by Priscilla

Apr.28, 2009, under Producer's Blog

The show is now in full swing, but there is still quite a lot of the work for the cast to do outside the performances. Getting the show up and running is a huge job that’s often done in a very short space of time, and we have a limited time for the cast to get used to wearing their bras and heels, which comes more easily to some. The majority of prep time was spent getting the principles in the cast ready for the show and they are now performing brilliantly. There has been the odd error, but in general the show is a well oiled machine, much like Priscilla herself.

But as everyone knows things can change, cast get injured, ill or take holidays and unfortunately we are legally obliged to let them go!  So Graham our resident director has been working tirelessly over the last few weeks with the understudies so that when the need arises, they can step seamlessly into the heels of Jason, Tony, Oliver and alike. It’s been great to watch each of the actors bring something new to the role when they play it. Praise has to go to them for slogging away, learning new roles in the day, whilst reverting back to their ensemble roles for the evening performance.

Understudy Dress Rehearsal

Last week we had a full dress rehearsal with the understudies and I think everyone involved in the show is confident that when the time comes for them to take over, the show will not suffer at all. They also have a new found appreciation for how difficult it is for Jason, Tony and Oliver to perform on a daily basis, particularly when it comes to the 13 costume changes that have to be done in lightening quick time.

This week we had Stephen Fry, come to see the show. It is great when other people in the industry come to the show and really love it. We’ve been lucky enough to have had Michael Ball and Whoopi Goldberg among others enjoy the show as well. Stephen loved the show and was kind enough to meet the cast and have his photograph taken with them afterwards. It gives all the cast and crew a real buzz when someone like Stephen heaps praise on the show and everyone’s hard work. Long may that continue!