Rehearsed readings

 What is a rehearsed reading?   **

"A rehearsed reading is as it sounds but they can vary considerably according to the project; some of them are to garner interest from producers or those who may be able to help with development funding and/or staging. These generally involve a bit more rehearsal and I've performed them in places including the Oval House, Blue Elephant and Trafalgar Studios; some have involved enough staging that it was more of a performance than a reading, whilst others have been more static - it depends on the director. Some readings are to focus on the state and/or development of the script; for example I've done readings that are rehearsed for just 2hours and are written by work students as part of their course. Some are done as a promotional tool to raise awareness of a forthcoming production. No matter what the purpose they are always done script in hand and you are never expected to learn the lines."

As a specialist in rehearsed readings I often meet writers keen to see their work “on its feet”.  Having seen the final rehearsal of the “Heir of The Dog” plays, I really can appreciate the reason.  

My initial reading of the three plays highlighted particular individual features:

• The language used
• An unexpected biblical theme 
• A series of apparently random witticisms  

Yet, in performance – with good acting...



The Actors

• StephenCheriton (Demetrius in New Rep Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
• Emilia Petryszyn (Lady Teazle in N1 Theatre Company’s The School for Scandal) 
• Denholm Spurr (John Keats in Pale Fire Theatre Company’s Romantics) 
• Louisa Tee (Anna in Opera Upclose’s Don Giovanni)

... and clever pacing

The Director

Directed by HughAllison.

Assisted by Anna-Jane Niznikowska.

 – there is so very much more packed into less than an hour.  

Definitely not to be missed!


** Heir of The Dog (An evening of three performances on the theme of God) is NOT a 'rehearsed reading' but is a full - and envigorating - performance! I am the MC.

7.30pm on Tues 20^th, Wed 21^st and Thurs 22^nd November 2012.

At The Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8LQ.

(Nearest tube: Brixton).

blog post by Richard Ward