Shortly after West Side Story, writer Arthur Laurents, lyricist Stephen Sondheim and choreographer Jerome Robbins reunited to tell the story of one of America’s most famous entertainers Gypsy Rose Lee in the musical GYPSY!
The production was a huge success, became a movie, and has starred Ethel Merman, Rosalind Russell, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bette Midler, Patti LuPone and Imelda Staunton – and is returning to Broadway in November 2024 starring Audra McDonald.
Theatre mom Rose is frantically driven to make her daughters June and Louise superstars, and the show follows the entertainers as they struggle to get bookings in a declining vaudeville circuit in the 1920s. One daughter makes it. But not in vaudeville, instead in burlesque.
Gypsy Rose Lee became a superstar and a household name presenting her TV talk show in the 1960s, and inspired by her colourful memoir, GYPSY: A MUSICAL FABLE was born.
I’m delighted to have directed the show for Monklands Light Opera (MLO) in Airdrie. And even more delighted that my wife was choreographer.
Over a long six months the members of the club rehearsed tirelessly on the show, crafting an intimate production which extended from the stage and down into the audience.
The club is known for supporting a diverse range of members, some with years of experience, and others new to performing.
It was a particular pleasure to see the cast learn from each other and develop their scenes. A few set themselves particular targets in their own performances – singing and movement – and I was delighted at their achievements.
We made the most of the staging: any of the in-show “performances” of Baby June or Louise were on the stage, with rehearsals and groups scenes on the lower rostra, and more intimate scenes on the floor and often in the audience.
It also meant that every audience member had a slightly different perspective on some scenes, with one audience member thrilled at the staging, having never seen a show staged in this way.
I was also pleased to see every member of the cast developing their character arcs – wherever you looked on stage you saw committed performers presenting their character’s stories.
Our technical teams worked wonders in the hall, and our MD and live band were pitch perfect. I chose to have the band on the stage, which freed up performance space and allowed characters to walk down to the audience. I hope that that the audience appreciated that for the whole show, our singers were unable to see the musical director, instead relying on their knowledge of the score to sing on cue.
The whole cast were excellent but I’d be remiss to neglect mentioning the towering performance of Mairi Coyle as Rose, and Jennifer Greenhill’s remarkable journey from lovable awkward teen to confident superstar.
Quotes from the audience say it all:
“The lead actors were so good”
“A great show full of fun, joy and energy”
“Very impressed by the quality of the production”
“The band was fantastic”
“The direction was ingenious. I loved how the space was used. It made what is usually a huge show feel incredibly intimate”
“Great show. Quite sad in some parts and hilarious in others”
“Show was absolutely fantastic!!”
Amateur theatre is most definitely not amateurish. People from all walks of life rehearse for months to prepare entertainment – and this is in addition to their day job.
The cost of living is high, and sadly the costs of mounting shows are increasing. It is upon the clubs to make sure their productions are value for money.
I think we succeeded.
If you have ever been interested in trying it out, locate your local club and give it a go. Take a friend – there is safety in numbers – but all clubs are welcoming.
And while movies are cool, there is an exciting visceral immediacy in theatre that is a joy to behold.
And even better to be in!
I’m directing another show before the year is out. I’ll chat about the Airdrie Arts Guild Drama Group (AAGDG) production of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE soon.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
🗓️ 4-7th December
📍 Airdrie Town Hall, ML6 0ES
🎟️ https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/aagdg
TGEMM blog 