Duel...

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Last night saw the rollercoaster ride that was Nostell 2k11 draw to a close…it was magnificent…a word I rarely use…a record 27 actors took part and proved again that Black Company and it’s associates are something very special indeed…my evidence for using a word as overblown and excessive as magnificent are as follows…

Two months ago the Duel was simply an idea in my head, one month ago it was still just that plus a list of characters and a cast list…in the space of just 4 weeks it was transformed from that abstract set of things into a joyful theatrical event where an audience of 100 supporters of Yew Tree were treated to an evening of Youth Theatre at it’s best…

The ingredients for making it such a brilliant event are complex and not easily summed up however I shall attempt to…firstly it’s about getting together a group of people who are committed to a common goal and prepared to put aside their own needs, as far as they possibly can, to strive towards those that are shared…secondly it’s about trust, trust in themselves and in each other and in the director and equally in the script…without that magnificent things just don’t happen…thirdly it’s about responsiveness to the direction you’re given, to the other actors and to any external factors…like for example having to change the venue of the performance 6 hours before the audience arrive…and it’s also a lot about investment, of time, of self and of energy. Finally when all those foundations are in place it’s about seizing the moment…and that’s exactly what the cast of “Duel” did. Last nights performance was a festival of everyone putting in maximum effort to make the performance the best thing it could be…each actor challenged themselves to overcome their personal barriers and achieve their next area of development as a performer and as a result “Dual,” was a delight for me as the writer and director to watch. I was so proud of you and impressed by you…every last one of you…so Black Company…make sure you take a moment to enjoy the fruits of your labour and all those who came to support them thank you for your commitment and effort…it was lovely to share “Duel” with all of you…

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