Greetings, all - Sorry for the delay...it's been a day.
Here is my compilation of Notes from the last three runs of the show. My intent here is to encourage you to consider and adopt, or dismiss, these thoughts. With only 5 total runs of the show remaining, I don't want to change much on the show, but instead help each remaining production grow and strengthen all the way through closing...except there are some things, and you'll be able to intuit what they are, that do need to change.
Here we go!
All - Once the house opens (15 minutes before the show), no entry or exit through the back door of the auditorium. Please use the side door (across from the main office) both before the show or intermission.
Crew - Remember to tape the doors to the backstage areas preshow so they don't make noise.
All - Once the house opens, no talking backstage. Write notes to each other if you need to communicate.
Lane - Find a servant-y way to fill the time while Algernon is eating his first sandwich to justify your continued presence in the room.
Lane - Don't announce visitors until you're completely onstage and standing at rest. Make it a bit.
Jack - Once Algernon explains the bread and butter, get a bit more excited about something Gwendolen likes.
Hair - Algernon's mustache needs to be bolder and sharper to read onstage in the way you intend.
Costume - Jack needs a belt...
Algernon - Match Jack's intensity in the first act...yes he's chill, but he needs to be over-the-top chill, farcically chill.
Algernon - Your rate of speech is great...just make sure it's fully energized (1st Dress).
Algernon/Jack - Work the beats in the couch-wrestling moment. The attack, the squabble, and the stop should be clean beats.
Props - Please stack the bread/butter as if it were a sliced loaf.
Jack - Don't put half-eaten bread back on the tray...eww. (1st Dress)
Algernon - Try going full mansplain on Bunburying...almost patronizing Jack.
Hair - The Act I ladies' hair had a bunch of flyaways...Is there anyway to tame those?
Bracknell - Stronger energy in Act I at Final Dress vs. other nights...can we go 10% more into farce-world? (picture your Act III energy...which was awesome!)
Gwen and Jack - Great engagement on the couch while Bracknell talking...you guys truly have some compelling stuff together!
Algy/Lane/Bracknell - Gwen and Jack are setting you a high bar for Act I energy...meet them there!
Bracknell - Try and tighten the gaps between Jack's answers and your responses...the pacing is there in the lines themselves, but there feels like a bit much in the air between them.
Jack - Watch disengaging from the 'Poachers profit' joke too early. Let her just stare at you for a sec more before you break off in embarassment.
Costume - Jack's Act I vest has a safety pin on the collar...can we remove it?
Hair - As the Act went on, Bracknell's wig started looking messier and messier...can we clean up the styling?
Algernon - Push for clarity on what it is that prompts you to say 'I'd very much like to meet this Cecily'.
Gwen - The word is 'ih-moral' not 'uh-moral'...there's a big difference in meaning.
Algernon - Treat the sherry glass like it has real liquid in it...can't just sling it around like it can't spill!
Alex - Transition took way too long...the stage should never have no motion on it. Folk should be coming and going throughout.
Props - We can't use books with Library labels on the table.
Chasuble/Cecily/Prism - Lovely energy and timing together...
Merriman - The gong strikes should be four distinct physical beats: Enter, Stop, Strike, Announce.
Cecily - Watch getting too sharp with Algernon...make sure we see her flirt as well as shoot up his attempts.
Costume - Where were Jack's black pants in the funeral look? His black top hat?
Algernon - Your energy with Cecily was much improved at Final Dress!
Cecily - Much better on not futzing with your dress!
Cecily - Make eye contact with the audience when you're monologuing about Miss Fairfax before she comes onstage; also when you decide to spoon in the sugar!
Props - Make sure the same bread/butter end up on the tea tray from Act I.
All - Reentry to places after intermission needs to be as silent as anything else backstage. Lots of talking.
Gwen/Cecily - Wait until the lights go black before entering...not the half-light.
Algernon - Put your arm around Cecily's waist, not shoulders...totally different connection.
Costume - Cinch the boys' vests more...they should mimic corsets in fit.
All - The girls' exit was delightful...the boys' response also. Good beats, good precision, good scale!
Jack/Algernon - Too casual in the white chairs...don't lose your formality.
Jack - Remember to reach for the last muffin at the table, so Algernon can smack your hand.
Alex - Let's look over the transitions...they were more efficient at First Dress.
All - When the beats are crisp, and the energy is high, this show sings!!!
Merriman - The big gong strike might have been a bit too big...
Bracknell - Gotta pick up the pace on the longer passages...it's a long show!
Algernon - Act III was the reaction and energy I knew you had in you...push to start there!
Algernon/Cecily - Don't sit on the couch until Lady Bracknell sits first...stay standing! That said, make sure you're both excited to get married.
Crew - Add tablecloths to all tables in Act III.
Bracknell - Her scale and intensity really hit at '$130k pounds?'...there is Farce Bracknell! Push for that!
All - Pacing and energy were AWESOME in Act III...yes!!!
Jack/Bracknell - The chess match between them about Cecily and Gwendolen was awesome...good listening and chemistry!
Prism - Even more fear at Bracknell's voice...maximum shock and fear!
Prism - Make sure to let your emotional overwhelmedness carry her to the floor!
Crew - Only Charlie makes noise during the upstairs bit now.
Algernon - How's he feel getting drug around the strange? Good? Uncomfortable?
Jack - Great job with the new 'crash trunk'...sounded great!
Algernon - Stop futzing with your vest...
Jack - Clarify and emphasize 'Army Lists'...it's getting rushed and hard to understand.
All - Make sure to go outside the furniture as you circle for bows...
