Last night, our MERRY WIVES company had a very memorable evening. AS time is short for me now (got a call in about an hour) I'll let Chuck Pogue describe the scene:
For thebrave sixty people who defied the forbidding auguries of thunderstorms and came to Equus Run last night, they got towitness...nay, got to be a part of...a rare and weirdly wonderfulnight of magical incandescent theatre.Shortly before curtain, a brief shower came down, making the stagewet and slippery. The possibility of more rain threatened and Artistic Director and Falstaff Tony Haigh had a decision to make --cancel the show or carry on.He chose to carry on in a most unusual way! The audience moved fromthe amphitheatre up to the covered patio that flanks two sides ofthe wine-tasting barn. There on a platform at the apex of this triangular space and utilizing the area in front to expand this makeshift stage, the company begin its performance, making entrancesand exits into the barn, where wine was being served to patrons.All the costumes changes were also done in the barn. Meanwhile blocking and performances were being adjusted on the run...with no one missing a beat. The Equus staff found light to focus on thestage to compensate for the early darkness brought on by the rainclouds.Halfway through the first act, the rain tumbled in such torrents, it drowned out the actors. The show was stopped...but only to move the audience a second time -- into the barn!
The crowd toted their chairs inside around another makeshift stageand the show picked up where it left off...the most amazing mingling of actors, audience, wine-sellers I've ever seen. Actors walked offstage and became part of the audience waiting for their next cue.They changed costumes right there. The audience could see Tony come off as Falstaff, whispering in a corner with his actors about sudden variations required to accommodate the changing conditions. Actors rubbed shoulders with customers coming up to buy wine. They threaded through and around chairs, figuring out to make their next entrance in the most effective way.
The ensemble was on their toes, ad-libbing with facileness, making impromptu inspired adjustments, energized by the danger and excitement of the moment. Everyone of them I talked to as they come off said, "I'm having a blast!"
The audience was having a blast too...in the moment, following the play, with the actors and their daring every step of the way...and,at the end, leaping spontaneously to their feet to give the actors an honest and well-earned standing ovation.
Thanks, Tony and your wonderful ensemble for your courage and dazzling dexterity for a wonderful night in the theatre. And thanksto the audience for their courage to go with the flow and be a partof the excitement and fun!All of them were giving a raincheck to return for another performance, but I don't think they could attend one that could surpass the specialness of this one. What a night of theatre!
-Pogue
That sums it up....one of the most incredible nights of Theatre I've had the pleasure of being a part of!
more later...
