End of “The Sword In The Stone” with Image Musical Theatre

It has been 5 Months since I started my first acting job with Image Musical Theatre, and I have just completed the final show of “The Sword In The Stone”.

We have travelled all over the country, from Glasgow down to Brighton, and performed in well over 100 schools along the way, performing 138 shows. It has been a wonderful experience, and I have learnt vast amounts from it; the logistics of touring, the concentration you need to perform to a high standard week after week, powering through illness and fatigue, and staying productive during times off.

Taken from Twitter - Stamford Junior
Taken from Twitter – Stamford Junior

I have ensured that I have made the most of touring, ensuring I visited local landmarks, like visiting Keswick in the Lake District, Edinburgh Castle, Manson’s Guitar Shop in Exeter, as well as having pub lunches up and down the country.

One thing I made sure of was that I went to watch as much live theatre (and music) as possible:

  • Matilda
  • Les Liasions Dangereuses
  • The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
  • Kinky Boots
  • Muse
  • Sunset Boulevard
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Pentatonix
  • Nashville Live In Concert
  • Art Garfunkel
  • 1984
  • Unreachable

This is one of the many things that stuck with me from University was the importance of watching live theatre. Not only supporting the industry, but because it is important to be aware of what trends there are at the moment, what advancements there are in technology, and to see how well professional theatre is performed. Even pieces of theatre that you dislike are just as important as the pieces you adore, because it helps expand and clarify your interests and tastes, and also makes you consider what sorts of theatre excites you the most.

When I met Matt Smith after watching him perform in “Unreachable”

I have also watched a huge amount of films (and televsion series’), from “12 Angry Men” to “Deadpool”, in a wide range of styles and genres, all to broaden my understanding on how films are filmed, performed, and produced. What shots do they use? Why do they use a close up in a particular moment? How do we know where everyone is in a scene? How does cutting from one image to another make the audience feel a certain feeling? All sorts of different questions came to mind as I tried to ensure that I watched classic films I had yet to see, whilst trying to understand their place within film history.

Of course, I have also managed to read plenty of plays, in a range of different styles:

  • The Caretaker – Harold Pinter
  • Ghosts – Henrick Ibsen
  • A Public Enemy – Henrick Ibsen
  • When We Dead Wake – Henrick Ibsen
  • Owners – Caryl Churchill
  • Traps – Caryl Churchill
  • Vinegar Tom – Caryl Churchill
  • Last Shining In Buckinghamshire – Caryl Churchill
  • Cloud Nine – Caryl Churchill
  • Six Characters In Search Of An Author – Luigi Pirandello
Taken from Twitter - St John's, Shildon
Taken from Twitter – St John’s, Shildon

I have really tried to make the most of my time on tour, and have tried to take as many opportunites as possible, shows, locations or otherwise. I have had a wonderful time, and I am very thankful for my agents, Toni and Amanda at AFA Management for helping me get the job. It has been wonderful working with Jamie, Katie, and everyone at Image Musical Theatre and I wish everyone the best of luck in the future!

Now, looking forward into the coming months, I am hoping to go to as many auditions as possible and meet directors and casting directors. I have already sent out emails to casting directors, making them aware that I am available for work. Fingers crossed, with some more hard work, my next acting job is around the corner!

Image Musical Theatre - 2016
Image Musical Theatre – 2016

Thank you for reading!

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