Theatre and Dance

Monday 24 November

I couldn’t really be bothered to do this rehearsal after the tiring week before! I was glad I did though, because we practised my two favourite songs! ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’. Afterwards, we watched the professional dancers rehearse their opening act and it was really cool!

Tuesday 25 November

It wasn’t normal rehearsals today. Instead, we went to a building on Willen and recorded some of the songs we are going to sing on the stage. It involved a lot of waiting around but the three oldest dancers played some games with us like heads down, thumbs up and Chinese whispers. That was pretty fun and killed some time. In the end, we only recorded two songs!!!

Henry Winkler as Peter Pan

Wednesday 26 November

This was one of the most exciting days rehearsing. Well, first of all, Henry Winkler was directing us and he made the Lost Boys' scene really good! Then, all of a sudden, the fire alarm went off and this recorded voice said “please leave the building, a fire has been reported. Please use the nearest exit and don’t use the lift!” Everyone was really scared, we quickly grabbed our belongings and ran down the stairs! When we got out, the fire brigade came and firemen ran into the building! About 45 minutes later, we were let back in. Still now, I don’t know what it was but I’m guessing it was just smoke but I couldn’t see any flames.

Thursday 27 November

This was a good rehearsal too. We were in the MK church this time and we practised the finale. I loved it so much because it was really fun and we got to sing ‘We Go Together’ (from the musical Grease) The entire group of Lost Boys get to run down the stage and take their bow. Then we all get together and take one big final bow! It really is great! Also, we got to practise our special surprise we have been waiting for! (We have been given strict rules not to tell anyone, it would ruin the panto! Sorry!)

Friday 28 November

This was the best rehearsal ever! We went from the beginning right through to the end. We watched all the scenes with Henry Winkler and Louisa Lytton and even heard all of Andy Ford’s Jokes! They were quite funny! Whenever the Lost Boys were in the scene, we all got up and just acted it out as if we were on the stage. It was exciting and cool because I don’t need to see the panto- I just watched it!

Saturday 29 November

To be honest, this had to be one of the most boring rehearsals ever! We only practised two things: The finale and ‘Crocodile Rock’. To make it worse, the rehearsals were ALL day and the hours seemed to drag on. For the morning we practised the finale and for the afternoon we practised ‘Crocodile Rock’. If one person got it wrong EVERYONE had to start again. I suppose rehearsals aren’t all fun and games and sometimes you have to be pushed until you’re perfect and if it wasn’t for that rehearsal, I would look like an idiot on the stage! Still, let's put it this way, it was boring! Oh, before I go, my dad played my interview on his radio show that was recorded the night Henry Winkler turned on the Christmas lights outside the theatre so please listen to it! Thank you!

Tuesday 2 December

We didn’t have rehearsals on Monday so it was good having a break for one day to recharge my batteries. Today was our first full day of dress rehearsal. I got to look at the technical side of the acting and enjoyed seeing how the props and scenery were arranged. We didn’t do much acting that day but it was still great and really interesting!

Wednesday 3 December

I got the day off school today so I was really happy! I had rehearsals from 9:45am till 6:00pm and was in costume the whole day. I spent the time either in the auditorium or on the stage. We showed the director the Lost Boys' first scene on the stage and he said we were brilliant which was good to hear since we’d been working so hard. I also practised one of my favourite scenes where the pirates capture the Lost Boys.

Thursday 4 December

I only did a bit of acting today but it was one of my favourite days because we all watched the first half of the panto. I got to see the lights and scenery movements which was so cool! It really is a show you can’t miss! The flying scene with Wendy, John and Michael is so amazing! When I went home I was starting to feel the nerves because Friday is my first performance! Wish me luck!!!