"I profess not talking."

Last night was one of my least-favorite stage managing rehearsals. It was the Off Book Day. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it's the day when you have to put down your script and had damn well better have memorized your lines. (Or risk pissing off the stage manager, who can make your life a living hell for the next few months. I'm just saying.) It involves much stopping and swearing and pausing and general frustration. We've reached the point where not much else can be done until people know the words. There are a couple of things that are making it harder this time around, though.

First, it's Shakespeare, so there's a hell of a lot of words.

Second, one of our actor's got a paying gig and had to excuse himself. Good for him, but grr all the same.

Third, he was playing Falstaff. (One of the biggest and most important roles in the play.) Not a role that you can re-cast from any dude who wanders in off the street.

Fortunately, one of our co

mpany actors cut his vacation short and has saved the day. (Thanks, Barry!)

My friend Josie gave me
the last part of my birthday/Christmas present last weekend. It's a shirt with a medieval crest on it and says, "Going Medieval on You." I wore it yesterday (See photo at left.) as warning to my actors of what would happen if they don't learn their lines. I've found threats to be very useful in the past. We'll see how it fares this time.

*The quote "I profess not talking." is from Henry IV, Part 1, naturally.