We’re thrilled to be able to bring you a series of glimpses into the journey of Zoe Cooper’s Northanger Abbey. Assistant Director Namoo Chae Lee (also OT Resident Assistant Director) has been documenting the various stages it takes to get a production like this onto the OT stage in a trilogy of blogs that we’re delighted to share with you.
Have a read below and stay tuned for further installments…
The Journey to the Rehearsal Room
20 Oct 2023 Script workshop, Orange Tree Theatre
Met Tessa, Zoe and the actors for the first time! Had a reading with the actors and received feedback.
27 Oct 2023 White card Meeting*
White card meeting with all the creative and production teams from the OT, Theatre by the Lake, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Stephen Joseph Theatre. The main design concept was chandeliers and lots of pink! Big discussion about how to travel the set to four different venues including one end-on theatre.
After the meeting, the production manager and the creatives discussed the logistics of the stages, the budget, and individual costumes.
*a White Card Meeting is where the designer and director explain their three dimensional vision of the show
3 Nov 2023 Lighting Meeting
Hannah, the designer, explained the initial design inspiration and Tessa, the director, discussed the style of acting to Matt, the lighting designer. Will the chandelier work as part of the lighting? How much we would like to incorporate the candles in the lighting? Sincere(!) discussion on the piano – do we need this big instrument for a single scene? What about something portable, like…. a lute??
7 Nov 2023 Movement Meeting
Meeting with the movement director Jonnie Riordan. How to make the physical language with trunks and suitcases!
8 Nov 2023 Marketing Meeting
With the director, playwright, and the OT marketing team, Meg and Hannah. Discussed the general approach to the existing and new audiences, the need to address the difference between the production and Jane Austen’s original novel, and the trailer shooting plans.
10 Nov 2023 Final Design Meeting
Hannah presented the final design vision for the show. Northanger is going to look EPIC.
4 Dec 2023 Trailer Shooting in a mansion in Kent
Road trip to deepest darkest Kent to shoot the promotional trailer for the shoot at an incredible house (basically a mansion), armed with period costumes, facial hair, and lots and lots of snacks. The shoot involved lots of dancing and lots of haze! Take a look at the finished trailer here.
11 Dec 2023 The first day of rehearsals, Orange Tree Theatre
Really exciting to have everyone in the room together for the first time (plus zoomed in from Keswick, Bolton and Scarborough) to hear Zoe’s wonderful script spoken aloud by our brilliant cast. Bring on rehearsals!
