So after all the angst and some hard work from many people, we finally staged Fringe Benefits… pretty successfully too. A record number of tickets were sold and Friday and Saturday in particular packed them in.
I would personally like to say thanks to the cast for all the time put in to polish the performance during the last two weeks. The script was deceptively difficult and the blocking was typically complicated (it was a farce after all!). So well done to you all.
I must say that I found this production was very hard work, especially because we had to resolve the problem of how to stage a performance given the restrictions and lack of infrastructure in the new hall.
My most heartfelt thanks to the backstage helpers who did an enormous amount of work – you’re all heroes!
Thoughts.. (my personal opinion from a Director’s perspective)…
The promotional efforts put in early and followed through consistently gave us a great audience. a lot of work but a noticeable result, with many new people in the audience;
The overall show preparation and rehearsal period was too short, putting rather too much pressure on everyone and cutting down on the fun aspect. We could only start rehearsals proper once we were allowed back into the hall – mid February;
The champagne draw was a big success and has now given us a mailing list which should give a great basis for promoting future productions. I am really pleased with the idea and it was very relevant to the show. Also it tied in perfectly with Mothers day which fell on the same weekend as the performances, so I made presentation boxes with a champagne flute filled with chocolate eggs and lots of ribbons etc.
Finally I should just add that I think everyone who put in so much effort added to the success of the performances – you should all be very proud of yourselves!
At times the production aspects felt like hell and I certainly said never again more times than I would like to remember! Thanks to the few (you know who you are), who helped to keep me sane (well, as sane as I ever am).
Producing and directing (especially when there are major technical issues to resolve), really don’t work as a single responsibility – far too much work is involved, and I for one won’t be taking on both simultaneously again. How lucky I am to have a supportive and technically minded Ken to help in so many ways…
Having said that, I think it needed a big push to get us going again as a group and with this production I have done my best to work with others to achieve that. So over to someone else… yippeeee!!
Jim and Isobel
Alice Hudson strikes a pose
Sam & Mike rehearsing on red nose day
Red nose day rehearsals..
Flats laid out to dry
Dennis painting set
Ken and Ian – Sunday set building
Cuddly and lovely legs!
Grahame gets-in
Gary and Joe building set at the get-in
Frances at the get-in
Grahame at the get-in – a high calibre performance
The girls get stuck into some essential alterations during the get-in
First rehearsal on the newly built set
Forty winks for Sam
Broken bulb..
photo call for the press..
Ian the prompt – obviously on his toes..
What are these for?
Pinky and Perky – the understudies
Fisherman’s friend meets Captain Birdseye
Isobel explains.. if it’s less than six inches you must throw it back!
Jim’s trendy shoes..
Colin is a man with two problems
Dickie
The boys consider the delights of Blackpool..
Dickie steps into the breach..
Cucumber heaven
Dickie thinks his luck is in..
Dickie!
Dickie relies on Isobel’s understanding..
The size 11 contact breaker
Isobel’s toes
Curtain call
Brenda tells Isobel her plan
Pinky and Perky go into hiding
Pinky and Perky get squidged!
Isobel
Ooooohh!
Colin is lost for words.. again!
Colin gets undressed…again!
Colin models a new fashion – the inside out trouser look..
Brenda and Isobel are unimpressed
Colin has a little something to hide..
Colin looks shifty
Fit like a glove…
Are those trousers quite comfortable?
A million miles, for one of your smiles..
What’s it caught on..? “My small change!”
Jim and Colin argue over who owns the dresses
“Not now miss Jenkins, not now miss Edgecombe..”
Dickie thinks it could be dodgy for him..
Doreen displays her (under) wares
Brenda and her Dickie
Dickie displays his french wrench
Isobel overhears..
Colin and the amazing “irish” accent!
The infamous cucumber scene..
Dickie gets down to it.. Isobel looks nervous!
..but now you must go mit ze wind zieg heil!
Brenda & Isobel
Fiona – don’t let them catch you with your panzers down!
Samantha, Jo & Greg – goodnight and thanks
Janet & Mike – goodnight and thanks
Lynne and Grahame – goodnight and thanks
Gary and Anne – no-one escaped the raffle!
Ken – very sound
Pat and John manning / womanning the bar
Jill, props impressario
The champagne presentation package
Last minute help with lines.. pinned backstage
View of the Fringe Benefits set in the new village hall configuration
View of the Fringe Benefits set in the new village hall configuration
The Torremolinos lists – he’s going for the weekend, she’s emigrating.
Fantastic news the Croydon Clients have renewed their options.. or have they?
Brenda dreams of ‘Dickie’
Those are mine too!
Pinky and perky, lovingly created by Jill – props person extraordinaire and all round brilliant help
Lucky winner receives her champagne on Saturday night
Winner of the champagne draw on Saturday night
Fiona displays her weakness.. for champagne!
Fringe Benefits get-out – organising the kit for storage
Grahame, Liz, Jan, Jo – get-out helpers taking a brief tea break
Joe and Owen – get-out helpers taking a brief tea break
Hard working get-out helpers taking a brief tea break
Poppy pays us a visit
Fringe Benefits – the illustrated version!
Director’s survival kit – 57 varieties!
Directors flowers – thanks a bunch!
I got to wear the giant hat of cleverness… at last!
Thanks everyone!
Colin and Isobel do so love Torremolinos..
“better put those in your handbag – you know what the hot weather does to me”..
We all have our own special talents..
“Not that you don’t have big.. peanut?”
Jim involves Colin in the steamy East Croydon plot
Colin wants to know how he looks.. Captain birdseye?
Colin taking liberties with pinky and perky, while Doreen notices a smell of kippers..
Jim and Doreen finding their shy friends amusing
Doreen, Fiona and Colin vote for Jim to lose his trousers
Jim has a conversation via Colin’s thigh..
Jim & Colin do the Black and White Minstrels – watch out x factor!
Jim – not too happy with Colin
“Dickie” does it stealthily..
Doreen flashes her assets under the borrowed “mink”
Lies! her boobs are NOT droopy!
The young dolly birds diss Isobel and give away the scheming of Jim and Colin
‘Bliss’ – I think the huge number of lines to learn were anything but for Lynne.. but she did a great job.
Lynne looking slightly panicky as the plumber gets fresh..
