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History ensemble member Nick Asbury on housemates old and new.
Housemates
It's Day 575 in The RSC House. Roughly. And Nick is sitting in the corner in a quiet moment musing over his sword and counting the days backwards.
 This project sometimes does feel like Big Brother when the press turn up and hang about in the rehearsal rooms to do some article (like they did last year when Michael described us as a "right bunch of nutters") or when we do the Press Nights and the reviews come out. It would, of course, be alot more interesting than Big Brother. We've got swords for a start. And we ARE a bunch of nutters. And I love every single one of 'em.
We were all dragged in this morning to try and stage the end of the siege of Harfleur. About six or seven goes through (poor Geoffrey: having to summon up the big "How yet resolves the Governor of the town?" speech from his boots every time) and we were all sacked again. Cue much pointed packing of bags. But this is what we have to do. We are experimenting in ways we cold never have dreamt of when this project began. The simple act of having twenty or so blokes all crowded around first the galleries and then on stage then cheering off stage then quietly coming on at the end was a process whereby Michael and Geoffrey could experiment with the power that 'army' presence brings to the speech. The fact that we're all now cut from the scene doesn't matter as it will immeasurably help Geoffrey in his mind that his tired and bedraggled army ARE there. And thence of course the audience will feel that they are there too. And you never know, Michael might bring us all in once we get to the theatre.
Tired and bedraggled is a fairly apt phrase for most of us at the moment. Well, me anyway. I've a filthy cold and I'm sleeping on various mates' floors, sofas and spare beds whilst we rehearse. I'm immensely grateful but there are times, especially with a runny nose and a head that feels like a slurry pit, when you just want your own bed. I keep on getting leeks shoved down my mouth by Jon Slinger (he just won't stop) and there are plenty of scenes where I don't have the faintest idea of what I'm doing.
I'm loving it.
Roll on Day 576....
Oh, and my little nephew Samuel William Stuart Asbury was born this morning! His middle two names are my late father's names. My big brother is little Samuel's father. I am immeasurably proud. And he's a much better BIG Brother than the one on TV.
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About blogger Nick
Likes: Cricket and music. Fields and dark pubs with no music
Dislikes: Lager, crowded streets and light bars with music |
