First Hurdle...

Last night was the first read through of “The fiendish experiment of professor Ohnelieb”. This is a time when the cast will sit together with the technical team and read the script from start to finish without stopping. We had 10 people turn up, quite a number as the team is normally four people and the script is written for five.

Word has got around that we are up to something new and it seems that people want to be involved. Most people were interested in the technical/properties and costumes side of the piece, but we’ve got three new cast members, which is a great challenge.

After the read through everyone was more excited, and contrary to my pessemistic expectations, we have the manpower to get the job done. There are people taking care of properties, costumes, and technical work, which leave Domi and myself free to direct.

For people used to the traditional church drama scene this is quite a radical change from the norm, so We aren’t sure if it will be accepted. I think we’ve lost the ability in the church to tell parables like Jesus did, and we tend to think that theatre is preaching. The aim of this piece is to be a good story, and to prepare a springboard for the preacher to preach from.

The script has been carrefully designed that sermons can take place before the beginning of the drama, between scene 1 and 2, and finally between scene 2 and 3, when people are more attentive because there is more story to come. From experience outdoors people drift off after the end of a drama, especially if they see someone about to preach at them.

The next hurdle is Tuesday night when we have to pray that the plans for the service will be accepted. There is a possibility that we will have the chance to read through the script, so people can get an idea of how it flows. We have a very excited team who will be inviting people to come, in fact we had to ask the team not to tell anyone what happens in the piece, beyond a general idea, so that the mystery and interest can build from now.