The First Few Rehearsals

The last few days we have been rehearsing. We have fleshed out the first three scenes, as well as the final scene in an intense rehearsal on Friday in the Raven. Today has been our first experience in the Banham, which despite some complications actually getting into the space, was really exciting. 

The First Read Through

Monday night was the first chance for the cast (bar Dave) to meet each other outside of the audition process. Cramming into Daisy's kitchen we set about our first read through, keeping it relaxed with regular breaks for a chat and drink. 

looking a little worse for wear..

The read through itself went really well, with everyone excited about the script. A few more drinks later and we were off to Hifi for a night of electro-swing! 

The Cast

We have cast the play!

A huge progression, and one that has left us three both emotionally drained and hugely excited. With a total of 70+ auditions, cutting it down first to thirty callbacks, and then to eight choices was no mean fete. Each of us agreed that we easily could have cast at least three separate plays of a decent quality without much trouble.

The auditions themselves took a simple shape. After introductions, we split the dauntingly large group into two more manageable ones and played a couple of 'drama games'. Call them childish, call them done-to-death, but they broke the ice and gave everyone a chance to warm up. We then handed out scripts and designated temporary characters to each person, before sending them away to practice their scenes.

The range of acting styles was brilliant, and transformed the scenes in ways we never even considered. From the hilarious to the offbeat to the occasionally moving, each group brought us something new which left us note-scrawling frantically from the moment they left and the door shut behind them.

Callbacks took a similar structure, but with a couple of games of improvisation to get things moving before the auditions themselves. With less people to audition and us three even more keen to see what range the actors possessed, each group was given more time to go through and repeat their scenes. Consequently, we took AGES. And to those of you who auditioned who are reading this, we apologise and thank-you for sticking it out!

directors Daisy and Bea exhausted after a long day of callbacks...

And, after a lot of praising, arguing, defending and stressing, we came to our amazing final eight:

NICK BECHAM as Chadwicke Meade ANNA DISKI as Lilly Cahill JO LANGDON as Tanya Gleason DYLAN MARSH as William Carlisle DAVE REESON as Dr Richard Harvey JACK BAXTER as Bennett Francis BEN NORTHFIELD as Nicholas Chatman LILY HALL as Cissy Franks

It's been exhausting but we cannot wait to get started.

Fundraiser planning + Set Inspiration

Having spent a summer planning, the Punk Rock Team are reunited in Leeds! Leaping into action, Director Bea Lawrence and Producer Sammy Gooch checked out the Pack Horse for their fundraiser, throwing around ideas of school quizzes, sweets, prizes, film screenings and popcorn (watch this space!).

Bea at the Pack Horse

a potential bookcase

common room chairs

p.e kit

We then headed to Swiss Cottage for set and prop inspiration. The team are currently discussing the era of the play in relation to the scripts modern references, toying with setting the play around the 1980s. Here are some of our favourite pieces from Swiss Cottage:

Punk Rock are looking to collaborate with a Set Designer: if anyone is interested please contact Sammy Gooch, Bea Lawrence or Daisy Fernadez via facebook.

ABOUT PUNK ROCK

'Punk Rock', a play by Simon Stephens, is referenced as 'The History Boys on crack. Stephens' play explores the underlying tensions and potential violence in a group of affluent, articulate sixth-form students in Stockport. Contemporary and unnerving, with elements of The Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies and The Breakfast Club; Punk Rock addresses internal power battles. It is punctuated with comedy, subtle moments of poignancy and interlaced throughout with 80s and 90s punk rock music. Lily Cahill, a newcomer to Stockport, will change the dynamic of a group and spark the latent violence and antagonism simmering beneath the surface.