We will be welcoming the replacement for our injured cast mate today and because the world of circus is very small, and apparently has quite the sense of humour, the replacement is none other than A, the friend and acrobat I worked with for the last four years at my old circus!
And no, it wasn't me who recommended him. I have no idea how my circus found him, but found him they did. The Director of Artists did ask my opinion of him, but that was well after the conversation had started.
All I know is that I'm really excited to see my friend later this afternoon!
Showing posts with label replacements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label replacements. Show all posts
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Oh Right, That
As I’ve mentioned, N will soon be taking a leave of absence for medical reasons, as well as the birth of his baby. His replacement, who conveniently shares the same first name, has just arrived to get into show shape.
It should be noted that N the second will be taking N the first’s place in the show in one week. For the most part, N the second will only be replacing N the first as a musician. With one or two exceptions, most of the major character moments have been distributed to other cast members. There are, mind you, all the back stage cues and manipulations to learn, the order of the show, and of course, the pesky little detail of his costume.
Our N and his replacement have completely different body types. N the second tried wearing N the first’s costume today and wow… I mean… poor guy. It doesn’t suit him at all, which can be overlooked for a run of six shows. But the sleeves of the jacket are much too short for him, and the pants not only make him look like he’s wearing a diaper, but they keep falling off of him.
Of course no one thought to check out the costume situation when N the second was here a month ago. Today the director, in his infuriating way, just stated matter-of-factually that the costume designer would have to be contacted. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to learn that she has one week to make a costume for a man who was hired well over a month ago. So what if she’s never even laid eyes on him?
Considering the number of replacements we’ve had on this show, you’d think there’d be enough random bits of costume kicking around to cobble something together. I’m not entirely sure if I’m joking or not…
Sigh…
UPDATE! Turns out he would not have a costume made for him. N wore a pair of his own pants. But he did get a bow tie so, you know. Bow tie.
It should be noted that N the second will be taking N the first’s place in the show in one week. For the most part, N the second will only be replacing N the first as a musician. With one or two exceptions, most of the major character moments have been distributed to other cast members. There are, mind you, all the back stage cues and manipulations to learn, the order of the show, and of course, the pesky little detail of his costume.
Our N and his replacement have completely different body types. N the second tried wearing N the first’s costume today and wow… I mean… poor guy. It doesn’t suit him at all, which can be overlooked for a run of six shows. But the sleeves of the jacket are much too short for him, and the pants not only make him look like he’s wearing a diaper, but they keep falling off of him.
Of course no one thought to check out the costume situation when N the second was here a month ago. Today the director, in his infuriating way, just stated matter-of-factually that the costume designer would have to be contacted. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to learn that she has one week to make a costume for a man who was hired well over a month ago. So what if she’s never even laid eyes on him?
Considering the number of replacements we’ve had on this show, you’d think there’d be enough random bits of costume kicking around to cobble something together. I’m not entirely sure if I’m joking or not…
Sigh…
UPDATE! Turns out he would not have a costume made for him. N wore a pair of his own pants. But he did get a bow tie so, you know. Bow tie.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Let The Drummer Kick It
There’s been a veritable parade of replacements on this show (I’m waiting for the end of the tour to do the final tally) and the next one will be coming sooner than expected.
It was already planned that the drummer would miss the last week of shows in Lyon as he’s anticipating the birth of his first child. But now he’ll be leaving at the beginning of the month for an urgent, though not serious operation.
I know this show is about art, and that reproduction is a big theme in all that, but at this rate, less than half the troupe will have performed in every show of the run.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you, N.
It was already planned that the drummer would miss the last week of shows in Lyon as he’s anticipating the birth of his first child. But now he’ll be leaving at the beginning of the month for an urgent, though not serious operation.
I know this show is about art, and that reproduction is a big theme in all that, but at this rate, less than half the troupe will have performed in every show of the run.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you, N.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Where My Girls At?
Times are tough at the circus these days. There are many layers of drama and many layers of hurt, and they seem to be be cropping up all over the place. We've been working almost non-stop the past two months and I think it's fair to say we need a break. Nerves are frayed, people are tired, and a little space is most definitely in order.
On top of that, there's been quite a lot of change. It's been four months since C left the show and in the last city, L performed for the last time. Of the four women* on stage, I'm now the only one to have performed in every show.
I suddenly feel quite lonely on stage. It's not that I don't like the new ladies by my side, but it's not the same as having the people who were with you from the beginning. The people who shared the same experiences and lived through the same hardship, the ones comforted you when you broke down, and the ones you held up when they needed support in turn. There's something to be said for shared battle scars. And while I still have all the boys, of course, it's not the same as Team Canada.
Did I not mention that C, L and myself were the three Canadians in the troupe?
There is one moment in the show in particular where we're all seated next to each other. For the first time I had 'strangers' on either side of me. Maybe I'm just too sensitive, but it really hit me hard.
C's replacement isn't C. That's not to say that one person is better than the other, but D isn't C and I feel that every show and I miss C every day. And L, well... she needed two people to replace her. Two! And one of them in a Brazilian man! Needless to say, it's far from the same...
I admit it, I have a hard time with change and I miss my girls. And the worst part is, I'm pretty sure the change and the loss isn't over yet.
Sigh...
* B, like the two other founding members of the company who still perform, has a replacement and doesn't play all the dates. She is sometimes replaced by M.
On top of that, there's been quite a lot of change. It's been four months since C left the show and in the last city, L performed for the last time. Of the four women* on stage, I'm now the only one to have performed in every show.
I suddenly feel quite lonely on stage. It's not that I don't like the new ladies by my side, but it's not the same as having the people who were with you from the beginning. The people who shared the same experiences and lived through the same hardship, the ones comforted you when you broke down, and the ones you held up when they needed support in turn. There's something to be said for shared battle scars. And while I still have all the boys, of course, it's not the same as Team Canada.
Did I not mention that C, L and myself were the three Canadians in the troupe?
There is one moment in the show in particular where we're all seated next to each other. For the first time I had 'strangers' on either side of me. Maybe I'm just too sensitive, but it really hit me hard.
C's replacement isn't C. That's not to say that one person is better than the other, but D isn't C and I feel that every show and I miss C every day. And L, well... she needed two people to replace her. Two! And one of them in a Brazilian man! Needless to say, it's far from the same...
I admit it, I have a hard time with change and I miss my girls. And the worst part is, I'm pretty sure the change and the loss isn't over yet.
Sigh...
* B, like the two other founding members of the company who still perform, has a replacement and doesn't play all the dates. She is sometimes replaced by M.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
La Loi de l'Emmerdement Maximale
The only way I can think to write this post is as a long list of complaints. Personally, I don't really enjoy writing those kinds of posts, nor do I terribly enjoy reading those kinds of posts. And yet, when a series of events slides so far off base and so much goes so wrong, how else can you proceed?
Despite massive amounts of evidence suggesting that getting the show together in Voiron would be laborious at best, those in charge let personal relationships and what can only be described as denial guide us into two full days of misery.
As I mentioned in a previous post, A isn't here because he has a mad case of mono. C is replacing him and the director naively chose to believe that since C replaced him for two shows nine months ago, the transition would go smoothly. Only when C replaced A in Besac, he mostly just did the straps act. All of A's backstage cues were handed to other cast members. This was not the case here. And of course, A was at least in Besac and could be consulted for details and specifics. In Voiron, we are adrift.
Add to that the fact that the man who took most of A's manipulations in Besac isn't here either. His replacement is. So there's no asking P what to do either.
So we arrived in Voiron and proceeded as usual. Meaning we didn't meet until 2pm. The meeting found a very surprised group of people with a very packed rehearsal schedule. We had to rehearse all the moments with C. And we had to rehearse all the things that normally get rehearsed the day of a run through. We started the run at 9pm. When we got to the final act, the group trampo-wall number, we stopped. Everyone but the four main acrobats went back to the hotel. We, the acrobats, stayed past midnight making the act work. D isn't comfortable on trampoline and so she never took C's jumps. Without A, we're two people short in the act. There's only so much M, L and myself can do.
There's no denying the run-through was bad. And despite more rehearsals the morning of the premiere, the premiere wasn't much better. There were so many technical problems I can't even begin to name them all. C forgot the first of his newly acquired cues resulting in quite the impressive temps morts on stage. We're talking serious crickets. Unfortunately, the way it was dealt with meant that a later scene in the show no longer any made sense and so fell flat...
But the true gem is the moment where we set up the trampoline for the group act at the end. To put it mildly, there is no room. When people talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place they're talking about this moment.
The first time we tried it, we didn't realize just how little space we had. When we noticed that the structure was in the way, we naturally tried to push it further back. What we didn't realize is that there was a technical bridge in the way. We were pushing the bottom but the top was stuck on the bridge. I'm sure that in some alternate Universe the entire structure fell over, crushing L, C, and I to death. Fortunately, we just had the entire thing kick back and forcibly push us back to where we started.
Which brings us to the rock and hard place. One side of the trampoline is touching the curtain. The bass player, due to limited space on stage (what with a trapeze flying in his face and all) has to stand right up against the curtain, and therefore, the trampoline. As does the drummer. So there's no room on that side. But the other side has perhaps a margin of 10cm before the structure. Bear in mind, people need to walk back and forth between the trampoline and the structure, as well as the trampoline and the curtain. The whole thing just leads to much elbowing and suddenly finding yourself stuck between the trampoline and the structure because someone decided to get a little room elsewhere.
I've been pinched, crushed, bruised, had my head bashed, and formed blood blisters all by trying to set up the trampoline in this non-existent space. And the run isn't over yet.
Then there's the state of the music, the fact that we can't even hear the audience, the sound system crapping out (that was a fun show), the lighting system crapping out the same day as the sound system (fun fun fun), and my falling ill...
Nothing but good times.
Despite massive amounts of evidence suggesting that getting the show together in Voiron would be laborious at best, those in charge let personal relationships and what can only be described as denial guide us into two full days of misery.
As I mentioned in a previous post, A isn't here because he has a mad case of mono. C is replacing him and the director naively chose to believe that since C replaced him for two shows nine months ago, the transition would go smoothly. Only when C replaced A in Besac, he mostly just did the straps act. All of A's backstage cues were handed to other cast members. This was not the case here. And of course, A was at least in Besac and could be consulted for details and specifics. In Voiron, we are adrift.
Add to that the fact that the man who took most of A's manipulations in Besac isn't here either. His replacement is. So there's no asking P what to do either.
So we arrived in Voiron and proceeded as usual. Meaning we didn't meet until 2pm. The meeting found a very surprised group of people with a very packed rehearsal schedule. We had to rehearse all the moments with C. And we had to rehearse all the things that normally get rehearsed the day of a run through. We started the run at 9pm. When we got to the final act, the group trampo-wall number, we stopped. Everyone but the four main acrobats went back to the hotel. We, the acrobats, stayed past midnight making the act work. D isn't comfortable on trampoline and so she never took C's jumps. Without A, we're two people short in the act. There's only so much M, L and myself can do.
There's no denying the run-through was bad. And despite more rehearsals the morning of the premiere, the premiere wasn't much better. There were so many technical problems I can't even begin to name them all. C forgot the first of his newly acquired cues resulting in quite the impressive temps morts on stage. We're talking serious crickets. Unfortunately, the way it was dealt with meant that a later scene in the show no longer any made sense and so fell flat...
But the true gem is the moment where we set up the trampoline for the group act at the end. To put it mildly, there is no room. When people talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place they're talking about this moment.
The first time we tried it, we didn't realize just how little space we had. When we noticed that the structure was in the way, we naturally tried to push it further back. What we didn't realize is that there was a technical bridge in the way. We were pushing the bottom but the top was stuck on the bridge. I'm sure that in some alternate Universe the entire structure fell over, crushing L, C, and I to death. Fortunately, we just had the entire thing kick back and forcibly push us back to where we started.
Which brings us to the rock and hard place. One side of the trampoline is touching the curtain. The bass player, due to limited space on stage (what with a trapeze flying in his face and all) has to stand right up against the curtain, and therefore, the trampoline. As does the drummer. So there's no room on that side. But the other side has perhaps a margin of 10cm before the structure. Bear in mind, people need to walk back and forth between the trampoline and the structure, as well as the trampoline and the curtain. The whole thing just leads to much elbowing and suddenly finding yourself stuck between the trampoline and the structure because someone decided to get a little room elsewhere.
I've been pinched, crushed, bruised, had my head bashed, and formed blood blisters all by trying to set up the trampoline in this non-existent space. And the run isn't over yet.
Then there's the state of the music, the fact that we can't even hear the audience, the sound system crapping out (that was a fun show), the lighting system crapping out the same day as the sound system (fun fun fun), and my falling ill...
Nothing but good times.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Are You Kidding Me?
A will not be joining us in Voiron. He will not be joining us in Voiron because he is currently hospitalized with mononucleosis. There is a very good chance that he will not be joining us on tour in the New Year either.
Seriously?
We're already having auditions for a potential replacement for L in Voiron. I'm beginning to think that my health is not the only thing that's jinxed...
The only silver lining in all of this is that the man who will be replacing A in Voiron already replaced him for two shows back in the spring. So it stands to reason that we won't be spending the two weeks before Christmas trapped in a pitch dark theatre all day long, right?
Right?
Seriously?
We're already having auditions for a potential replacement for L in Voiron. I'm beginning to think that my health is not the only thing that's jinxed...
The only silver lining in all of this is that the man who will be replacing A in Voiron already replaced him for two shows back in the spring. So it stands to reason that we won't be spending the two weeks before Christmas trapped in a pitch dark theatre all day long, right?
Right?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Replacements
This is something I have avoided writing about since April. I probably should have mentioned it in June, but couldn’t bring myself to do it then either. Its almost November, the axe is about to fall, and I can’t put off writing about it anymore.
C is leaving the show.
That in itself is bad enough, but what pushed me over the edge and is really forcing me to write about the situation at hand is that L just announced that she too will need to be replaced. Only, while C gave notice in April and is officially ending her time on the tour next week, L needs a replacement for the next city.
Moreover, one of our technicians (D) is regularly replaced because he also works on another project. But now, Ch has asked to be replaced for some cities as well! D’s replacement is G. But he has (and is currently) subbing for Ch. Come the new year, however, G will be back to replacing D and so we need someone else to replace Ch. So it looks like R, our maintenance manager and former troupe stage manager, will be making his triumphant return to the stage to replace Ch for a couple of cities.
Confused?
How do you think we feel?
It is utter madness here. We’ve been in rehearsal every day since getting to Reze in order to train up C’s replacement. Personally, I feel that a lot of how the actual replacement process has been very poorly managed. I haven’t mentioned the whole replacement thing until now for a number of reasons, and that is why I will refrain from writing about the actual replacement. Not everything belongs in blogs.
But the level of stress is taking its toll. Everyone is in a terrible mood and I swear the director almost died when it was announced that L needed to be replaced. He aged a good 50 years in that moment. And L is totally the workhorse in this show. Replacing her will not be easy. In fact, it looks like they’ll need two people to replace her! If we thought the rehearsal schedule to replace C has been tough, replacing L may well kill us all.
Right now, I feel like the circus is crumbling around my feet. I’m about to lose my closest friend and confidante, and then L. And due to some other fun personal drama, it feels like I’m losing some of my other ties here as well…
I’m just planning on when is the best time to announce my departure*. You know, in order to produce the maximum amount of chaos… sigh…
* I shouldn't even have to post this, but just in case, I'm just joking!
C is leaving the show.
That in itself is bad enough, but what pushed me over the edge and is really forcing me to write about the situation at hand is that L just announced that she too will need to be replaced. Only, while C gave notice in April and is officially ending her time on the tour next week, L needs a replacement for the next city.
Moreover, one of our technicians (D) is regularly replaced because he also works on another project. But now, Ch has asked to be replaced for some cities as well! D’s replacement is G. But he has (and is currently) subbing for Ch. Come the new year, however, G will be back to replacing D and so we need someone else to replace Ch. So it looks like R, our maintenance manager and former troupe stage manager, will be making his triumphant return to the stage to replace Ch for a couple of cities.
Confused?
How do you think we feel?
It is utter madness here. We’ve been in rehearsal every day since getting to Reze in order to train up C’s replacement. Personally, I feel that a lot of how the actual replacement process has been very poorly managed. I haven’t mentioned the whole replacement thing until now for a number of reasons, and that is why I will refrain from writing about the actual replacement. Not everything belongs in blogs.
But the level of stress is taking its toll. Everyone is in a terrible mood and I swear the director almost died when it was announced that L needed to be replaced. He aged a good 50 years in that moment. And L is totally the workhorse in this show. Replacing her will not be easy. In fact, it looks like they’ll need two people to replace her! If we thought the rehearsal schedule to replace C has been tough, replacing L may well kill us all.
Right now, I feel like the circus is crumbling around my feet. I’m about to lose my closest friend and confidante, and then L. And due to some other fun personal drama, it feels like I’m losing some of my other ties here as well…
I’m just planning on when is the best time to announce my departure*. You know, in order to produce the maximum amount of chaos… sigh…
* I shouldn't even have to post this, but just in case, I'm just joking!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
No Rest for the Wicked
As I write this, I’m sitting in my caravan. I can hardly move for fatigue. I’m actually surprised by the speed my fingers seem to be typing with because I can’t imagine ever summoning that kind of energy again. And yet… tap tap tap… there they go!
Every part of me is sore. Including stupid things, like my speedy little fingers. Last night we pulled off a near miracle. A good thing too, what with last night’s performance being the premiere in my circus’ home town. As if the dramatic arts weren’t dramatic enough on their own…
The night before last, the night of the dress rehearsal, A was too sick to perform. So we put together some half-assed run where we mimed his presence and handed out his cues. My personal favourite moment would have been when 52 year old P pretended to do A’s strap act, bare-chested and all.
A is a fighter. I’ve seen him continue a show after crashing head first into the floor. And that too was a dress rehearsal. He could have stopped and it wouldn’t have mattered. He performed on a torn bicep for a ridiculous period of time. He is too proud, too stubborn, too good sit out.
Which is why I surely don’t need to tell you how shocked we were when, the morning of the premiere, we were told he would not be doing the show.
We were all so convinced that he would be up and moving come show time that we didn’t have a plan “B”. There was talk of canceling the premiere! Telling 1000 people to stay home. One thousand and one if you count the Dutch photographer who was coming in for one night only to get pictures for the Dutch portion of the tour.
Shit.
Phone calls were made. The beginning of the show was reworked, the group act was adapted. A replacement was found, but he only arrived some time after 16h00. He learned A's act and, as C and I basically sit on stage looking pretty the entire strap act, we coached him as he ran it. By the time we managed to go over everything, we were all late for the preset.
Somehow, we made it through. Under circumstances like that, I don't think there's any other choice. I suppose it's part of the magic of live performance. But I'm good for magic for the next little while. So let's have things get back to normal. Okay? Okay.
Every part of me is sore. Including stupid things, like my speedy little fingers. Last night we pulled off a near miracle. A good thing too, what with last night’s performance being the premiere in my circus’ home town. As if the dramatic arts weren’t dramatic enough on their own…
The night before last, the night of the dress rehearsal, A was too sick to perform. So we put together some half-assed run where we mimed his presence and handed out his cues. My personal favourite moment would have been when 52 year old P pretended to do A’s strap act, bare-chested and all.
A is a fighter. I’ve seen him continue a show after crashing head first into the floor. And that too was a dress rehearsal. He could have stopped and it wouldn’t have mattered. He performed on a torn bicep for a ridiculous period of time. He is too proud, too stubborn, too good sit out.
Which is why I surely don’t need to tell you how shocked we were when, the morning of the premiere, we were told he would not be doing the show.
We were all so convinced that he would be up and moving come show time that we didn’t have a plan “B”. There was talk of canceling the premiere! Telling 1000 people to stay home. One thousand and one if you count the Dutch photographer who was coming in for one night only to get pictures for the Dutch portion of the tour.
Shit.
Phone calls were made. The beginning of the show was reworked, the group act was adapted. A replacement was found, but he only arrived some time after 16h00. He learned A's act and, as C and I basically sit on stage looking pretty the entire strap act, we coached him as he ran it. By the time we managed to go over everything, we were all late for the preset.
Somehow, we made it through. Under circumstances like that, I don't think there's any other choice. I suppose it's part of the magic of live performance. But I'm good for magic for the next little while. So let's have things get back to normal. Okay? Okay.
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