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2004
Diary of a 'thespian' | |
|  | | Well, Helloooooo Dolly! |
| | BBC Radio Stoke presenter Tim Wedgwood got the shock of his life when he was asked to appear in a production of Hello Dolly at the Regent. Tim bravely agreed to write a diary during the months of preparation leading up to his musical debut... |
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| | My Musical Debut
Who would have thought 2004 would start with the prospect of appearing on possibly Staffordshire's biggest stage? But it has. Gulp!
By day I talk for three hours on BBC Radio Stoke. But now, by night I finish my radio show (weekdays 4pm to 7pm), head to a school in Knutton, Newcastle to run through the music, the dancing (even more gulps) and the lines they've given me for my musical debut. And this is how it happened...
Abanazar
It was late November 2003. The radio station pantomime Aladdin had just ended - I played the baddy, the evil Abanazar.
Whilst I was enjoying a drink in the bar there was a tap on the shoulder.
"Tim, you'll probably say no, but we have a part for you in Hello Dolly, will you do it?"
"Yeah right, you're winding me up aren't you? Where is it?"
"The Regent" (Sharp intake of breath)
It appears the director, Andrew Talbot, was very serious about the offer.
Aarrgghh!!!! What have I done? Why did I say yes?
Diary of a madman!
Week one began with with a gentle introduction to the rest of the cast. They're a really nice bunch and boy can they sing. I could tell there was going to be a hard slog ahead. (Can I apologise now to my wife for all that singing in the bath?).
We ran through just a couple of numbers and thankfully there was lots of encouragement from Chris Keen, the musical director. We worked out which section I would sing with.
Friendly face
Whether they liked it or not I was going to join the tenors. I knew a face in the crowd and if I was going to have to sing, then I needed some moral support (thanks Jonathan)!
Week two started with a bombshell:"Tim, this is Gina (Yearsley). She's going to teach you the dance steps"!
There was no turning back now. This is the real deal. I'm ready for my close up now Mr De Mille. Let me tell you about my character...
Head waiter
I'm playing Rudolph Reisenweber, the head waiter at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant, the most stylish eaterie in fashionable New York and a favourite haunt to Mrs Dolly Levi.
As the name suggests I need an accent. So I get to work on that. I feel like a German Del Boy - I keep slipping back into my mother tongue. It's harder than you'd think trying to sound German.
Barbara and Walter
Having been leant a copy of Hello Dolly with the fabulous Barbara Streisand and Walter Matthau I was modelling my character as best I could on Rudolph in the film. Goodness knows how they'll make me up into a guy 30 odd years my senior.
The Harmonia Gardens is a great scene - very energetic and a real showpiece scene. It's quite slapstick and yes, it includes the BIG number, Dolly's entrance and the main title theme song.
Putting it all together
But to make it look so good doesn't come easy. I don't know about the rest of the waiters but I'm fine singing at the piano, not so bad at the moves (without singing) but when it comes to putting it all together....well, it's truly comic.
Week three began with everyone buoyed up by last week's good run through we all super confident in our abilities. So good that we were erring on cocky. And guess what? We make the biggest hash of the Dolly number you ever imagine.
Things can only get better
Gina, our choreographer, had to leave the room she was laughing that much. Thankfully after walking through the steps it got better. By midweek rehearsal we were back - firing on all cylinders. We realise now though not to take anything for granted.
By week 4, I get to sit through some of the other numbers. Trying to co-ordinate thirty or so people in one scene is no mean feat but I have to say, even at this stage, it's looking good.
True pro
There is some shouting from the director - but you'd expect that. I wouldn't even dare underestimate the pressure he's under to get us all into shape but he's a true pro. They say patience is a virtue but this can get pretty testing of any man.
Later in the week, there was more feet work. We haven’t even started reading through the lines yet - mine at least. To be honest there's so much work to do on the songs and dancing and what they call blocking (i.e. where we'll standing and when) that I'm kind of pleased.
No regular stager
I'm also pleased, not being such a regular stager, that I don’t have to learn as many lines as the main characters, Dolly Levi, Horace Vandegelder, Cornelius Hakl or Barnaby Tucker, to name just a few.
And by the way curtain up in Tuesday 20th April to Saturday 24th at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday. | | | |
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