Shit and Derision, its opening night! 

How the bloody hell did that happen?

And of course, after days and days of unspoiled, cloud-free, hot and happy weather, on the wedding day it decides to piss down with rain. A pathetic fallacy if ever I saw one. Just proves my point that the Gods don’t want me to get married, but to spread my seed as far as possible before tethered to matrimonial bliss.Nevertheless the wedding reception shall proceed as planned. Min you, this weather could prove to be quite a spanner in the works in regards to our outside courtyard sections of the evening. Plastic ponchos perhaps? Did they make them in 1969?

Last nights dress rehearsal consisted of an impromptu audience of relatives and friends who were made to endure a not so flawless performance as cues were dropped and lines skipped. While their presence did add to some nerves on the actors accounts, they also provided us with a great opportunity to bombard them with silly, seedy and salacious improvisations throughout the evening. This aspect of the show they particularly enjoyed, filling us in at a Q & A session once the performance was over. Noting both the good and the not so good aspects of the show, this test audience (however biased they may have been) provided valuable insight into how the show is interpreted by its wedding guests.

If nothing else, we looked spectacular. All frocked up to the nines, we were forced to shout through most of the performance just to be heard over our clothes. Mingling in the courtyard, and sitting around the table in the space, it was really starting to feel like a real reception. Phil Roberts and Chris Pender were certainly getting into the spirit of things, somehow managing to steal some booze off of our unsuspecting audience members!

The appearance of our wedding band, Lionel Driftwood and the Pile-drivers, also added to the festivity of the occasion, sounding great in between the action and maintaining some sort of composure as we the cast murdered all of the songs we had to sing with them. Never in my life have I seen such determined perseverance to finish a song spiraling murderously out of control! They only slipped up once, caught out by an audience member for playing The Holy Grail during a break in the action. Didn’t we tell you though, Lionel and his Pile-drivers are no ordinary band, they’re very ahead of their time! Perhaps from now on they’ll stick to songs which have already been written. Holy Grail did sound good though. Especially when Lawrence chose to insert his own lyrics about the show into the mix earlier in the day. Thats right ladies, he’s witty, musically talented and has a mean afro. Get in quick though, word on the street is he’s already got some interest coming his way.  

While it was not the greatest dress rehearsal, we all came out of it aware as to what had and hadn’t worked. And aware of what needed to be done between the dress and opening night to make it better. The pressure of the pool of piranas attending tonight’s performance is not lost on anyone. With the play’s writer Jack Hibberd, original director Graeme Blundell, various members of the original cast, as well as mountains of media and sponsors to name just a few, it seems as it all of Australian theatre’s royalty will be in attendance.

But, no pressure . . . . 

Personally, I just hope they bring presents. I’d hate for them to arrive at the reception empty handed. How embarrassing. In case they don’t, money orders and cheques will be accepted, and EFTPOS facilities will be made available for those to wire monetary gifts straight into my account. No worries.

I’d love to write more but I really should be getting ready. I am getting married in a few hours. 

Wish me luck.

Until next time my little bloggeroo’s, stay tuned for the next installment of:

“DIMBOOLA: The Matrimonial Makings Of A Monster.”

=Lachlan - crappin’ his dacks - MacLeod=

Directors Assistant/Assistants Director.

Fly On The Wall Theatre.