The Silent Appeal #3
Actors, we will be off-book from April 7.
Please try to look at your script as often as you can between rehearsals and start committing those lines to memory.
Poor grasp of your words will kill your characterization, and thus your performance, stone dead.
If one actor has a drop in confidence and energy, it will affect every other actor onstage, the audience’s suspended disbelief will come crashing to the floor, and the NADA judge will consign us to the losers’ table.
We don’t want that to happen, so the solution is to learn, learn, learn those lines!
On that note, I hope everyone is having fun and making happy memories of The Hollow. See you at tonight’s rehearsal.
Kevin MacDonald, Committee cochair and director
Message exchange between Sarah-Jane and Kevin MacDonald on February 17, 2025:
4:18 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Your son has just glided through the kitchen barely stopping to inform me he is not babysitting tonight and that you’ve already sanctioned this.
4:18 p.m. Kevin wrote:
There’s an American tech entrepreneur speaking at the school.
4:18 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
So?
4:20 p.m. Kevin wrote:
He’ll probably end up working in tech, he might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
4:21 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
You need me to watch the performance. See things you miss.
4:22 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Not now I have Nicky-Rose.
4:22 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
So you WANT me to stay away from rehearsals.
4:26 p.m. Kevin wrote:
I’d much rather have you telling me what to do than anyone else, but your sister has some pretty inventive ideas and is very good at explaining what she wants to see.
4:26 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
So, I have to stay home with Sammy two weeks in a row? Well that’s just brILLIANT.
4:27 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Breathe. You’re a ship in a bottle.
4:28 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
I’m practically a trad wife and it’s not funny.
4:29 p.m. Kevin wrote:
Relax. Repeat: This is not my circus.
4:30 p.m. Sarah-Jane wrote:
Oh, go to hell!
Message exchange between Nick and Joyce Walford on February 17, 2025:
9:24 p.m. Nick wrote:
Barry all right?
9:27 p.m. Joyce wrote:
Why? What’s he said to you?
9:28 p.m. Nick wrote:
Nothing, but heard Lucas tell him to cover if his missus asks where he is tonight.
9:30 p.m. Joyce wrote:
All I hear is Lucas this, Lucas that.
9:30 p.m. Nick wrote:
He’s a good boy.
9:32 p.m. Joyce wrote:
Lucas? He’s a bloody player like your dad. I can see it in his eyes.
9:35 p.m. Nick wrote:
I mean Barry. Gonna ask around about Lunar. We’ll have to get him out of that job if it’s dodgy.
9:41 p.m. Joyce wrote:
Good luck with that. Him and Myra are looking at flats.
9:44 p.m. Nick wrote:
He’s not the brightest bulb in the box and it’s blokes like him get put away while shits like Lucas keep their hands clean. If it’s dodgy, we get him out.
9:46 p.m. Joyce wrote:
He says it’s only for a few months while they scrape a rental deposit together. And I want them out, they’re doing my head in.
To: Dustin Perez
From: Carol Dearing
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Last night
Dear Dustin,
Well, I’ve seen some bust-ups at Fairways over the years, but never a tantrum like at Mendhams last night.
They’re such divas! Well done for stepping in and calming everyone down.
That’ll be your experience in the police.
At Fairways a row like that would be gossip for weeks, but the Mendhams had forgotten it by tea break.
Apparently, Maria was once married to Bill, but left him for someone called Tony, who’s no longer in the group.
Now Bill’s married to Jane, and although this all happened years ago and was all her doing, Maria behaves as if it was Jane who stole Bill from her.
Overheard all this backstage—don’t know anyone well enough yet to be in on the gossip.
You’ve had parts with all the local drama groups, but I’ve been at Fairways so long I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be new and trying to fit in with people who all know each other.
They do everything differently and I suppose I’m just not “in with the IN crowd.” That must’ve been how newbies felt at Fairways over the years and now I wish I’d been friendlier. What’s your secret?
On another note, I’m most impressed with the costume lady making everything herself. I’m a woman of a certain age, my bodice had better be forgiving! Carol
To: Carol Dearing
From: Dustin Perez
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Re: Last night
Dear Carol,
That was a hissy fit, wasn’t it! As you say, a storm in a teacup that blew over as quickly as it started. I can only guess they’re used to Maria kicking off at the slightest thing; by the end of this play we’ll probably be used to it ourselves…
How do I fit in? I’m here for the drama—not the “drama”—and don’t even try! Thanks again for giving me a lift there and back every week. Much appreciated. Dustin
Message exchange between Kev MacDonald and Nicky-Rose Dearing on February 18, 2025:
7:03 a.m. Kevin wrote:
The second I saw you something clicked. An instant connection.
8:56 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Kindred spirits. Twin stars. Did she notice you were late in?
8:57 a.m. Kevin wrote:
No chance. She’s in her own world.
9:10 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Sure? Don’t want to cause drama. Same next Sunday?
9:11 a.m. Kevin wrote:
Sooner if you like.
9:12 a.m. Nicky-Rose wrote:
Busy. Next Sunday. Easiest day to get away.
9:13 a.m. Kevin wrote:
To: Kevin MacDonald
From: Denise Malcolm
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Moletrap!
Dear Kevin,
You’d better sit down… I’ve found a genuine Edwardian moletrap! Spotted it in an antiques store—more a junk shop—and when I saw its spikes sticking out from under a lawnmower, my heart leapt.
No one will know how authentic it is, so perhaps you can tip the wink to our NADA judge so they’re aware?
The man in the shop told me how the trap works, they’re horribly savage.
The poor little mole is burrowing up for a breath of fresh air, and when he triggers the mechanism, a ring of spikes springs downward and impales him.
I’m doubly glad to have found this one so no one else can use it for its intended purpose.
I’ll give it a sand and polish because in 1951 it wouldn’t be so rusty and it can sit on the mantelpiece. Denise
To: Denise Malcolm
From: Kevin MacDonald
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Re: Moletrap!
Dear Denise,
Good news for moles and the Fairway Players! If I see anything resembling an opportunity to inform the NADA judge of our props kudos, I will seize it faster than the deadly mechanism ever sprung its nasty surprise on any Edwardian mole. Kevin
To: Stuart Kinsella
From: Nicky-Rose Dearing
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Re: Hi
Bored. Sorting out my brother-in-law’s accounts. He doesn’t know how bad it got at Twin Star or he wouldn’t let me anywhere near them. To look at him you’d never guess how much money he makes. Funny how success makes a man more attractive. My sister doesn’t appreciate him, or anything else she has.
So, I’m seeing the hot married for a torrid fling. It’s another massive mistake, but why stop when you’re on a roll? Nix x
To: Rev. Joshua Harries
From: Fran Elroy-Jones
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Thank you
Dear Josh,
Thanks for our chat yesterday. There was no point in me going home between work and rehearsal, so it was good to sit in the warm and chill for a bit. Thanks for making me supper. Who knew there was a cozy little kitchen in the vestry?
Even though I was complaining about Fairways, I hope you don’t think I’m not enjoying the play.
Lady Angkatell is a great part and of course I love acting.
It’s just between juggling Amelia, Lucas, and Georgia, while avoiding Issy, I’m on edge whenever I’m not onstage.
It’s only while in character that I truly escape.
Sarah-Jane’s sister is the new assistant director.
We were chatting before rehearsal began.
She used to supply entertainment packages for cruise ships, but before that she worked for Cirque du Soleil and then for an agent in Hollywood.
She has some amazing ideas about how the play should be staged.
Sometimes it takes a new person to come in and shake things up.
Otherwise, nothing changes and change is what life is all about.
Kevin doesn’t seem to mind her taking over, which is refreshing in amateur drama. People can be very territorial. I suppose she is his sister-in-law and they seem very close.
What a revelation that you’re musical! I play the saxophone but not anywhere near as often as I’d like. If you do get a band together for church, perhaps I could bring it along?
Thanks again and I look forward to chatting again next week.
God bless, Fran
To: Fran Elroy-Jones
From: Rev. Joshua Harries
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Re: Thank you
Dear Fran,
It’s always lovely to speak with you, but as much as I enjoy our chats, as parish priest I need to focus on what’s best for the wider church community. I’m afraid that as tempting as it may be, our connection can go no further than the roses, which I’m sure are already fading.
I’m sorry if this upsets you. Please blame me for letting things go as far as they did. Very best of luck with the play. I look forward to seeing you onstage later in the year.
All the best, Josh
To: Fran Elroy-Jones
From: Karen Payne
Date: February 18, 2025
Subject: Are you ok?
Hi Fran,
Are you ok? I saw you running to your car, then driving out of the car park through the wrong gate. Hope no one’s ill or anything. Karen
Message exchange between Amelia Stibson and Fran Elroy-Jones on February 18, 2025:
4:37 p.m. Amelia wrote:
How YOU doin’? Georgia’s watching old episodes of Friends. Can’t believe this was so huge last century.
4:40 p.m. Amelia wrote:
She’s supposed to be looking for work but says there’s nothing out there. I told her the kid next door was laid off on Friday—tomorrow he starts at Nando’s. She just shrugged.
4:41 p.m. Amelia wrote: