Another good principals rehearsal last night …. It’s good to be back at WTC … despite the fact that due to an accident over the weekend, our beloved piano ended up on its back in pieces (I’m sure there’s a joke there somewhere!)… But they have rebuilt it, and it is as good as ... the second hand bashed about piano it always was!!!
On a costume front, it is hoped, once again, that we (WWOS) and the members can come up with a lot of these ourselves …… we have to think America & the 50s … who remembers Happy Days … that’s the look we are hoping for (No Gary, you can’t be the Fonz!) We are drawing up a list of needs, at this stage I can tell all the men that they will need a single breasted dinner suit (with thin trousers … sorry no flares Adrian!)
See you all on Wednesday, back at the club, at …… 8 o’clock sharp.

Went on a bit last night … but we nearly finished “I Love A Little Town” … almost there. As said at the end of last night, we will finish it off next week and hopefully start something new.
A few missing last night, most with worthy excuses, but you must understand the frustration of having to set things AGAIN when missing people finally turn up. Please try and block out every Wednesday in your diaries and in your mind for WWOS. Witches is a very complicated show to set, with a lot of precise movement which needs rehearsing.(Weekly moan now over!)
Oh, and, Well done Gary, for the bit of rehearsal you attended!
The new Churchill brochure should be out next week, so the usual initial press releases will be sent and the Witches Excitement can officially begin.
Publicity for this show is very important, and if anyone has access to any trade magazines, Church brochures, resident association newsletters OR anything similar, that could include a small or large article, press release or advert PLEASE let me or Vicky Faint (Our over worked publicity manager) know & we will provide yo with a suitable insert. It maybe that we could simply slip such publication with a handbill … the important end result is to SELL ALL THE TICKETS!!

Good principal rehearsal with the three Witches, the Gabriels, Darryl and the Young lovers. At least one scene completed with books down!
Although John doesn’t physically have the tickets yet, he is taking orders, that can be booked by phone 020 8462 5824 or via the web …. Follow the link on the Witches page!
I cannot stress how important it is to sell this show well!
See you all on Wednesday at Wickham Halls again …At 8PM!

Another good rehearsal last night, and on Valentines Night! shame about the odd gaps, I assume all those missing last night were out dining & wining their loved ones! We seem to be getting through the setting quickly, the problem will come when we have to brush up on the music! AND then do it altogether (Music & Movement!) It is helpful if people do some homework between Wednesday rehearsals, learning word and harmonies. Thankyou for all those who obviously have!
Thanks also to Martin, our relief Pianist, for filling in so well.
The dancing auditions went well and Sue chose her troup .. (Well done to Gary who scraped through again!) There will be some separate dance rehearsals scheduled soon, so watch the website & listen to announcements!
Oh, and for everyone’s information, the rehearsal schedule can be viewed at the society’s website http://www.wwos.org.uk/ with links from the Title page, the Next Show page and the Site Plan.
One final point ... PLEASE START SELLING THOSE TICKETS ... ONLY 5250 TO GO!!

Good principal rehearsal last night ….just a few of us in Wickham Halls ….. the witches are sounding great together … and we seem to be plotting quickly …..
Wednesday is at Wickham halls again, with the full company for the opening and reprise (with some minor changes as numbers fluctuate) and Paul on the piano. Sue will also be taking time out to audition the Dancers so come prepared with your body stockings & leg-warmers!

ON ANOTHER POINT ….Do you realise, The Churchill Theatre celebrates it’s 30th birthday this year …. Which also means we have been performing there for all that time. Witches will be our 48th full production at The Churchill, not forgetting the 20 or so Music Hall matinees and the odd concert. We will be taking some part in the Theatre’s birthday celebrations so watch this space!See you all on Wednesday AT 8!

A Good first company floor rehearsal, we managed to set the whole of the opening. A few were missing, most had given acceptable apologies, some blamed the snow (that fell this morning!!!) and some just didn’t show …. The full company are only called once a week … please try and avoid arranging other things for those nights … oh, and one other point …there still seems to be a confusion about the start time for rehearsals … Just to confirm …

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY EVENING REHEARSALS BEGIN AT 8 O’CLOCK WHICH IS 20:00 hrs. I do get annoyed when people can't be bothered to make the effort to arrive on time! (Moan over)
Thank you to Brook, our student pianist who filled in for John and Paul last night … a daunting task for anyone. Paul will be back with us next week, when it is again at Wickham Halls and begins at 8 PM!
Next week, it will be a Valentine's Special, when we will refresh our memory on the opening, hopefully with all words learnt, and then set the short reprise, which is just before Daryll’s entrance. I don’t think we’ve sung that through yet, as it involves several groups (a bit like the Rumour in Fiddler!!) And then, towards the end of the evening … the dance/movement auditions.
Tickets are now on sale through our own box office on 020 462 5824 …. So if you want good seats please phone through your preliminary orders now. Please think about selling this show NOW as it is an expensive production to put on with all the flying and special effects.
Monday’s rehearsal will be for the three witches, Daryll, and Jennifer (I know Michael is not available) for music & setting.

Upwards & Onwards .....

Music rehearsal last night, for just Jo, Susan & Amanda ……. (Jane,Sukie & Alex ... same initials!!).... A lot of close harmony for the three of them, which sounds great. I went along to do some blocking work for Wednesday, but ended up sitting back & listening.
Anthony was also there so we took the opportunity to some early work on his dialogue.
One more piece of BREAKING NEWS :-We have a new man coming Wednesday, a waiter picked up one night by WWOS talent scouts Jacqui, Josie and Tracy! According to them he has good co-ordination! (?)

Full Company Music Rehearsal last night, the first full rehearsal since the auditions. Very good turn out, although there are still some people who are not aware of the fact that evening rehearsals begin at 8pm!
It was also the last Music Only rehearsal … from now on we start to block it, however we will be revising the music each week and it is hoped that everyone will do some homework between rehearsals learning the words and music in advance of setting the number!
We are now fully cast, having heard both Michael auditions again, this time singing opposite Nicola who will be playing Jennifer … the part went to Anthony …
We have a total cast of 53 …. Not the 75 of Titanic, but still a big cast. We could do with a few more men, and if anyone knows anyone who is interested, please let me know!
The dance auditions will take place on 14th Feb, 2 weeks time, but Sue Finn (Hann that was) will be there next Wednesday to tell us what she is looking for.
The handbills & posters are out and Tickets are on sale now! Hopefully the new Churchill Theatre Brochure will be out mid-Feb, until then we have to spread the word ourselves!
People keep saying to me that we have plenty of time …. But the time will go quickly and it is a big show to set and sell …. We all have to work NOW (setting, learning & Selling!) and not leave it to the last minute!
Onwards & Upwards … Music rehearsal for the 3 Witches on Monday at WTC (which may involve further underwear discussions) , then first floor rehearsal next Wednesday, for full company at Wickham Halls.