INTRODUCTION
Words don’t describe the feeling of May. I turned a little story I wrote over the past few years into a sold out production. I didn’t think this would happen all so quickly, but here I am telling you about it and I am nothing but grateful. I had a conversation with myself over Christmas about whether this show was possible or not but I knew if I didn't sign the contract, I'd live in regret.
With the added stress of University, I somehow managed to upload all work on time, sell the show out, and run away back with Giffords Circus for 2 weeks. After all of that, it felt great to get an early night sleep for once. Working till 3am in the morning with 9am lectures for 5 weeks running wasn’t the best plan but I couldn’t be prouder of The Ringmaster and the team involved. I would do anything to go back to last month in a heartbeat.
My first year of University is now complete. I’ve studied 8 modules from costume, scenic design, to stage management. Any area backstage in theatre, my course studies it! As someone who is wanting to be a producer in the near future, the knowledge I have learnt throughout the course of the year has been nothing but beneficial. Bath really feels like home for me now. The opportunities that Bath can and has opened for me already have been incredible. Everyone has been open with their help and advice on my career. Everyone seems to make time to guide me, even though they don’t have the time. I feel very lucky to have produced my first production in this city that I call home.
THE BIG DAY
Saturday 27th May. A day I'll never forget. The feeling of friends and family who have travelled to the theatre to experience my story of The Ringmaster.
The thing I find the strangest is…a 3 week intense rehearsal period that just came to an end. You spend all this time writing, preparing and rehearsing for a show and then it’s over. Just like that. When the team were building the world of The Royal Park, it was as if the theatre was being filled with laughter, light and colour - all of which have only happened in my dreams so far! The whole day I was waiting for something to go wrong. Maybe a tree would fall down or someone would forget their lines but no. Nothing happened. All of my worrying was for nothing. Everyone watching seemed to love the show and it received some wonderful reviews.
“Such a beautiful, heartfelt play. The entire thing felt like a hug. Well done!!!”
Read a review from The Ringmaster here.
PRODUCTION IMAGES
Photography - Grace Levell
Thank you for reading this months newsletter and coming along on the journey of The Ringmaster. Here’s to the next!
Harvey Aylmer