Treasure Island Assistant Director Ellie Clare Taylor takes us behind the scenes…
For all of us at the New Vic Theatre, it feels a little bit like Christmas is already here. We’re three weeks into rehearsals for Treasure Island, and although we’re all very busy, our rehearsals have been incredibly fun and exceptionally loud! Because Treasure Island involves lots of music, singing, dancing, fighting, puppetry, (and our fantastic young company of 24) we often rehearse several scenes simultaneously.
James Atherton, our Composer, has been working non-stop with our wonderful cast to create the music for the show, whilst our Choreographer, Bev Edmunds-Norris choreographs all the dances, Theresa and I work on the scenes, the staging and the story. Fight Director Philip makes sure our fights look spectacular (and are completely safe!). Sometimes these rehearsals can all be taking place at the same time, but when Theresa brings all this hard work together, the result is very exciting for all. Our cast are so talented – having to learn music, play live, sing, dance, act and fight – but they are embracing the challenge! I can’t wait to see how the play will develop next week, in our final week of rehearsals, before we leave our rehearsal room and head to the New Vic stage to add in all the technical elements.
Although this is my second show as Assistant Director at the New Vic, this is my first Christmas show here. I had such a fantastic time on Around the World in 80 Days, I was really excited to be returning to the New Vic rehearsal room, and to be part of such a fantastic, imaginative, ambitious creative team and company once again.
Ellie Clare Taylor