As part of our online Hard Times projects we’ve been tweeting a diary of rehearsals and landmarks in the production process via @hardtimesmcr. The story so far involves births and deaths (of geese), the ups and downs (of clog sizes) and the joys of gambling (in Dickensian times).
The diary is ongoing and Twitter users can subscribe to it here. Once the show is open, we’ll let you know daily how each performance unfolds. Take a look at the story so far …
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Quirky meeting note 21/04/11:Need foam to go around the toilet. Circus performers have been measured. Research English Hazard dice game.
26 Apr
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
First day of rehearsals for #hardtimesmcr tomorrow. Lots of new and possibly worried faces to greet! Then the rehearsal notes start here!
2 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Cast of 36 announced for #hardtimesmcr .Find out more herehttp://bit.ly/kwNHJk
3 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Todays rehearsals going well, covering pages 1-17. Cast see the mill for the first time at 5pm.
4 May
GarethCassidy by Hardtimesmcr
End of first day of @Hardtimesmcr rehearsals. Never seen so many people at a meet and greet! Great read-through though. All very exciting.
3 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Actors meet mill, mill meets actors #hardtimesmcr ow.ly/i/b8JI
4 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal Note 04/05/11: Please confirm that there is a mantelpiece above the fire in Blackpool’s hovel?
5 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 05/05/11: Mr Heap (Bounderby) needs to be eating something during Sc4; a pork chop has been suggested. #hardtimesmcr
5 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
06/05/11r.note:Of the clogs brought to rehearsals for Ms Anwar to try,the large lace-up ones are too big and the smaller ones are too small.
7 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
07/05/11 R.Note Could the stretcher please be in rehearsals, earliest possible Tuesday morning, Thursday at the latest. #hardtimesmcr
8 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Reherasal note 09/05/11: The money for gambling should be a mix of notes and gold and silver coins. #hardtimesmcr
9 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Our first #hardtimesmcr guest blogger hits the rehearsal room, and was she nervous … yes! http://bit.ly/jO6pTr
10 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Clog update! 10/05/11 Rehearsal Note: The clogs provided for Ms Anwar to rehearse in today are approximately one size too big.
10 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Webisode 2 The rehearsals are … #hardtimesmcr Actors nose around the mill and first read through. http://bit.ly/ixpI1d
11 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Our 2nd guest #hardtimesmcr blogger finds herself in a place where real life and the play keep switching! http://bit.ly/jUd1n6
12 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Reheasal Note 11/05/11: The net that Bizter is trapped in will need to be rigged towards the staircase end of the circus room.
12 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 12/05/11: Mr Honer will do some research over the weekend regarding gambling chips in the Victorian era.
12 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal Note 13/05/11: Mrs Gradgrind’s embroidery (should be a sampler with a proverb on it (“Waste not want not” has been suggested)
13 May
Hardtimesmcr librarytheatrelibrarytheatre stage crew save 6 baby geese from drowning in Murrays’ Mills. Hard Times for geese! http://ow.ly/i/bDAe
Breaking News:
16 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
R. Note 16/05/11: Harthouse’s letter of introduction (p39) should be on 1850s House of Commons notepaper,neatly folded and with no envelope.
16 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 17/05/11: Will it be all right for Hands to ‘paste’ posters up in Coketown on the lower floor?
17 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 17/05/11: Will it be all right for Hands to ‘paste’ posters up in Coketown on the lower floor?
17 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
R. Note18/05/11: 6 Circus Posters will be posted up every show with water. There will be 3-4 Cholera posters already up on the walls.
18 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 19/05/11: Stephen Blackpool and his Wife fall onto the bed with some force (p18), please make sure the bed doesn’t travel.
20 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
RN 20/5/11: Mrs Pegler’s basket is currently in rehearsals;it is a loan from Liz,pls make sure it is returned to her at the end of the run.
21 May
Hardtimesmcr @librarytheatre
Rehearsal note 21/05/11/; An injured mill-hand (in the installation) will need a stretcher, a sheet or blanket, and some blood.
21 May