BLOG: What happens next in the rehearsal process for Robin Hood?

Amy McCombes’ second blog post gives us a further insight into her role as Assistant Director and Federation of Scottish Theatre Bursary recipient, and the making of Cumbernauld Theatre Company’s production of Robin Hood.

Doing more rehearsals made me more confident about running and planning warm ups with Fiona; we discussed the best structures and lengths of warm ups before each day started. I also suggested music good for dancing and stretching to, which the cast enjoyed. Other things that I found challenging, such as keeping up with the script in rehearsals, and getting to know the cast started to get easier too. You can get a glimpse of my rehearsal room playlist here.

I also got to meet of the people involved in the show at the production meeting I went to. This meeting involved people working with the design, music and lighting for the show, telling the directors, stage managers and the staff at the theatre about their progress so far. The directors and stage managers also gave an update on rehearsals to the technical team. The producer gave updates about audiences and Covid restrictions. 

We then worked with the writer to get some recordings she wanted at the start of the play for when the audience is entering the theatre. To do this the actresses put on funny voices in order to sound like people on a radio station. For example, sometimes they might sound really posh or like someone much older than they are. I found it very entertaining to listen to them report what is going on in the fictional town of Greenwood.

Eventually it was time for technical rehearsals and cast rehearsals to start coming together. I went to a room where the technical team could see the stage from behind the audience. In there, I offered my opinion on the sounds the others were considering to include in certain parts of the show. I also learned that the performer’s mic can be muted and unmuted by someone off-stage according to when the audience should and shouldn’t hear the performers.

The next day, everything was already for the cast to start rehearsing on the set in their costumes. I thought the set and costumes were brilliant and got to see the areas backstage where the props can be found when needed. Then I got to see parts of the first act being rehearsed in costumes which was amazing, and I now can’t wait to see the show properly for the first time this week. 

If you would like to find out more about FST’s bursaries, visit their website here.

To find out more about Robin Hood and the rest of the cast and creative team visit https://lanternhousearts.org/events/robin-hood-christmas-2021/