As we start the second week of rehearsals for our much-anticipated Christmas show for 2015 – The Light Princess – here’s our first rehearsal blog from the lovely Suzanne Ahmet, who’s playing our very own princess.
It’s exciting being in this room and a total privilege. So many generous, creative, experienced minds coming together, feels special. I think what has struck me most is how much story there is for us to bring to life and the playful, explorative and detailed nature with which everyone is approaching the challenge. Flying, falling, swimming and singing are all on the agenda and we’ve had a glorious week finding our language as a company and how we communicate this to our audience. Friday afternoon saw our rehearsal room covered in cardboard cut outs, a leaf-blowing hoover, tape-measure tape pulled out, a light-fitting and at one point an actor disappeared, only to return with a posy of tree-branches! Perfect!
What makes Tobacco Factory Theatres special is it’s loyalty to the story, telling it with sensitivity and a united company feel. We rely on each other every step of the way and want all characters to have the richest, most colourful and honest portrayal that we can muster. And as John, our director, has said, we want to tell this story with a real sense of joy.
Ali, our Artistic Director, very generously gave us complimentary tickets to the in-house shows on in the Factory Theatre and Brewery Theatre, this week: Falstaff, an opera and Outpost, a puppetry piece. Both bubbled with that company feel and served the story down to its last detail.
I found myself skipping through the kitchen on Friday afternoon and saying to a cast-mate “this is so much fun”. Not bad for a first week!
Suzanne x
You can find out more about The Light Princess and book tickets on the show page here.
Posted on 26 October 2015
