by “a secret source within the rehearsal hall”
What’s it like being an actor in The Henrys? A little like being on the march to Agincourt. Hurry-up-and-wait… Stay focused for hours on end… give your captain your full respect and attention.
What I have learned in the past 5 weeks:
- If you give the rehearsal your full focus, even when you’re not on stage, that care and attention will all come back to you.
- It is just as hard to listen and react on stage as it is to have all the lines and be in the spotlight.
- Referring to 2 above: you can learn a lot by shutting your mouth and observing Ray Dooley.
- Bring your imagination to the role / the scene, but listen to Joe and Michael; they will give you gold.
- Everyone is a soft touch for Tug, the PRC dog.
- PlayMakers is the most supportive arts organization I have had the pleasure to work with; actors, designers, admin staff… everyone counts.
What should the audience watch for in The Henrys? Something struck me about three weeks into rehearsal. In one particular rehearsal I was living with Falstaff and Hal. These characters only exist as theatrical creations, and after years of reading them / reading about them, there they were, in the flesh. It was a magical moment; one that can only be experienced when you have really good actors doing the work. I can’t wait for audiences to reach this same point of realization, as I am sure they will with all elements of The Henrys.
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