Director: largely absent.
Starring: Anna Birley - Zhu Ying Tai. Edward Mason - Liang Shan Bo. Wendy - Narrator.
Huanghe Science & Technology University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Monday 20th December 2010. 7pm. Director: largely absent. Starring: Anna Birley - Zhu Ying Tai. Edward Mason - Liang Shan Bo. Wendy - Narrator. Phew! We did it and, like all the classics - Disney classics at least - this had something for everyone. While it certainly wasn't much fun (it was no fun, actually) rehearsing, it was certainly a funny performance if the crowd's laughter was anything to go by. We survived and, the day after, are being congratulated for giving it our best shot. Yes, "the highlight of the show" has been mentioned...
We never actually got to do a dress rehearsal before stepping out on stage. The costumes arrived 24 hours, if that, before the show (thanks to the director for that) which was probably a good thing in the end - they smelled awful, and were stained, and the less time they were in the apartment the better really. We went to the auditorium a couple of hours before the start of the show to read our lines over and practice the pronunciation over and over with our students. Many of them were doing other performances in the show - singing and dancing - and were really impressive, by the way. Rehearsing backstage was less than encouraging. I read a few lines to Henry. "Not great, eh?" I asked, obviously looking for some meaningless encouragement. "No," he replied, "ridiculous." Thanks mate. Another student tried to pep me up by telling me Chelsea had just won a game, which was kind if ineffectual. Noticing I'd gone paler than a sheet, Anna covered me in foundation and my students put more than a sensible amount of glitter on my cheeks and nose. Ridiculous, yeah? Well, my hat looks silly so let's go all out. Technical gremlins aside - Anna's mic was really low at the start - I think/ hope the students in the audience enjoyed it. They laughed at each of my lines, possibly because my pronunciation was so off the mark or because my lines might have been funny. I only understand half of the script, and I don't think there are as many jokes as I got laughs. I was a little surprised by the volume of my microphone, and may have jumped a foot when I gave my first line - big laugh. Whoever was in charge of the smoke machine... well, he was either really enthusiastic or really bored and left the machine on for what seemed like half the scene. I couldn't see my cue cards in my hands (vaguely disguised as a fan) and waved the smoke with my huge, hanging Tang sleeves - another laugh. I'm not sure I'd say 'yes' today to doing something (in traditional Chinese without any help from the pseudo-organisers) in the next play but I'm really happy we did it, it went well and the students loved seeing the foreigners take on the language and get involved. It was great to see the students showing their talents Photos and, hopefully, a downloadable video are here.
8 Comments
Gran and gramps
12/20/2010 04:05:29 pm
I told you both of you would be the best China has ever seen. I wish we had a video of you both for our xmas enterainment. Lots of love and a Merry Christmas to you both love Gran xxxxxx
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Liang Shan
12/20/2010 04:36:21 pm
Thanks for texts/ emails of good luck. If you go to http://www.megaupload.com/?d=47KY3ZPJ you should be able to download the video! x
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12/20/2010 10:16:55 pm
Ignore above - the video's on YouTube (thanks to Seb) here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwjxbFBhZtk x
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DAD
12/21/2010 01:10:32 am
Great diary report ... and great video ... I've just seen it on YouTube. What a good laugh ... well done to both of you ... interesting acting style ... even more interesting costume Ed ... but why was Anna wearing her dressing gown ?
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Hattie
12/21/2010 01:19:46 am
AMAZING!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THE VIDEO! So funny guys! Well done. Think the audience were laughing at you, not with you, though xxx
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Sally B
12/21/2010 05:41:58 am
Thanks for showing us Ed. This is great and in spite of your before-play nerves you really seem to have enjoyed the performance! You certainly have got involved. Well done.
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mum
12/21/2010 05:18:38 pm
Loved it. Great entertainment. The audience seemed to be clapping all the way through so they also loved it. What stars you both are!! xx
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Gran
12/21/2010 06:58:36 pm
Hi Ed know blog today guess you are both resting after such a wonderful performance yesterday.LOVE YOU LOTS XXXXXX
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