FEATURES
FEATURES
AW Yeah this show was probably the most stressful backstage we’ve ever had.
the next six sketches were cut and we were frantic.
LW The more stressful it became the more smoothly it ran though, it was really weird!
AW Although I was upset that we had to cut sketches and stuff, I remember walking away from that Wednesday feeling great as you’re working with such a good team of people so when there’s a crisis like that you know that they’ve got your back.
AW It was such an excellent team, not just backstage but also with the tech with light and sound and they were just incredible. Lara [Staffurth] and I were being typical directors, shouting orders and screaming that we were cutting sketches so go and make it happen. LW I know, this was on the Wednesday and we had less than 30 seconds notice that
JG The great unpredictable element of the Christmas show is the audience, though in a way it’s all very predictable as you will get huge amounts of heckling, so how do you react to that? Photographs courtesy of Charlie Ding
Christmas Show ‘13 Snog-Web
AW The Wednesday night audience was certainly worse than any of us have ever had before. I think the Christmas show is not something critically appreciated, at least not on a Wednesday night, so you roll with the punches and a lot of the comedy comes with the interactions with the audience. JG The snogcam always seems to be your best weapon for that. AW The snogcam is a great equaliser. LW It’s the big saviour as it’s the only thing that will make everyone in the audience shut up, even if only for 20 seconds as it just gives us a bit of quiet backstage so we can organise because at times it is difficult to hear what’s going on, particularly on a Wednesday night.
Jan - Feb 2014
JG How about the dancing boys? I know there was a little bit of controversy over the prison story in their sketch… AW I think that’s a strength of the dancing boys (though I’m slightly biased as I had a cameo) they had a narrative going throughout their dance. I think lots of people have said it’s the best dancing boys they remember. LW I think that the dancing boys this year really were fantastic, as usual they’re a little bit more difficult to organise backstage but that’s just what they do. JG One of the best photos from backstage that I saw was of the snogweb.
JG Speaking of the dancing girls, how on earth do you manage them?
LW that’s a tradition!
AW The lead dancing girls were very good with us and they were trying their best not to get in the way. There was drama, which is inevitable, but it was controlled drama that we could deal with. But yes, sometimes it is a challenge having 68 intoxicated breasts on your hands.
GKT Gazette
AW Well you haven’t seen the plan for my elective…
AW backstage do such a good job as well because whenever they have everything under control a group of drunken third year girls will arrive screaming that each of them needs their hat and to have their cane ready and they do a great job.
LW Well there’s a routine that happens in terms of bringing them down and getting them ready backstage but what I personally find very useful when they’re in the wings and won’t shut up is you just threaten to not let them on stage because usually they believe you.
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LW That’s something you’ll never say again.
LW ah the snogweb. JG who came up with that?
AW That goes back at least as far as the cast can remember. I have to say that this is something Lucy’s department has to handle because what I’ve never understood is how so many of the backstage crew manage to get involved with the snogweb… LW We just feel underappreciated so we like to appreciate each other, that’s all it is… JG So what was the highlight of the show for you guys? AW God what a question. My personal highlight of the Christmas show had to be being in the Blue eyed maid on the Thursday
Jan - Feb 2014
GKT Gazette
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