English Touring Theatre, 25 Short Street, London, SE1 8LJ. +44(0)20 7450 1990
Registered in England No 2746850 Registered Charity No 1016895 VAT No 595 9805 71
ETT gratefully acknowledges the support of Arts Council England
| DIRECTOR | Sir Peter Hall | |
| DESIGNER | Christopher Woods | |
| LIGHTING DESIGNER | Lucy Carter | |
| SOUND DESIGNER | Gregory Clarke | |
| ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR | Robert Carson | |
| CASTING DIRECTORS |
Gemma Hancock (CDG) |
| SOPHIE | Nelly Harker | |
| GUSMAN | Jason Thorpe | |
| ANGELE | Sara Stewart | |
| RIBADIER | Charles Edwards | |
| THOMMEREUX | Tony Gardner | |
| SAVINET | Teddy Kempner |
A classic by the master of the French farce. Angele – is the wealthy widow of a philanderer and she’s learned that no man can be trusted. Married for the second time, she vows to keep her new husband on a tight leash. But just as she has him where she wants him, things are complicated by the arrival of her husband’s close friend who is determined to pursue her for himself…
Clever, uproariously funny and in the true spirit of classic French farce, Where There’s A Will takes a crafty peek at the game of infidelity and marriage.
This production marks the second collaboration between Director Peter Hall and ETT following their triumphant Uncle Vanya this year. Peter Hall is one of Britain’s most distinguished directors of plays, films and operas. He founded the Royal Shakespeare Company and was subsequently Director of the Royal National Theatre. His many arts awards and nominations include two Tony Awards and an Olivier Award for Lifetime Achievement.
I'm being taught how to "self tap" by Sara Stewart. I'll let you know the results.
Jason Thorpe
The first scene. Nelly and I are on stage. I perform a rather dashing swooping embrace on Nelly and say the first line. However, Nelly's wig decided to upstage the beautifully crafted scene by slipping a good 2 inches back on Nelly. I nearly wet myself--she looked like a cross between Gary Oldman in Dracula and Glen Close in any film she's been in.
Oh dear. Very funny.
Jason Thorpe
I'm beginning to worry about the quantities of alcohol Mr. Gardner is consuming. He keeps talking about "beeps" following him from venue to venue--Really!? No one else can hear it, and they stick to the obligatory 1/2 a bottle of vodka post show--like proper actors, and not the "whole bottle before the half just to help with my nerves if you please" like Dr. Gardner.
A concerned Jason Thorpe
First night went very well -- a lovely response made all the more enjoyable because the house was reasonably full.
Jason Thorpe
I am absolutely convinced I can hear a beeping noise behind me on stage at some point in Act I every night. Everyone else--who cannot hear a thing--tells me I am imagining it.
It is either:__
a) Something beeping behind me on stage at the same point in Act I every night
b) Some sort of auditory manifestation of a stress-related illness.
c) Tinnitus, and I'll have to learn to live with it.
d) Susie Jenkins, the ASM, making a beeping noise backstage to make me think it is one of the above.
Tony Gardner
(BEEP)
Well here we are in Guildford. As soon as I got off train it started to rain. I hope that's not some sort of omen. Speaking of which - Guildford Cathedral is where they shot some of the film "The Omen" - it looks very scary, very ominous. Maybe Tony's auntie lives there - or holidays there at least.
Jason Thorpe
Oh Jason Thorpe...King of the Blog...Where have you gone? (Nelly Harker - Sophie)
Well here we are in lovely Kingston and just like the rest of the country we've been bombarded with snow! As most of the cast and our director are trapped in their respective neighbourhoods, technical rehearsals today are cancelled - yippee! Actually this would normally concern me but we're all feeling pretty confident and it's so beautiful outside it would be churlish not to go out and build a few snowmen, throw a few snowballs and maybe cap it all off with some cosy pints in the local pub. Tough job this, sometimes. (Susie - ASM)
The beard is off, the moustache and sideys remain. People on trains stare at me. (Tony Gardner - Thommereux)
One of the other actors introduced himself to me at coffee break today. He said his name was Jason Thorpe, and that we are in a few scenes together in the play. I can't say I recognise him - - I think he may play Sophie, the maid. (Tony Gardner - Thommereux)
The problem is that I'm featuring more in the blog than I am in the play! I hope the audience are not disappointed. (Jason Thorpe - Blog leading man)
By the by - I'm feeding my neighbour's cat at the moment, and last night I went round to do the honours and in the process of forking out cat food into the tray I sliced my finger on the rim of the tin. That's why I smell very strongly of TCP. TCP - what a great thing! Not to be confused with TLC - which is also great. (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
1st run! In front of people! V. funny. Great to see lots of little details that I hadn't noticed before beginning to take seed. 2 weeks left before we open - it's in great shape. Personally I can't wait to get on set as a couple of my bits need a certain lighting state for the scene to work - however I still managed to get a couple of laughs - though it may have been due to my large facial expressions! I can do subtlety - honest! (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
I'm finding it difficult. The first scene is so short that we must hit the ground running. There's no time to place and sit the characters as no sooner are we on than we are off again. As a result I'm finding the line "One last little kiss Sophie" extremely difficult to pitch. It'll come I suppose. (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
Tried to book a hotel in Liverpool. How much!? A curse on the Grand National! (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
Charlie arrived for rehearsals wearing a Ramones t-shirt; I too have the same shirt (in red). Memo to self, not to wear said t-shirt on the same day - maybe we could come up with a rota? Also, he wears his better than me. Is this blog material? (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
Must remember not to let door slam when leaving the rehearsal room - especially when other actors are running scenes - 'tis frowned upon, that sort of thing. (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
Illness is everywhere. Jason and Charlie's voices seem to have dropped two octaves. Poor Nelly - I have to kiss her in the first scene, was tricky as I had to negotiate between serving the scene and trying not to cough in her face. Nice! (Jason Thorpe - Gusman)
Charles Edwards has exactly the right ratio of smugness to panic attacks ....
Sara Stewart memorably combines elegance and malevolence...
Tony Gardner offers great comic value as the perpetually frustrated best friend who never gets his oats.
...hilariously played by Teddy Kempner.
The Daily Telegraph...brilliantly staged by Peter Hall with a fine cast and a lush period setting fit for the West End.
The British Theatre GuideWhere There's a Will
Georges Feydeau
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