A bunch of amateurs reflect on their time in A Bunch of Amateurs

23 June 2014

As A Bunch of Amateurs enters its final week at The Watermill, some members of the amateur cast reflect on their experiences…

“I would very much like to thank all involved with this project for taking the risk of using “real” amateurs, and for trusting us all not to let you down. It has been a huge buzz to be involved in (and associated with) something that is so excellent and to have been made to feel so welcome as part of the team by the amazing backstage crew and professional actors. I’m hoping that some of the cast might want to “do a Jefferson” and repay their debt to the muse by auditioning for the Ravensbury Players’ production of Macbeth in the autumn, although they may need further persuasion.” John Barker

“I have absolutely loved being part of the Community Ensemble for A Bunch of Amateurs at The Watermill. I didn’t really know what to expect when I went along for the initial audition workshop; I’ve only been part of the local amateur dramatics scene for the past year and I’m relatively inexperienced when it comes to theatre.”

“It’s been fascinating to watch the dynamics between the production team, the cast, the creative team, and the ensemble, and to see how everything works in the final lead up to opening night and then backstage once the show has begun. One of my favourite parts of doing the show is listening from backstage to the often raucous laughter from the audience! There are some jokes that are guaranteed to get a laugh night after night and I always make sure I position myself somewhere where I can hear the audience’s reaction for these moments. It’s great tonic after a long day and never fails to make me smile!” Melissa Hughes

“Shoe-horned into the tiny space available at The Watermill, it quickly became apparent that the main role of we amateurs would be ‘set’ changing.

The actors showed amazing forbearance, as they were required to re-enact certain scenes four times so that each group could practice the relevant changes. Their patience and friendliness towards all of us through this excruciatingly trying time for them was hugely impressive; so that we felt even more distraught when we made a mistake. By way of example here are just a few:

• A fleeing Diaspora of amateur Extras, intent on getting offstage soonest, scatter in various directions throughout the auditorium rather than by the prescribed route; much to the despair of the co-director who, nevertheless, smiles benignly and offers words of encouragement.
• Wanting to be sharply on cue at opening night: dropping the backcloth early, thereby exposing the audience to a row of bemused actors already lined up for the next scene.
• An unexpected crash reverberating throughout the entire theatre as a head hits a stage-side lamp. Although this happened quite a few times, nobody ever did it more than once. It was a painful lesson!
• Tables positioned way off-mark, making the actors improvise their breakfast scene. A minor problem if the chairs are placed around the table, not left on top of it, intriguing the audience, I’m sure, over the rather unusual seating arrangements.

These and many other minor disasters, too numerous to mention, occurred in the early days, but eventually the uncomplaining actors could begin to rely on us amateurs as with practice and never-ending help from the back-stage staff, each team jelled together and became more competent.

For me the whole experience has been memorable on many levels. I have been enormously impressed by the professionalism and support of everyone, both behind the scenes and on stage, and the immense goodwill shown to us ‘a bunch of amateurs’.

Thank you one and all. How you keep your sanity in such a precarious business is probably something only a good psychiatrist can explain!” Mike Huxtable