The Opening Number.

We're back after our summer break and it's Ali's turn to run the rehearsal.  A few chairs are arranged around the edge of the central space to delineate our stage. While Martin tinkles at the notes, members cower near the urn until they are sent elsewhere. The parts people had been assigned previously may not be the same anymore, Ali warns us, some people may have dropped out!

The opening number needs to be staged tonight - Ali spent three days choreographing it, we have 90 minutes to learn it.  Even if it is only 4 minutes on the night.  Some volunteering for characters in opening number, but largely people are expected to remember what they were told before the summer break.  Hands up for a variety of roles, and much laughter at the hookers.  There is one problem, Ali says, which is that she has choreographed it to the band version, whereas tonight Martin is playing the piano version. It *will* go when we have the band version. (She sounds very certain.)

People are coming on from three different directions, which makes it difficult to learn.  Hookers on upstage right, gamblers through the crowds. Hot box girls from stage left, policeman stage left, Texan Americans - in other words, a typical New York mix.  Some movements are dance steps, some just movements. Ali knows generally which actor can cope with which. Trevor is a tour guide, leading on his charges, who semi-shuffle, semi-dance on. There is lots going on at the same time, so they will largely need to ignore what other characters are doing. This applies to everyone on stage in this scene. Lots of talking to the dancing girls about what they're doing, while everyone else has to talk quietly amongst themselves, retaining an open ear for the moment when Ali calls their character type. Or alternatively, if they've already been given their dance, they're practising the dance steps across the middle of the stage area. Meanwhile, Martin continues to practise the piano part in the background and some of the major characters disappear off to rehearse their lines since they know they're not needed yet.  Then there are moments when Ali briefs Martin about the phrases and notes that she needs to be emphasised for the benefit of the cast coming on at that point.

Run through briefly of tourists, bobby soxers and gamblers. Trial run...  Mr Policeman, where are you? A sheepish Mr PC comes forward, having missed his cue and is re-briefed. Second time around, better except the gamblers didn't notice the policeman even though this time he was there. It could be a long evening!

A lot of talking later, and we go from the beginning again. Instructions of 'don't crash' and 'now you' can be heard. After that run, Ali checks to find out why there was, briefly, an empty stage. It transpires that the bobby soxers are supposed to come on twice.  The Texan wife needs to drape herself more for the photographer, Hot Box girls should stand and gossip, and where are the actresses? They'll be wearing as high heels as they can manage, so teeter on and then pose, Hollywood starlet style. They're going to be mobbed by the bobby soxers - where's a photographer when you need one?!   He does get their picture eventually...

Another run through just after some people have assumed there's no break so acquired some coffee.  Unfortunately this attempt kind of collapsed, so we start again after a couple of reminders. 

Bobby soxers need to come on on time - everyone else takes their cue from them, so crucial timing!  The hooker/actress label is briefly confused, to great laughter.  There still seems to be a gap somewhere - Ali may need to put another baby buggy in. Talking of which, does anyone have a Silver Cross pram?

And again, from the beginning. Ali says she is not being too critical of the steps tonight, but will expect them to be perfect when the time comes, like next week. One odd musical cue repeated several times for the benefit of the tourists, but then the rehearsal seems to disintegrate somewhat as more folks stop to get coffee and chat so Ali takes the opportunity to consult with Martin, who will doubtless be pleased when the new repetiteur starts.

Another talk, another run through - and now we have an invisible teddy bear being kissed and a cry of 'More Texans!' Each time we run through, it gets tighter.  There's counting involved now and groups are briefed by Ali as to how long they should wait after an earlier entry, making it all make more sense.  There is now greater clarity within each group despite the repetition that people are having to remember.  Between scenes Ian can be seen skipping across the stage, perfectly coordinated.  What a shame his character won't need to dance like that!

And meanwhile, in the background, Gillian the costumier has been quietly chatting to everyone, getting their measurements and thinking about the costume requirements...

Finally, as the old man is escorted off the stage by the hookers, we have got to the end. Now, from the beginning.  For the first time. A few words of encouragement from Ali along with some notes (i.e. corrections) and maybe we can finish. Everyone is instructed to go home and write down what they are supposed to be doing, because otherwise we know what will happen next week, and it won't be pretty!  And for anyone who missed this week, for whatever reason, good luck.