The Crainies :: Posted 12-03-2008

Scripts for ‘The Crainies’ were distributed at the beginning of the Autumn Term and rehearsals started in earnest with Barbara Langley and Christine Rees joining the team on Thursday evenings to hear lines and improve diction. Edith Peck came in to teach the songs and Caroline Holloway taught the movement sequences mostly at the weekends.

The children worked hard and were ready after Christmas to ‘up the anti’. Unfortunately some of the support team were indisposed for the first half of term which meant that we bought in extra help in the form of Jo Kindred (who was a great help working with the children on characterisation which she is a dab hand at herself) and Anna Castleton who has numerous years of experience with the club and was very efficient.

The show had a smooth run in technical terms and was of a very high standard. The script was thought provoking and funny (which the children at the schools performances particularly appreciated). Louise was particularly pleased with the final product. The Cut gave Louise a good ‘send off’ as this will be the last ‘big’ production she undertakes there.

Excerpts from one person’s email to Louise afterwards: How did I know I was on to a certain winner today, and I feel so lucky and privileged to have taken "the right road" on a Friday morning that will stay long in the memory..........thanks to you and your wonderful cast of young performers ! The Show had all the ingredients for a magical experience: a really meaningful and thoughtful script, some highly polished acting and confident singing, highly imaginative staging and clever direction, all the colours of the rainbow, and above all, great conviction and enthusiasm. Just hope the people of Halesworth will turn out and give you the support the quality of the performance so richly deserves.