Charlie Morgan Jones: The Producers Diary – Part Two

Charlie’s diary of The Producers international tour continues below…
Wednesday 25^th October – Focus/Plot/Tech Session One 
Today the power is broken!  We were hoping to carry on plotting at 8am, but the whole block that the theatre sits in has gone down.  Everyone’s in good spirits though. We actually still have eight sessions of tech and two dress rehearsals to go, so we’re not hugely pressed for time at the moment!
Thursday 26^th October/Friday 27^th October – Tech/Dress
Tech is tech.  We’re pushing through at a rate of knots.  Shane’s fingers are a blur (he knows the ETC Eos family inside and out), Alex is coaxing some excellent spotting out of our local crew and Andrew is running around backstage like a lunatic making everything continue to work!
The Mac IIIs are working overtime – I’m not sure there’s a single cue they’re off.  Same with the Mac 700s. I know they’re older units, but I’ve always been a huge fan!
We’ve had some ongoing repairs/makes for our “Springtime” practicals which Andrew, Alex and JP have made look beautiful.  We seem to finish every day on a high, which is thrilling. It really is such a good show.
Saturday 28^th October – Dress/First Preview
It’s always a traumatic time for an LD – that moment when the DSM leaves the Production desk and goes backstage! Our wonderful Antonia left me this very lovely message though (see right).
Today is the first time an audience has seen the show. None of us really know what to expect but, thankfully, they loved it – particularly the slapstick comedy!  The notes list is gradually getting smaller, and we’re all hoping for a little explore of Shanghai next week!
Tuesday 31^st October – Move to Shanghai/Third Preview
We moved the show to the biggest stage in Mainland China today. It was a slight shock after our smaller (but by no means pokey) opening venue.
The theatre provided us lunch. I’ve never been to prison thankfully but this felt pretty close…I imagine we’ll eat out from now on.
Given yesterday was the first fit up and relight, tonight is the smoothest I’ve seen the show yet!
With the help of the chaps at White Light, we chose the Elation SIXPar as the workhorse overhead.  Across four bars, it gave me a whole host of options, from a full stage wash using all the units and the cyc (ColorForce 72) or close it down when cloths were flown in to just one or two bars.

Wednesday 1^st November – Press Night
Today we all get to watch the show for real!  There’s a big audience in and a great buzz in the foyer!  This marks the 10^th show I’ve lit for Selladoor, so it’s a special day.  Both the company and I have grown together, and it feels like celebrating with old pals – probably because it is!
Thursday 2^nd November – Day Off
We all have today off, but are staying in Shanghai to watch the show once more this evening.  We also managed to get some touristy sightseeing in – I made the boys pose for selfie after selfie and I think they secretly loved it!
 
Friday 3^rd November – Travel Day
Everyone is on their way home now and I’m signing off myself.  The show is in a great shape and I’m really pleased. I do think that we’re all looking forward to our own beds…
The Producers in China has been a truly unforgettable experience.  From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank Alex, Shane and Andrew enough.  They’ve dealt with a lot and overcome every hurdle with incredible competence and a smile on their face.
I’m actually heading straight to Macau for a couple of days to visit one of my oldest friends who lives out there. I’m not sure that many people go to Macau to relax, but that’s certainly what I’ll be doing!  No gambling: just good food, good wine and good company!
Kit List
46 x ETC Source Four (various lenses)
10 x Sunstrip Active Batten
8 x ETC Source Four Mini
3 x Par Can CP62
14 x Martin Mac III Performance
12 x Martin Mac 700 Wash
9 x ETC Lustr 2
9 x ColorForce 72
2 x Followspot (In House)