Archive for November, 2004

His Dark Materials…

Fyse November 24th, 2004

When I orignally made this site over last summer, I had a plan to add a blog devoted to books, music, films, plays etc that I wanted to either praise or slate. That hasn’t yet materialised, but I was reading an article that made me think of one set of books I really had to mention. The trilogy in question is ‘His Dark Materials’ by Philip Pullman, and is comprised of ‘Northern Lights’, ‘The Subtle Knife’ and ‘The Amber Spyglass’. I can’t overstate quite how amazing these books are, and how important it is that you read them.

I’m loath to start throwing terms like ‘favourite’ around, since to try and compile even a top ten of my favourite books would be impossible, but this trilogy would have to up near the top. Pullman combines fantastic story telling with wonderful escapism, rich characterization with deep metaphysical and philosphical meaning. I don’t know whether they were originally written for children, but they can be read and enjoyed by anyone. I’m not going to wax lyrical any further, as praise of these books has been done to death by many a more persuasive writer than myself, but back to that article I was reading…

I don’t by a newspaper regularly at uni, mainly because it seems like too much effort to go to the newsagents every day, but I do read ‘The Guardian‘ online. It’s a high quality left-leaning paper, and I’ve been reading it since I was young as it’s also the paper my parents get. Habit is a powerful thing, but I’ve read other papers on occasion and always come back to The Guardian. It had an article today by Philip Pullman himself, discussing stage adaptations of novels, and particularly the National Theatre production of ‘His Dark Materials’. The article caught my eye as I’ve recently booked to see the two part production early next year, on the 24th of January and the 24th of February. I believe the first run of these two shows sold out entirely, and the next promises to do the same which is why we booked so early.

I’m rambling somewhat, but my main reason for pointing the article out is that it contains an excellent discussion of what makes the theatre so special. I’m looking forward to seeing the two shows next year with almost fevered anticipation. The books were quite astoundingly good, and if you haven’t already, I urge you to go and read them now. Even if you consider yourself someone who ‘doesn’t like fantasy novels’, you should give these a try. Quick, before the movie comes out and ruins it for you…

Just call me Major Domo…

Fyse November 24th, 2004

Well, I got a part in ‘Me and My Girl’ at the Arts Theatre next February, which I’m extremely excited about. In fact, I was offered a part in both productions I auditioned for, but had to turn one down. Trying to do two productions, rowing and enough academic work next term would have been impossible. I’m going to be playing the role of Major Domo, which is only a small speaking role, but I’ll be cropping up as the same character throughout the show, doing lots of singing and ‘dancing’. I say ‘dancing’ rather than dancing because while I do my level best, I’m certainly no twinkle-toes.

One of my good friends has landed the female lead, and many other friends from previous shows are playing various roles. I’ve worked with the Director and Musical Director before as well, and it promises to be not only a very high quality production, but a lot of fun too. Rehearsing starts a week on Saturday, and we’ll be rehearsing full-time for a week before we all head home for Christmas. I can’t wait to get started, but I’ve got this G&S production of The Sorcerer first. Which reminds me, I have a lot of lines and lyrics to learn.

I’m not quite sure what my character in ‘Me and My Girl’ (MAMG) is like yet, by I have a feeling he may be old and grumpy. I’ve got a bit of a reputation for playing that type of role, so much so that I earned the nickname ‘Grumpy Proprietor’ (or GP), thanks to the number of roles I’ve had where I play a short-tempered owner of some establishment or other. Some suggest that perhaps I’m being typecast, to which I mutter darkly under my breath and throw something hard and pointy at their head.

Wait! Nothing left for me to do but wait!

Fyse November 19th, 2004

While I really dislike auditioning itself, I probably hate waiting for the crucial email even more. I did two first-round auditions last weekend, and was recalled for both productions in the middle of this week. While the first round of auditions normally takes around 5-10 minutes per person, recalls are a lot more serious. The ‘My Fair Lady’ recall lasted an hour, with time spent on singing, dancing and acting, while the call-back for ‘Me and My Girl’ was a gruelling two hours. I prefer auditions to be too long rather than too short, as it gives me more time to get over the inevitable nerves, but two hours of improvising put a bit of strain on the old concentraion span.

Whilst waiting, I check my emails with absurd regularity. At least my new phone means I can check them from anywhere, and don’t have to sit in my room all evening. Of course, it doesn’t make any difference whether I get the news immediately, as I’ll have to wait for news of both shows before I make any decision anyway.

My computer just tada’d at me to signal a new email, but it was only this weekend’s list of auditions. I guess I should do some of them, in case I don’t get either of the musicals. I’ve tried a term at university without any drama, and it was dull in the extreme. I actually found I did less work, if that’s possible, because I was so bored. I’m due to hear this evening about one of them, and on Sunday for the other. I reckon I’ve probably got a fair chance of something in one of them, but we’ll have to wait and see.

I’m torn as to which production I would rather do, if I am fortunate enough to be given the choice. ‘Me and My Girl’ is at the Cambridge Arts Theatre, the professional theatre in Cambridge and consequently far larger than anywhere I’ve performed before. The down side is that it involves staying a week longer in Cambridge this term for full-time rehearsal, which would screw up my money-earning plans, and I really need money. ‘My Fair Lady’ is the annual ‘Lent Term Musical’ at the ADC Theatre, which I’ve taken part in the last two years. It’s a two week run, which some people don’t enjoy, but I love. Thirteen performances allows you to get very confident and slick, and the second week of the run is out of term, meaning the cast can drink all night and sleep all day. Much better than knowing you have a lecture at 9:00 the next day.

I came to university absolutely determined to get involved in student drama, and did about ten auditions at the beginning of my first term. I made a total mess of almost all of them, but was lucky enough to be recalled for the Footlights/ADC Pantomime, and then be offered a small part. I suspect I only got that due to a chronic lack of men, and had I not I probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to try again. I’d like to think I’ve now improved enough to get roles on merit rather than by default, but being male is still a big advantage in Cambridge drama. My social-life at uni revolves almost entirely around the ADC, without which it would be comparitively abysmal. I have plenty of good friends in my own college, but if it weren’t for university drama I wouldn’t really know anyone from the other colleges. Some people live their lives in Cambridge like this, without any form of university-wide activity, but I’d find that far too insular and claustrophobic. I know people from pretty much every undergraduate college, and that’s the way I like it.

P.S. I guess my American readership (of four!) might not know what I mean by college as opposed to university. I am studying at St Catharine’s College, which is a part of Cambridge University. The following page on the university website explains a little about the collegiate system, if you want to know. I realise that’s a big ‘if’.

Ahurghhackhaarucoushk…

Fyse November 13th, 2004

Have you ever tried to write down a hacking cough phonetically? It’s not easy, as aptly demonstrated above. I’ve tried on many occasions to capture the essence of a truly gut-wrenching throat-clearing, but never succeeded. What is certain, however, is that ‘ahem’ is woefully inadequate. Interestingly, the word ‘ahem’ has become almost synonymous with a slight clearing of the throat, and would rarely be pronounced as written. I propose a new word, used to represent a proper, phlegm-filled cough. A cough that signals a life near its end. A cough to strike fear into the stoutest heart! A cough to shake the very foundations of all that is healthy and flourishing in this world!!

This latest addition to the English language is still under development, and its precise form a closely guarded secret, suffice to say that the above attempt is clearly crap. The point of this aimless ramble is to lead into a good old fashioned moan about my own sore throat. Spending the afternoon singing has certainly not helped, and I can look forward to croaking my way through more rehearsals tomorrow and Sunday. Luckily, the wonder of ‘Vocalzones’ throat lonzenges got me through my audition today, and with any luck they can perform a similar service for the next.

With all the rehearsing and rowing and auditioning I’ve got lined up for this weekend, I can’t quite see where the work will fit in. I can’t really complain though, having wasted the evening playing poker (I won, so not entirely wasted). Life at university would be so much easier if it weren’t for academic work…

A Dramatic Update & The Allure of the Arts…

Fyse November 11th, 2004

I’ve half written a number of posts of late but not finished anything, so I thought I’d jot something quick and informative down now. I’ve been pretty busy so far this term, with a practical project (now finished), novice rowing and one production under my belt already. I’m doing another show at the end of term, and this time I’ve got a principal role. I’m playing the part of ‘Alexis’ in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta ‘The Sorcerer’, which will involve loads of singing, and plenty of opportunity for my college friends to take this piss out of me. Well, so long as it entertains them in some way, eh?!

This weekend sees a couple of important auditions, for two of the biggest shows next term. I loath auditioning with a passion, but they’re a necessary evil I guess. Auditions for shows in Cambridge are nearly always open and non-appointment, so you just turn up at some point between appointed times, and await your turn. The format is normally to choose and perform an extract from a selection outside, and for a musical, sing a song. Sometimes they ask you to perform a bit of dance-type-stuff, which I normally make a complete mess of. Life as a thespian in Cambridge is certainly a lot easier for guys though, especially if auditioning for musicals, as competition is very much lower.

Whenever I write a post, I’m displacing my activity from something much more important, and this time it’s the vast amount of work I have to do for supervisions next week. I’m currently embroiled in the wonders of Thermodynamics, and wondering once more how I ended up as a Physicist. The English school system meant I had to choose the Arts or Sciences route at age 16, and the choice came down to Physics or History. Ah, to be a lazy Historian and spend my days drinking coffee…

My only post on the subject, I swear…

Fyse November 3rd, 2004

So, who’s rather apprehensive about the next four years? *raises hand*