AS WE GET nearer to opening night (less than five weeks away!), activity is intensifying.
Last week we had our first rehearsal in the magnificent Cathedral nave.
An incredible experience for everyone – actors, the adult chorus and musicians (including Karamba Samba’s fabulous drummers) had a chance to get used to the space, while the technicians tested sound systems to make sure that every word and note is heard by the whole audience.
The technical team then headed to Flint where the set is being built by SetFree Projects.
It looks just like designer, Judith Croft’s model but much bigger.
One of the key tasks was to try out film projection on the specially designed screens. Relief all round, I’m happy to say – it looked fantastic.
The Harlequin Project team has come up with some brilliant effects while sharedmedia.tv has devised a way of making a rectangular image fit perfectly into an arch.
A massive weekend of rehearsals followed, culminating in a performance by the adult chorus at the new Lord Mayor’s Civic Service at the Cathedral.
Once more, the hairs stood up on the back of the neck as they sang the moving Yet Hope I, while feet tapped to Noah’s hornpipe.
“It was a hugely successful performance and a great honour for us to perform on this very special occasion,” said chairman, Jo Sykes.
“Matt Baker’s music sounded just wonderful in the nave.”
The weekend finished in style with Happy Birthday for an 18-year-old angel and cakes from one of our ‘gossips’.
And then we started all over again on Monday with a rehearsal for the children’s chorus – anteaters, rhinos, mice and monkeys.
Tickets for the 2013 production of Chester Mystery Plays are now on sale at www.chestermysteryplays.com or by calling 01244 500959.
