Reality check...

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Sparkleshark is probably the most comedic show we have done for our Connections type project…and the journey we are making with it seems to be proving again and again that comedy takes as much, if not more, integrity than tragedy…maybe, in fact, it just illustrates a universal truth that all theatre requires utter integrity…I think, on reflection, this is probably the case…

I kept getting nervous today in rehearsals…it was such a rollercoaster ride…as there was a lot of laughter throughout the rehearsal…and laughter always feels good…but not all of it was for the right reasons…at it’s best the laughter was inspired by the playwright and the play and the actors were simply a vehicle for that…they were a talented and able and technically adept vehicle but in these wonderful moments all of the elements were symbiotically enmeshed…actors were being brave and intelligent, creative and responsive…at it’s worse the audience were laughing at the actors themselves and the play instantly became self indulgent…

What became very clear is that what needed in order for the two versions of Sparkleshark to reach their potential is a tremendous amount of self discipline and graft…we can only do a certain amount in rehearsals…the rest is the daily regime of thought, reflection and investment…it comes down to the same conversation I have had with a number of professional practitioners recently…musicians will play scales and musical works every day…dancers will work through their set exercises…and in a world where this produces virtuoso performers what gives actors the right to think they can walk on stage and something will miraculously happen to make them look good…truth is it won’t happen and truly brilliant performances are created by truly committed actors…

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