THE LONG WAY HOME: Jumaan Short
Monday 15 February 2010
We have all had our own journey in these rehearsal weeks and every day has been different. Some days you leave exhausted but uplifted, others you leave reflecting on how much work there is still left to do. During phone conversations with friends I find myself talking in a loud voice using strange words that only my characters would use and I dream about flying houses, high-lighted lines, diagrams and scribbles on scripts. Nothing to worry about at all!
But, what this does mean, is, that it is that time - the start of the run is approaching and I am proud of what we have achieved and how we have brought to life such a lovely story. I only hope now that we will leave the audiences a little bit changed by our show, it's up to them now.
We have come a long way with The Long Way Home.
Jumaan Short
THE LONG WAY HOME: Jumaan Short
Thursday 04 February 2010
From dog to Dog Boy
Theo seems to have got some tips for his Dog-Boy character from my excellent, detailed description of Badge. In fact I am quite astonished by his increasing ability to dribble, wag his tail, bark, bite, present puppy-dog eyes and pee in inappropriate places. Some of these pedigree skills he didn't even need to work on. What talent!
Susan as Old Mother is becoming remarkably good at falling asleep in uncomfortable places and having that wise sparkle in her eyes. She always seems to know what's going to happen next and she's got a knack for comedy too - sometimes her skirt slowly drops to the floor, mid-speech. How does she do that?
James and I in our many roles can do everything. We can tell a great story, we can move entire houses with our bare hands, we can turn night in to day, bring life to puppets and occasionally remember when to speak and sing in tune all at the same time!
Well practice makes perfect, goodness me, what will we have achieved by next week?!
Jumaan Short
THE LONG WAY HOME: Jumaan Short
Monday 25 January 2010
Man’s Best Friend
They say a dog is man’s best friend, so, being a stranger in a new place, I was delighted to make the acquaintance of Badger the dog in my new residence. Although, Badger doesn’t see very well, at all, and doesn’t move very much, at all, so my first cooking venture in his company may have caused some offence to the poor creature.
In search of cooking tools in cupboards, Badge was sort of, well – in the way. Every cupboard I opened, he stood in front of and it became a gentle obstacle course of a bump, prod, push, shovel and budge routine around the kitchen. When at last the show was over, bows taken and curtains closed and I, exhausted, finally settled down to take a bite of my food, Badger came back with a barking encore and wouldn’t quieten. I feared our friendship was over and I would be spending the next 5 months sleeping on Eastern Angles’ stage floor. BUT, just as my fear became farewell and I, tearfully turned to pack my bags, Badge all of a sudden; galloped up behind me, (surely to mend my broken heart), but due to his poor vision, as I stopped, he crashed in to my ankles and collapsed, knocked-out-in-to-a-heap-on-my -feet and wouldn’t wake up, and wouldn’t move and wouldn’t budge SIGH and, well…the evening performance began…
Welcome to Eastern Angles Ipswich Week 1!
Jumaan Short