A View from the Bridge with Michael Brandon & Jonathan Guy Lewis

You're sitting in a carousel and it's spinning, faster and faster. You're so excited! You're having so much fun! But- you're head is spinning. You kind of can't see anymore; then all of sudden, it stops. And you're standing still. Very still. Trying to catch your breath, with your brain, until it's safe to step off.

A bit dramatic? Perhaps. But that was how I was just before we started rehearsals for A View from the Bridge. I'm currently taking a week off from rehearsing as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray to take part in the ensemble cast of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge. 

We were called in Monday night for a rehearsal and was told that I get to be on the railing. Yep! I was super excited about that! Not only that, but I would get a costume change too! Ah, the simple joys of life! It took about 2.5-3 hours of Neale informing us of our expectations, talking us through the play, and walking us through our blocking. I was rather impressed with the fact that we were going to be used throughout the play, not just in the last scene. We were also each given a sheet of paper with cues to look for, our actions, and our roles. Again, very impressed, considering I thought we'd only be on once.

We were all called in for the Tech rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon and were told we'd get to meet the cast. I was a bit apprehensive, you don't really know how they'll respond to an ensemble cast. We're basically community extras. What if I missed a cue?! What if I made them miss a cue? What if- well, what if I was wrong? I was. They were all so lovely! Wonderful, talented, friendly, and a rather cheerful bunch! And for such a dramatic play.

I'm aiming to be able to watch from the wings tonight. Last night I was terrified of missing a cue that I spent the whole show following along in the book! It was nice though, almost like listening to an audio book!

If you haven't purchased your tickets, you can at:
Darlington Civic Theatre
www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
Tickets £17.40 - £27, discounts available
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - Saturday, March 21, 2015

This post is in partnership with Theatre Cloud. For more information, click here!
Image source: The Northern Echo

Rehearsal day: