On the Homefront- Week Nine

DRESS REHEARSAL!
Nine weeks ago we started out with only a concept for a show and our knowledge of the Second World War. A lot has happened since then; ideas have come and gone and material has been created through script and improvisation until we reached this point. Yesterday was the final week before the performance and that meant only one thing; it was time for the dress rehearsal.

Now, in order to not spoil the show before next week's final performance, this week's blog post will be quite short, as most of yesterday's rehearsal was devoted to the dress run. What we will say this week is that it is incredible to watch these guys perform a show that didn't exist over a month ago. Of course, we have been working towards this point for nine weeks, however the characters and narrative didn't emerge until halfway into the project.

In that short space of time the cast have created a show that deals with a variety of heavily emotional themes; hope, loss, brotherhood and camaraderie, all of which are handled in a professional manner.
The result is a show that is thrilling to watch. The amount of effort each cast member has put into their character is clear; all of them have their own characteristics and story to tell. There is something very touching about watching all of these young characters living in a world where the threat of war looms over them every day, and seeing them find comfort and entertainment in the company of one another.

For instance we have Paul, an older brother who is incredibly protective of his younger brother, learn to trust those around him not only to look after his  brother, but himself as well. Then you have Millie and Barbara, two girls who seem to be at constant odds with each other, learn how to set aside their differences and embrace friendship. In the midst of all this you have multiple characters who's families are overseas fighting, or on the other side of the country and how each of them deal with this concept.

All in all, the dress run went well. Afterwards we tried adding one final element to the play. During the air raid in one of the earlier scenes, when the group find themselves together for the first time and trapped in St Mary's church, we wanted to try something special to see if we could make the stage image more atmospheric and appropriate. We used special LED candles, turned off all of the lights in the room and tried the scene in complete darkness, with only these lights to illuminate the cast. Obviously we had to improvise to make the room dark and the blinds didn't block everything out, but the candles did the trick. In the performance space next week, where we can be in complete darkness, the candles will look excellent (hopefully).

And so that's that! Rehearsals are over, with the exception of a few bits and bobs next week before the performance. We will leave you now with some additional pictures from the dress rehearsal. Next week 'On the Homefront' will conclude. There will be a final post with pictures from the show and a final write up from us at Anthos. Until then!