Good news, heard that Vicky Elliot, Helen Embleton, Chris Price and Micky Cochrane have accepted the parts of Cathleen, Bethany, John and Pete, closely followed by James Cunningham as Lewis. Psyche is still busy auditioning for Asram and we are waiting on a calll back from a particular actor for Geoff.
I was lucky enough to have Vicky, Helen and Chris workshop Pub Quiz in October and am delighted to have them back on board. Micky was a real find as Pete. Before he came into the room Anna, Psyche and I had looked at his casing sheet and been amazed at how much his photo looked like ‘our Pete’ but Micky walked in with floppy hair, looking far too sweet for dastardly Pete and nothing like his picture, the hair will have to go. Micky was called back to read with Chris and the two worked together well, there was a hint of menace in his portrayl which was subtly done. Excited to see what else he can do as well as James Cunningham who I googled and whose CV is fantastic, he has received wonderful reviews and has a wealth of experience in TV, theatre and film. I loved what he did with Lewis in the audition, a contained energy and originality in the interpretation which I had not seen before, Lewis in control, measured, calm, dangerous. Great cast so far.
22nd January – Marketing and publicity meeting with the NWN team. Again this is a huge jump for me from the press I’ve had to do before. A marketing plan was outlined using contacts, press, the internet and radio. I am not really comfortable doing interviews and even less so having my photo taken but with everyone making so much of an effort it is the least I can do. I have to get proper photos done and they have set up a session with a photographer in a pub. I am not looking forward to this. I do not think writers should have to do this, I know some are attention whores but I would much rather be anonymous. Plus I look hideous on photos and become so self conscious that I squint as soon as the flash goes and end up looking like I have had a stroke.
One of the things I have been asked to do is keep this diary to record the progress of the project and my participation (which is what I am gradually uploading onto the blog). Today I also saw some leaflets for Pub Quiz, I get a real thrill out of seeing things like this. Seeing it in the Northern Stage brochure was a real kick. It is all happening, after so long, it really is going to happen and succeed or not. Bloody hell! I am going to enjoy the short spasm of excitement and confidence before fear and doubt settle back in.
(update 26th January) The talented and multi experienced Joe Caffrey, fresh from the RSC and West End (who first workshopped the play three years ago) has accepted the role of Geoff the landlord. Joe has great comic timing and an ability to work with rather than perform for an audience. There’s something dangerously unpredictable about his interpretation of Geoff which works brilliantly. I think he was disappointed that the blow job he got in draft three from Cathleen has been replaced with a chat over the bar, but hey ho, life’s not all perks and flirts.
1 Comment
February 10, 2008 at 5:45 pm
You have some very good actors lined up, I’ve seen Joe Caffrey recently, he was excellent.
I hope this is as much of a critical success as The Big Marrow. That was one of the favorite Radio 4 plays. Good luck with the production, I’m looking forward to it.