Blogs by Ankur Bahl

Week 26: Press night

There is an unspoken rule between theatre makers and theatre critics: the crits won't write anything about a show until the designated 'Press Night'. This means a production can be tried out in front of an audience in previews without the fear of being judged by the local and national press. After Press Night, the production is open to anyone writing anything about it.

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Week 25: Impending addition

Moving to Stratford-upon-Avon for the season can be a difficult adjustment. It was particularly trying for actor Sandy Grierson; his partner Leah Lovett is pregnant with their first child.

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Week 24: Headgear

Head of Wigs Sandra Smith told me that there have been conversations about making a blond wig for me, should I ever have to go on in my understudy role as Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twlefth Night. Bruce MacKinnon's hair has been dyed for the role, but I didn't think it was mandatory for me to mimic this part of his performance.

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Week 23: Vomit - verbal and otherwise

The stage can be a very vulnerable place. It is made more so when your body turns traitor and slips out of your control.

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Week 22: A Tempestuous Tech

I walked into the theatre to everyone staring upwards. Sandy Grierson (who plays Ariel) was harnessed and suspended from the lighting rig, waiting to be dropped bungee-style from the sky.

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Week 21: Big News in a Small Town

I started my day at the Courtyard Theatre, where Chairman Nigel Hugill ended months of speculation as he announced who would take over from Michael Boyd as the new Artistic Director of the RSC.

Nigel said 'It's one of our own:' Greg Doran.

As a newcomer to Stratford and to the RSC, I felt a bit like a voyeur.

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Week 20: Crane Pains

This week has been much like the hundreds of Indian weddings I've attended. It's chaos as the preparations come together. Everyone has doubts whether it will actually happen. And then, the minute the lights go on, and the band starts to play, all the pieces fall into place, and everyone has a damn good time.

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Week 19: Relocating and dislocating

Just before the second preview, I arrived backstage left ready to go on as Curio, when I heard 'Ow. Shit. Oh God. Shit.'

Not good.

Bruce was sitting on the floor, clutching his arm. Wincing with pain, he said to get the stage manager—he had dislocated his shoulder.

I am Bruce's understudy.

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Week 18: Over and Out

This was our final week of rehearsals in Clapham, and personally and professionally it was the most hectic week yet.

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Week 17: English for Americans

Learning to replicate an accent is almost like learning a new language; though you recognise the words on the page, you have to override you natural inclinations for how to pronounce them.

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