Press Night

Seven weeks have slipped by since we began rehearsals for Crazy For You. It was a first day of introductions, a peak at the set & costume designs and a chance for everyone to learn a dance number together. We moved into the Gillian Lynne Theatre on 12th June to slowly tech through the show, adding lights, sound, costume, crew & orchestra, and the first preview was rapturously received by a full house on the 24th.

After some small tweaks to the show during the preview period, we have reached press night, when we officially “freeze” the show and the main creatives depart for their homes back in the US. Our work on the show outside of performances doesn’t stop; we continue with understudy rehearsals for the next few weeks, and I have the small matter of conducting the show to learn/get right this week!

It’s my first time working at the Gillian Lynne Theatre - a slightly strange design as the stage is actually three or four floors up, with the band platform two floors higher than that still! The orchestra are also ‘technically’ front of house, which has the advantage of being able to see friends and family in the foyer before the show and at the interval. We then disappear into our specially-built room for the show proper - a platform suspended above one of the wings, thankfully with its own supply of air conditioning!

It is also great to be back in this part of the West End. Taking a right out of stage door, the streets become very familiar after my months and years working at the Cambridge Theatre just down the road. It’s great to see that some of my favourite cafes and restaurants from those times are still going strong, whilst also getting to try out loads of new places. And as a way of helping the local economy, loads of establishments are offering us discounts and special memberships - a great way to feel welcome as a worker in the West End once again!