimenting with silhouettes for the ballet.
Photo 6: Working progress.
Podcast #2: Education and Improvisation
In this podcast, we catch up with Sophie Massa: Performer and Education officer for Electrified. We discuss the eduational outreach element of the show and discuss rehearsal processes. Bedding music: The Splendour: Black Noise
Week 3 Vlog
Below is the Vlog for week 3 of rehearsals. (N.B in this video, rehearsal footage is taken from ‘Ugly Light’ and not ‘The New Electric Light’)
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Electrified
Podcast #1 ‘The Layered Approach’
In our first podcast, Rhiannon and Mark catch up with co-writers Dan and Emily who discuss how improvising during the workshop process help them to develop their script. We also discuss the music within rehearsal and how stimulus have helped to devise scenes such as ‘Ugly Light’.
Meet the Cast and Crew #1
In this video, we meet performer and marketer, Ben Eccles, Assistant Producer and Performer, Lottie Bourne and Co-Writer and Performer, Dan Newby. We ask about their experience in the first few weeks of rehearsals and also gain some insight into the musical process of rehearsals. … Continue reading Meet the Cast and Crew #1
Week 2 in Pictures
Electrified is now in its second week, and we have completed a brief plot outline of Act One. Our tutors Dr. George Rodosthenous and Dr. Tony Gardener asked us to show a 10 minute version of Act One just to get a gist of how the story line is intended to flow. We also experimented with ways in which the whole cast could be on stage during a duet, and improvised a scene in which Beatrix teaches her younger sister Gwendolyn how to be a lady.
Photo A: Beatrix teaches Gwendolyn how to be the perfect wife.
Photo B: Our fairies experiment with how they are going to portray the ‘Ugly Light’ song.
Photo C: By using metatheatre, we are using Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe to showcase the Savoy Theatre’s first use of the electric light. Pictured here is a scene where the fairies lust after a mortal man.
Photo D: Here the cast are learning “Tripping Hither” with our Musical Director Rachel, a song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe.
End of Week Summary
The cast and creatives of Electrified the Musical ended this week with a pleasant amount of progress made.
On Friday’s session, the company discussed casting and structure of the show. Act one now has an initial plot of seven scenes and the cast have started to devise a short run through of the act in order to visually assist the creatives in terms of set, structure, staging and direction.
The second company song, ‘The New Electric Light’ was performed to supervising tutors, Dr George Rodosthenos and Dr Tony Gardner. Feedback form this session was positive, with particular reference to the use of harmonies within the cast.
As the session progressed, the cast continued to discuss casting through the operation of a preference system. The writing team has worked hard to create a performance role for the entire ensemble. A creative decision was made for females to not portray males within the story, and the characters will be based on real people based on our stimulus from texts such as ‘Domesticating Electrcitiy’.
As a means to progress, the company will now continue to devise a quick run through of act one whilst developing the cast list.
Electrified: A New Musical 