With this particular production the wardrobe plotting is a bit trickier than usual as there are so many quick changes backstage. All of the cast – except Jack Wilkinson who plays David Copperfield – have more than one character to play and the production is so fast-paced that there are is one occasion when an actor has just over 30 seconds to change from one character to another. So the wardrobe department have to make sure that every item of each characters costume is in the right place and on the right side of the stage so that the actors can quickly make a change. With the play being set in the Victorian period the costumes are intricate so there’s lots of little things to remember.
During the last few weeks as well as staging the play, developing the characters, atmosphere and rhythm, the rehearsal period has also been a matter of working out logistics. The design of the play means that there are a lot of props to move around the stage – suitcases and other luggage become pieces of furniture or other set pieces. This means that the cast need to know exactly where to put the all the separate pieces while making it look like part of the on stage action.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this is a really fun adaptation. People who studied Dickens at school might have a negative perception of his work. Much like the way Shakespeare can be quite a daunting prospect if the only perception of his work you have is from the classroom. This production of David Copperfield is far from the staid lessons that you might remember from back then – it’s a zippy, witty production. There’s a reason why Dickens is one of Britain’s most famous writers.
Anyway, the production is in excellent shape and we will be doing a final dress rehearsal tomorrow afternoon.
See you at the theatre.
Kevin Shaw
Artistic Director
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