Epilogue

The Director of the production emailed yesterday to say:  "Don't be surprised if you feel a bit low this week. You are tired - spiritually, emotionally and physically"

He's not wrong.

My cast buddies have shared the following:

"It was such an amazing experience working with you all over the last few days and I can't believe how emotional I found it all!!"

"Incredible!!! Such a wonderful experience. I've loved and loathed every second in a weird way as its been so emotional, uncomfortable (and not just on the knees!!) But equally unbelievably uplifting!!!" "Hey, what an incredible thing to be a part of and it was such a great experience that I love sharing with you all. I think it's something none of us will ever forget." "I’m feeling quite shaken-up this morning, and didn’t sleep much.  Thank you all so much – what a privilege to be part of it, and to think that the same drama was happening elsewhere..." "Ok we played the ugly parts and we messed up with the words but somebody had to keep you all on your toes. What a memory ...."

"Does anybody else feel they’d really like to do it again....?!"

Two done... It is finished

7 months ago I heard the call.

3 months ago I attended an information evening.

2 months ago I received the call up.

6 weeks ago we started learning the structure of the narrative and committed this to memory.

4 days ago we convened, for the first time, to rehearse. Yesterday morning we finished rehearsing the last half of the play. One full dress rehearsal during the afternoon. And that was it. That was all we did before the actual show. Man that was freaky.

Now today. I'm home. It is over. It is finished. I am indeed tired, emotional, both saddened and joyful to be part of something greater than just the sum of... well, me. 

It's been an honour to serve, perform, be in a production with all these people. Never again will I do this in the same way again.... If you get a chance watch the Mark Drama... It's been amazing... 

Drama

I'm involved in a production right now that is using older styles of perfomance. Using a combination of improvisation and simple theatrics.

The first performance is tonight. Just over 12 hours it will be show time.

We've only had two rehearsals. Last night was less of a triumph than the previous session. "12 hours" I keep telling myself.

The method of this performance is ancient. A trainee director said to me yesterday this has been done many times and gone through enormous iterative changes. When he did it (he too performed earlier this year... as it happens he was doing the identical role to the one I am playing) he said I just had to trust the director, the power of the story, and his faith in the story telling.

Well I'm certainly not confident in my abilities right now. It's hard to trust someone else in such a time of confusion. I know that I'm in a position of not knowing and he is in one of knowing. So who do I trust. 

12 hours to go.