The Tent | Megan's Head

Summing up, winding down, speeding off

On December 7, 2009

I have tons on my mind at the moment, and I’m feeling just like the blue arsed fly. It’s been a whirlwind of world cup fever (did anyone else notice the not so fantastic lip sync mess of the gorgeous Angelique Kidjo?), last minute TheatreSports performances, the handing in of proposals for a project next year, a bout of a tummy bug, still biting my nails to hear about whether The Tent will be accepted onto the Grahamstown main festival next year, and getting ready to go overseas!!!! I am accompanying my friend and 12 of her 17 year old students on their art and kulcha tour of France and Italy!

I have only been to Holland and Germany in Europe, for work, so a visit to Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, with a transit in Istanbul is making me very excited and happy. And nervous! It has been 4 degrees in Rome these last couple of days. The idea of a pre-Christmas Europe is thrilling. I am imagining the train journey through the snowy landscape, the Venice Christmas night market, the small ice rink on the first floor of the Eiffel tower, the icy fountains in Rome.

I need a dollop of kulcha. I need to look at really old buildings, listen to old language, see gorgeous old art and walk really old streets. And I’ll be doing it all through the eyes of the young and fresh.

I hope my jacket is warm enough!

That terrible feeling

By megan

On November 18, 2009

In deeply personal, xenophobia

“I know. It’s happening.”, says Samson in The Tent. And yesterday it started again in De Doorns. Zimbabweans were chased out of their homes, which were destroyed by South Africans who claim they are ‘stealing their jobs’.

I cannot begin to explain to you what I feel. Mostly it’s rage. And also fear. I also feel physically sick when I think about it. How can people do this to each other?

We have to sleep with one eye open. We have to watch their backs. Please. No more xenophobia. Please. No more violence. Please. No more unfixable heartache for these, the most displaced and desperate.

The Tent comes down

By megan

On November 14, 2009

In deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff

I’m feeling quite sad actually. Tonight is the final performance of this run of The Tent and I don’t really know if it is ever going to happen again. I want to thank everyone who made this run possible; cast, crew, Artscape’s New Writing Programme and those of you you who came, gave feedback, encouragement and affirmation.

THE TENT 110

Finally; The Tent. Up and Open

By megan

On November 1, 2009

In deeply personal, me on stage, theatre stuff

Yay. From today there will be other things in my life. We opened last night and I was really happy. I like this play. I love my designer Alfred Rietmann and his set and lights, and Pitchie Rommelaere’s phenomenal sound. I adore my stage manager Lucas Macuphe. But, most importantly I am completely in love with my extraordinary, talented, diverse, committed and gorgeous cast. Indulge me. I am going to list them and extol their virtues.

Sizwe Msutu. Accomplished, magnetic, powerful. Brilliant story teller and character actor. A rock and a pivot. A star.

Nicola Hanekom. I am in awe of this, one of South Africa’s most shit hot actresses. She is unbelievable. Most talented, beautiful, committed, emotional, connected and creative. She takes the character Ruth to another place.

Pierre Malherbe. So, so good, A director’s actor. Questioning, involved and super skilled. This guy makes the play.

Nelson Chileshe Musonda. Gorgeous. Talented. Delightful. Hilarious. nobody else could be Samson.

Leon Clingman. Creative, serious, intelligent, hardworking. He turned the character of Charlie into a person.

Albert Pretorius. I love watching this guy. Mark my words. He is going places. Brilliant. Catch him in the incredible …miskien at The Intimate later this month.

Deborah Vieyra. She stepped in at short notice and made my life so easy. A delightful, charming, gorgeous actress.

Lungelo Sitimela. Hilarious, hard working, intuitive. An old fashioned, proper, real actor.

A cast from the theatre gods. Thank you for making my dream come true.

Almost properly Up

By megan

On October 31, 2009

In me on stage, theatre stuff

THE TENT 097 Last night was the 2nd preview. We officially open The Tent tonight. But it was like an opening for me last night because my special people were there. Big Friendly, my boet and cousin from Jozi and my long best friends. They gave it the stamp of approval. And, if they like it I am totally happy.

I thought that last night’s show was fantastic. For a second performance in front of an audience the rhythm and pace and intention was so good. What also delighted me (and this has been a preoccupation of mine with this play) was that it appealed to a mixed audience, in terms of colour. In Cape Town there is not the same black theatre going audience as in Jozi, and often theatre productions themselves are either black or white in terms of cast, issues, and also audience appeal. So, even though last night was a mostly invited audience, it was a mixed bunch, and everyone seemed to ‘get it’.

Tonight is the fancy opening. Big Friendly will be happy because it’s when there are vetkoek and soup after the show.

The Tent; out of the woods but not lying in a chair next to the fire, reading a book, yet.

By megan

On October 30, 2009

In me on stage, theatre stuff

So last night was our first audience, with our first preview. It was totally nerve wracking and we were all a leetle anxious. Naturally, the rhythm was a bit out of whack; some things were too slow and others were too fast. There are a few front of house issues that we need to work on, and the non arrival of bookings was a bit misleading. But, on the whole, even if I say so myself, it went off pretty smoothly. I am so glad we get another chance to find the rhythm tonight, before we open tomorrow.

This play has totally taken over my mind. I dreamed last night that I was married to one of the cast!

Next week will be hilarious. I have to get on with my life! At least there is still the weekend for me to be completely obsessed.

THE TENT 003

Megan's Head

A place where Megan gets off her head.

Tag: The Tent (Page 2 of 5)

Summing up, winding down, speeding off

That terrible feeling

The Tent comes down

Finally; The Tent. Up and Open

Almost properly Up

The Tent; out of the woods but not lying in a chair next to the fire, reading a book, yet.

Categories

Tags

Archives