Issue 51 - University of Surrey's Student Union

Dance/Theatre Editor: Tiffany Stoneman | Copy Editor: Hannah Wann Wednesday 14 th November 2012DANCE & THEATRE 33Revelations from the Rehearsal RoomBy Abigail Oscroft, Dance & Theatre TeamWorking in a rehearsal room can beincredible; chock-full of creative peoplebouncing ideas around like big inflatable beachballs. On the other hand, rehearsal rooms canalso be a place of tension and high stress.Honestly, some rehearsal situations in thepast have led to my firm conviction that not allof us would leave the studio alive. Fortunately,in this respect, I have always been incorrect andalthough egos have been brutally slaughtered,real people have very rarely been injured.I am currently in rehearsal with the TheatreSociety, and with the performance of ‘TheImportance of Being Earnest’ looming evercloser - just over a month away in fact - it wouldbe easy for those involved to become extremelystressed.However, this has not been the case, and ingeneral I don’t think it usually is. To be frank Idon’t think that I have done the rehearsal roomjustice in this article. You see, although thestudio can occasionally be a place of anguish, itcan also be a place of joy and wonder. In a trulygreat rehearsal room actors feel safe to makebold character decisions, play with the text andto take risks - this has been my experience so farwith ‘Earnest’.For when rehearsals pass by like a sleepydog charging energetically towards a glasspatio door, and everyone comes crashing backto earth realising that they are not in thelush, green garden that was hoped for. A greatrehearsal room flings open the sliding glassdoor to creativity and yells “Run Fido! Run! Thewhole garden is yours!” But whatever you do inthe rehearsal room, do not make a mess in thegeraniums.© Chris MedleyWatch This Space:Arts At SurreyThe Guildford School of Acting are in full swing,having already put on two productions this year,and another two over the next coming weeks.Keep an eye out for their next shows.What: The Gut GirlsWhen: 21 st -24 th NovemberWhere: The Mill Studio, Yvonne ArnaudPrice: £5 (£10 full)___________________________________The theatrical societies are in the midst of rehearsals,and there are two fantastic productionscoming up for you to enjoy.Who: MADSocWhat: You’ve Been TaggedWhen: 26 th -28 th NovemberWhere: TBCA piece of straight drama filled with mystery and currentthemes. Keep a look out around campus for the SmileyStickers. Have you been tagged?___________________________________Who: TheatreSocWhat: The Importance of Being EarnestWhen: 10 th -11 th DecemberWhere: Ivy Arts Centre, Studio 2Time: 7:30pmThis classic play by Oscar Wilde is being brought to life bythe Theatre Society. Filled with class humour, innuendo,and mistaken identity, it’s sure to be a sophisticated giggle.