As this, the last week of rehearsal unfolds, we are ironing out the singing impurities and ramping up the volume, and as the picture suggests, after four hours of unremitting work, that the cast, love this show.
It is smiles all around and we are almost primed to give our best. There is an element of Billy Smarts circus, the roar (like a lion) of laughter after the quick witted ad- lib by our resident comedienne on tap, Jean. The crazy inventiveness of our technicians with the props, the chugging clown’s car that falls apart comes to mind.
What really shines out, is the part you don’t see. Our Billy Smart, our resident ringmaster, smart, being the operative word, he is this accumulative creative experience. A little bit about Mark , the one in the white t-shirt at the front (not too much as it would embarrass him) .
He has written the script, produced it and directed this show. In his quiet moments he has written five books, and his highly acclaimed artwork is on display in the local gallery.
Mark Feakins with his imaginative ability, makes this production work. His deft hand at merging cast skills into trios and duets and outrageously funny comic scenes out of nothing that the script suggests. It’s all in his magic wand.
Everyone in the cast cannot thank him enough and yet he does this with a gentle a understanding wit that makes it easy, but demands our attention to the task in hand.
Billy Smarts circus wouldn’t be the same without its star act, Martin Scattergood (the one in the black t-shirt at the front) is our graceful and languid dancer, (forget Fred Astaire) our high wire singer that has the ability to hold the show together with his brilliant timing and musicality.
Watch out for his long-lasting notes that end several of the songs he sings, I tried to time them but the battery on my stopwatch went dead. And yes, I am very jealous of this man’s incredible talent, but as he is kind to me, I forgive him. Thank you for your spell binding performances in rehearsals, I am sure the audiences will be remembering you, long after the show has finished.
Studio 32 would love this show to be a complete sell out, it nearly is, but there are some tickets available for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances.
Thank you to all of you who supported us year after year. Without your support, we would not be able to give so generously to charities. Our most recent donation of 1000 euros has already been sent to the Valencia flood appeal.
