Assistant director, Nuala Donnelly writes about the final week of rehearsals of the Lyric Drama studio's production of Howard Brenton's Eternal Love.
It was early January when I walked into the Drama Studio's first read through of Howard Brenton's Eternal Love. As an Assistant Director, it was a nervous experience being introduced to a cast, who previously, had several months of training together. However, over the following weeks it became evident, that I was working with a group of talented young adults who were not only welcoming, but also extremely passionate about the theatre and their art.
Throughout the rehearsal process I have been fortunate to have been granted access into the workings of the Drama Studio - which has now established itself as the cornerstone of the Lyric Theatre. The Lyric Drama Studio has paved the way for many young actors into drama school and the professional world of theatre work, therefore it is difficult to imagine the studio never existing or the Lyric operating without an actor training programme.
The programme, spearheaded by director Philip Crawford, has invited a wealth of mentors such as Kieran Lagan, Peter Ballance and Ian McCracken, to pass on their experience and advice to the seventeen actors who make up Eternal Love.
Along with the cast, I feel that I have also been on a complete learning curve. As Assistant Director I have watched an informal read through at the beginning of the year, evolve through actors active analysis of the text, improvisational blocking and the development of well-rounded characters, to the full production audiences will witness in the Naughton Studio.
Working with all of those who make up the Drama Studio has proved to be an invaluable experience for me and it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I wish the cast and crew of Eternal Love all the best for their run. And I have no doubt that many of the young actors will be gracing the stage of the Lyric with their presence in the near future.
Eternal Love runs from the 24th-28th March in the Naughton Studio, Lyric Theatre. Tickets - £10 / £6 concessions
It was early January when I walked into the Drama Studio's first read through of Howard Brenton's Eternal Love. As an Assistant Director, it was a nervous experience being introduced to a cast, who previously, had several months of training together. However, over the following weeks it became evident, that I was working with a group of talented young adults who were not only welcoming, but also extremely passionate about the theatre and their art.
Throughout the rehearsal process I have been fortunate to have been granted access into the workings of the Drama Studio - which has now established itself as the cornerstone of the Lyric Theatre. The Lyric Drama Studio has paved the way for many young actors into drama school and the professional world of theatre work, therefore it is difficult to imagine the studio never existing or the Lyric operating without an actor training programme.
The programme, spearheaded by director Philip Crawford, has invited a wealth of mentors such as Kieran Lagan, Peter Ballance and Ian McCracken, to pass on their experience and advice to the seventeen actors who make up Eternal Love.
Along with the cast, I feel that I have also been on a complete learning curve. As Assistant Director I have watched an informal read through at the beginning of the year, evolve through actors active analysis of the text, improvisational blocking and the development of well-rounded characters, to the full production audiences will witness in the Naughton Studio.
Working with all of those who make up the Drama Studio has proved to be an invaluable experience for me and it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I wish the cast and crew of Eternal Love all the best for their run. And I have no doubt that many of the young actors will be gracing the stage of the Lyric with their presence in the near future.
Eternal Love runs from the 24th-28th March in the Naughton Studio, Lyric Theatre. Tickets - £10 / £6 concessions