OP and this city’s Shakespeare OP Ensemble

It’s all about the formation of a Shakespeare Original Practice Ensemble. How do you train a disparate group of actors and gel them together? What are the principles that lay behind it?

So two days of ensemble rehearsal in the Poor School. I ache. In a good way. There are anywhere between 16-20 of us involved. So I’m not alone. (Ahl-own, his OP mouth-brain forming newer shapes). We range in experience from E15 students up to our name actors Hilton, Colin, and Joan. In between the experience range is from often on stage or acting for money to little stage time and jobs that make the money. The thing that unites us is a love for the craft.

We have a production crew; from the driving and steering Rebecca in her London office to Rob and Mike from the USA on the shop floor watching and recording our every move. As Patrick said, this is a read not dead happening, NOT a full production. And it’s NOT a full production. Ay, it seems Madam, but it isn’t. For that one would be paid full time wages and this ensemble is sponsored by those looking to further the Original practice. So we have Angels and we thank them. Some even have names like Eric and Steve. Others are merely benefactors. We also have our Master of Voice, David.

And while this has turned into a naming session I would be remiss to not state that of the man responsible for bringing OP back to the Globe way back in 2004. Thanks Tim. (And Mark. And Patrick).

And for those who always remain nameless yet whose efforts supporting us behind the scenes and from our homes, here are those comforting comfortless words, You know who you are!

Ouch.

No that’s the muscle ache. I need a bath. Because I’m going to the Globe in an hour. To spend all day rehearsing in the Sam Wanamaker Theatre. Putting into practice the discoveries of yesterday. Oh yes! And preparing for the performance on thurs evening the 10th July for which there are a few standing room only tickets left.