david uk
04-25-2006, 10:46 AM
Yesterday I spent an excellent day in the company of our gentleman rudie Sir Henry Metcalfe (soulmerlin). He picked me up en route to the opening night of his production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in Stoke and we drove there. (Henry suggested I mention the strong smell of tobacco in his car but I shan't do that).
We arrived nice and early at the 1300 seater theatre in time for the soundcheck, which went on for 2 hours, as the stage was so large they had to re-position the actors and dancers on stage to accommodate the space. Henry had directed and choreographed the whole production which is now on a national tour.
Henry apologised for being so moody and "pugnacious" with the cast, but felt they needed a kick up the a**. I actually felt he was very good, working with a large cast and a choir of 30 or so kids, knowing exactly when to shout at the cast and when to laugh and joke. At one stage he was told that the technical people needed the stage and just replied "Well technically I need the stage too- we need to get good reviews, not like the crap ones we got when I was away!"
He was firing instructions left right and centre and I thought "how will they remember all this is a few hours' time....?" Henry just laughed and said: "oh they will, it's their job!"
We had a bite to eat and Henry got changed into his Jacob costume, looking every bit the archetypal biblical patriarch and the soundman took me out into the auditorium and found me a seat.
I have to say I am not a fan of musicals, but this production was superb. I had wondered how it would turn out, after seeing Henry with his head in his hands throughout the rehearsals, but whatever he said to the cast certainly got them going and they delivered a dynamic performance which had the whole audience on its feet several times. The choreography was excellent, and Henry's voice deliciously deep in a Paul Robeson kind of way....
As for the decor (Henry's designs also) it was spectacular- kitsch but very impressive as befits this type of production- and the same as used in the West End version of his production. If anyone gets a chance to go- do so.
After the show there were fans outside the theatre and I have to say I felt very imprortant as I squeezed past them and knocked on the stage door to be let in lol
Henry was looking very happy- apparently the press were there so it was important the show went right. One by one his "indian chiefs" - sound, lights, orchestra, all came to his dressing room to ask if he was happy. He was! We had a drink with the rest of the company before heading off.
Thanks for a great day Henry, and for going out of your way to pick me up, and drop me off so late at night.
PS We had a long discussion about religion and spirituality in the car but agreed not to post it on the board... things have been going so well here that we didn't want to stir things up :p
We arrived nice and early at the 1300 seater theatre in time for the soundcheck, which went on for 2 hours, as the stage was so large they had to re-position the actors and dancers on stage to accommodate the space. Henry had directed and choreographed the whole production which is now on a national tour.
Henry apologised for being so moody and "pugnacious" with the cast, but felt they needed a kick up the a**. I actually felt he was very good, working with a large cast and a choir of 30 or so kids, knowing exactly when to shout at the cast and when to laugh and joke. At one stage he was told that the technical people needed the stage and just replied "Well technically I need the stage too- we need to get good reviews, not like the crap ones we got when I was away!"
He was firing instructions left right and centre and I thought "how will they remember all this is a few hours' time....?" Henry just laughed and said: "oh they will, it's their job!"
We had a bite to eat and Henry got changed into his Jacob costume, looking every bit the archetypal biblical patriarch and the soundman took me out into the auditorium and found me a seat.
I have to say I am not a fan of musicals, but this production was superb. I had wondered how it would turn out, after seeing Henry with his head in his hands throughout the rehearsals, but whatever he said to the cast certainly got them going and they delivered a dynamic performance which had the whole audience on its feet several times. The choreography was excellent, and Henry's voice deliciously deep in a Paul Robeson kind of way....
As for the decor (Henry's designs also) it was spectacular- kitsch but very impressive as befits this type of production- and the same as used in the West End version of his production. If anyone gets a chance to go- do so.
After the show there were fans outside the theatre and I have to say I felt very imprortant as I squeezed past them and knocked on the stage door to be let in lol
Henry was looking very happy- apparently the press were there so it was important the show went right. One by one his "indian chiefs" - sound, lights, orchestra, all came to his dressing room to ask if he was happy. He was! We had a drink with the rest of the company before heading off.
Thanks for a great day Henry, and for going out of your way to pick me up, and drop me off so late at night.
PS We had a long discussion about religion and spirituality in the car but agreed not to post it on the board... things have been going so well here that we didn't want to stir things up :p