Time out from Dazzle! rehearsals at Bowness on Solway Primary

Four weeks to curtain up...

Director's Dispatch No 4: by Chris Rafferty, Bowness on Solway

Monday
A short script run-through this morning before a full afternoon concentrating on the dance moves. Pat, a very modest but fantastic artist who can turn silver into gold, gets busy with painting the “Test Your Strength” stall and coconut shy. School water colour paint does a great job!

Tuesday
Working with the Lower Junior class preparing pre-show announcements for use on the PA.

A short script practice after taking cast photos for the programme.

At the end of the day, a run-through of the songs showed the mini Dazzlers chorus needed more practice at holding their line while the main cast put in the harmony.

An updated version of show software arrived, which will allow the sound effects on the Ghost Train scene to be used to maximum effect!

Wednesday
A few items in today’s post… some giant plastic eggs to be converted  into coconuts for the shy, along with a roll of shiny gold sticky tape to create Murgy’s Harrods’ broom.

Lunchtime on the phone to the AV company from whom we hire equipment. Plans for additional flood-lighting shelved as distances would have created hot spots. Back to the drawing board.

Afternoon spent on the songs, with our singing teacher Naomi joining me. Some chorus work but also taking time to work with the soloists. Dropping the key a tone helped Skimpy, half a tone for Murgy’s “Reasonable Man”.

Added cast photos to programme.

Thursday
A full run-through the script in the second half of the morning, with attention to when to start the background music for Fred’s fall from the Big Wheel.

The children were delighted when the “Aaaargh” came just at the right moment.

Followed by an afternoon in Class 3, with recording of PA announcements to complete.

The cast’s Dazzle Bags to complete. (To be used by each performer to carry on their Dazzle outfit at show opening).

Friday
Year 6 have a cycling session, plan is to have time with some of the Year 5 soloists including Skimpy and Wagener. Time also possible with Mini Dazzlers.

Saturday
Electrician on site looking at finishing improvements to school Emergency Lighting.

Need to check lighting on the big wheel!

Director’s Dispatch 5:  Counting down...