Backstairs Billy– Week Six

Technical Rehearsals and Previews

This week will involve moving into the theatre to start our technical rehearsals. We’re all excited to see the set onstage for the first time and to start putting all the elements of the show together: set, lighting, sound, costume and wigs. Before that, we do a run-through on Monday and Tuesday morning in the rehearsal room. Doing this keeps all the hard work we’ve done over the past five weeks fresh and allows us to round off rehearsals and discuss the upcoming stages. 

On Wednesday morning, I head into the theatre to do some ‘dry tech’ with Michael and Lighting Designer Ryan Day. This gives us a chance to look through some of Ryan’s lighting ideas before the actors arrive, which is a useful opportunity for Michael to offer some suggestions and for us to have a template to work from. We also use this time to explore the set and make any small adjustments to the placement of furniture if needed. Christopher and his team have done an immaculate job and the set suits the Duke of York’s space well. 

We have two days to tech the show before opening to audiences on Friday night, so the work is quick and focused, and we’re able to fit in two dress runs before opening. As we’ve had to work at such speed, the preview period will be an essential use of time to finesse work from all departments up until ‘tech lock’ next week.  

Our first preview on Friday night is an exhilarating experience. First previews of new plays are unique as there is no real expectation of what the production might be, so it’s a special moment to share with audiences for the first time. They are supportive and there is a brilliant atmosphere backstage. The corgis receive a round of applause upon their entrance and the show receives lots of big laughs in places we both did and didn’t expect them. It’s a great litmus test to gauge what’s landing, something that will continue to develop across the preview period. 

We have around a week and a half of previews until Press Night, which gives the show a chance to settle into a tight and sharp rhythm and get responses from a range of audiences. It means that by the time we get there, we are ready to open and settle into the run ahead.