Project Complete

I'm just coming up for air and have spent the last couple of weeks recouping energies!

For readers who want to know what happened.....Between the Lines....played to good houses on both nights. Audience feedback was fantastic with so many people stopping on the night to express their pleasure and appreciation - followed by many emails the following week. The city's leading theatre critic was in attendance on the Saturday night and the paper displayed a great half-page review on the Wednesday after the show.

The cast did a great job on the Saturday night although - typical of amateur theatre - made numerous errors on the Sunday night including missed cues and lines. However, they recovered admirably and the audience was for the most part none the wiser.

So where to from here?
Well there has been some discussion about taking the show to other areas however my feelings are;

• [a] there's too much work involved! and the current cast is so busy that the same problem of not being able to commit to a regular rehearsal schedule will limit the ability to bring it up to a higher standard
  
• [b] performing in front of a home crowd is very different to performing in front of an unknown audience who are likely to be less forgiving
  
• [c] I'd want to do some re-writing which I just don't have time to do yet ... and
  
• [d]because the music is an important part of the project, I'd really like to have more singers in the cast to do it justice

so all in all......it's been an amazing and wonderful experience to see the characters I've created on paper be given a life of their own through these gorgeous, enthusiastic women. But from a writers perspective, not as satisfying as I'd hoped it would be. And also, having to write it, edit it, produce it, direct it, and stage manage it....was just too big a job for this little black duck!

I'm gonna stick to writing for people to read!

Hmm, might turn Between the Lines into a book next year.

thanks for travelling this journey with me! My next post will focus on the new project -

stay tuned!
cheers
maureen

"BETWEEN THE LINES" - Episode 22

Ooh, Helen's piece fitted rather nicely into Gemma's opening soliloquy - with minimal adjustment - and easier than I anticipated. Sweet!

Tonight I've been doing some editing in the last 3 Acts - and of course, I recognise that as simply a rather clumsy avoidance tactic! can't fool me! Because I'm scrambling for inspiration to complete the last 3 scenes. Guess it's gonna be a mad dash to the finish! maybe a decent nights kip will stimulate the creative juices?

I have to admit, that I'm not absolutely confident now that I've hit the right plot line for Dorian and her tale beneath the story. Whether that's just self-doubt creeping in or whether its instinct sending me a warning shot across the bow - I've yet to decide. Perhaps its a case of seeing such a clear and strong direction for the other characters, that Dorian's isn't cutting it as sharply as it could? Hmm, wish I had a writing partner sometimes to bounce things off!

Oh well, I haven't so I'm gonna have to sort it out myself for now. Fingers crossed that tomorrow will be more productive.


Tune in tomorrow......same nest, same hen house .... this is a daily blog to help me maintain focus and momentum - the script for this show needs to completed before the 3rd May. Constructive ideas and comments are welcome

Between the Lines opens on 12/13 June at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Newcastle

"BETWEEN THE LINES" - Episode 21

Back again after a badly needed but dreadfully misused break...and sad to say I have come back with nothing to contribute to the script! Fortunately, my friend Helen - also a writer, and a darn clever one too - had some ideas for Gemma that she has passed along for me to consider. THANKS HELEN! Although I suspect that you, too, enjoyed a somewhat misspent weekend? huummm?

Because Gemma's character has changed a bit, the piece won't fit neatly into the dialogue as it is ....but I really like what you've put together. So I'll edit the copy - minimally to fit the re-shaped Gemma - and shoot it back to you for approval ...hope that's ok with you?

But time is - not ticking, not marching - absolutely bolting away and I realise I have just 6 days left to complete the script ready for the first cast meeting. Uh Oh, gotta get cracking. When last I looked, Sheri was the final character to reveal the underlying aspect which demonstrates the link that connects them all. So now the task is to bring it together, fit the final pieces in place, and bring it to the conclusion I want.

should be easy enough, yes? [huh, what do they say about best laid plans 'n all?] I'll let you know tomorrow! oh, and there's a casting call out for the role of Gemma so if you know anyone in the Newcastle area who'd like to jump on board and give it a go, let me know ...


Tune in tomorrow......same dot on the dial.... this is a daily blog to help me maintain focus and momentum - the script for this show needs to completed before the 3rd May. Constructive ideas and comments are welcome

Between the Lines opens on 12/13 June at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Newcastle