Today's run through was the best yet. The energy levels were incredible, and the intimate scenes between Alison and Jimmy were just phenomenal - the notes in my book just read 'WOW!!'. That's a very satisfying feeling as a director when everything clicks in to place.
There are still some issues around pacing - we only managed to cover Acts 1 and 2, both of which ran at just under and hour. But considering everyone was 90% off book, and they'd all remembered the majority of the blocking whilst holding focus, I'm not hugely worried. We've more run throughs next week before and after tech day, so I've no doubts it'll pull back through.
Something we're having to consider even more keenly however is the blocking - certain scenes look great from one angle, but then we have to remember and be aware of the audience on the other side. Whilst not being quite so extreme as working in-the-round, having a reversed traverse stage does have its own limitations, which we're working on throughout the process.
However, the emotional engagement of all the actors was amazing today, and made me really proud of the work we've done over the last few months. It made the dramatic moments even more so, and the contrasts particularly with Jimmy's character more poignant. I'm looking forward to next week, and it'll be great to see it all pull together.
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