Wall of Ideas

Tomorrow I start re rehearsing Salsa, after our intensive rehearsal in July, and the show at the ‘Steddfod, it’s time to relight the fire!

Maggie(Rawlinson) started today with a day long dance session, it feels like deja vu as the actors go through each of the dances. It’s all quite laid back and fun as they remember the routines. Conversations drift from summer holidays to Strictly!

I’ll reblock some scenes for the different venues tomorrow, trying hard not to unravel the knitted vest too much. I have loved this show.

In my office the wall of ideas are stuck on the wall still, reminding me of the structure and the thoughts behind the play in the first place. Can’t quite take them down yet not until November 4th when the tour finishes in Porthcawl.

I’ve wanted to do a dance show since 98, and then started formulating the ideas in 2010, with a lovely group of people- Viv, Phyl, Dan and Geraint and then writing it in one month in January. I loved this time, felt like a proper writer, going to a room facing a wall of ideas, and scenarios, and getting stuck time and time again, until Blake Snyder entered the room, telling me tales of saving the cat, and laying pipe! Then as the deadline loomed, I sent drafts to Eric, Jeremi, Dan and Phyl for feedback, notes and jokes, some good, some really good! Damn them!

I have such fond memories of that month just after Christmas, that it almost seduced me to become a writer full time and then I glance at the wall of ideas, and I walk out of the room, close the door and enter the rehearsal room.