Entry for 15th May, 2008

Welcome to the Blog of the Kindly Cuppa
40 Cups of Tea With 40 Friends
is my goal in life.
And it must be done before 10th July.
Click here to find out why.
If you would like to be my friend and earn a QCT (Qualifying Cup of Tea) then let me know.
No. of QCTs to date: 18
Yesterday was a really successful day in terms of casting One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We managed to get two really good actors for relatively minor roles. One of the problems with casting a really big ensemble piece is trying to get depth of quality in the cast. I'm a great believer in trying to get actors who look "right" for the parts. I think that you are fighting a losing battle with the audience if you start casting against type (even if the actors are really good).
This theory is pretty easy to put into practice for small shows where you only have to cast about half a dozen actors, but when you're casting a big show (16 actors in the casr of Cuckoo's Nest) it's quite tough - many people don't want to commit to a show for a relatively small role, and equally, it's not always possible to find people you already know who are right for the parts.
However, in a way that's what makes it exciting. I get to work with new people. One of the actors I've cast works as the Head Concierge in a major Edinburgh Hotel. He was the smartest dressed auditionee I have ever met. Most actors tend to sport a rather down-at-heel Bohemian look; baggy black clothing, faded jeans and trainers that last saw the inside of a shoe box in 1998. However, not The Concierge. He was ready for his shift; immaculate in his black suit, grey tie and manicured moustache. I'm delighted to say he can also act. He will be playing a drunken orderly (should that be disorderly).
Come to Edinburgh and see him. I can guarantee we will be at least the second best production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that will be produced by a Lanarkshire theatre company during the Summer of 2008. With a following wind we might even be the best. Miss us at your peril.