I have a cunning plan!

So... We're about to start the planning for the next SE Berks Gang Show! 18-23rd February 2013 seems like ages away, but it's actually much closer than you think! A lot of planning and man hours go towards the show before rehearsals even start, but there's no point in building scenery, or practicing dance moves or sewing costumes if we don't have any items for them to go towards.


So how do we build a show?



Well first off, you need to start with builders. Representatives from each of the different departments, Costume, Scenery, Sound, Lighting,  plus the Choreographer, and the three Producers meet up on a Sunday afternoon, usually with refreshments, and we brainstorm various different ideas we might have. Sometimes we come with a definite item ready to go, and other times we just have a vague idea to work from.

Too true!

Discussions are had about any significant events coming up, and whether we can include them in the show. In the 2011 show, we had an item on preparing for the Olympics, and this year we included My Fair Lady, to link with 300 years of Ascot Racecourse. Sometimes though, it's just not possible to include certain events. At last year's meeting, we played with the idea of something marking the sinking of the Titanic, as it's 100 years since the event, but could not think of a way to build an item around what was essentially a terrible tragedy.


Once we have an idea for an item, we then need to break it down to see if we can make it work on stage. We need to think about any songs or pieces of music that would fit, and about what costumes would be required. Scenery and props weigh in too, and what sometimes seems like a very simple and maybe bland item takes on a life of its own.  For example, last year an offhand remark from me about how awesome it would be to do Harry Potter, turned into a discussion about how to make moving pictures, and have lights that appears as if they're floating!

We also have to balance a mix of song and dance numbers, with sketches, and that we are picking items suitable for the mix of cast members that we have. There's not much point in doing a item involving 20 adults, if we only have 10 adult cast members, or a big number involving 50 small kids, when all our kids are really tall! Obviously, we don't yet know who we will get auditioning to join the show, but we have to be prepared for all situations. We also have to consider the talents of our current cast, because we do not want to create an item with complicated dance routines if half your cast have three left feet!

Our meetings end up looking very similar to this!

Mixed in with all of these discussions, we are also considering sketches, and running orders, and what has worked well in the past. Many of our audience have been attending the show for years, and while we have 'crowd pleaser' items tucked into our repertoire, we are aware that we don't want to seem repetitive. Every show is different, and every time we do an item that has been done before we are improving on the earlier work, but it's also nice to shake things up and throw in something new.


But of course, it's not all about what we want to see! It's also about what you want to see! So tell us! I can't guarantee that every idea will get into the show, but any ideas contributed will certainly be discussed at length! It would be fantastic to walk into the meeting, ideas in hand, and just tick them off as they're added to the running order!


So suggest anything and everything... songs, dances, costumes, props, sketches, musicals! You name it, we'll try to fit it in! Just comment below or on our FaceBook page and we'll do our best!


and remember...

Whattchagotta do?

SMILE!!!!!