Dress Rehearsal Days and the Magic Just Before the Curtain Rises
There is something quietly electric about a dress rehearsal. The seats are empty but the room is full. Full of anticipation, nerves, laughter, last minute tweaks and that sense that something is just about to tip from rehearsal into reality.
Today I spent the afternoon with Hawes Amateur Operatic Society as they put the finishing touches on Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates ahead of opening night. It was one of those sessions where everything you love about amateur theatre is right there in front of you. The commitment the joy the sheer willingness to throw yourself into a role and trust that it will land.
From the moment the cast stepped onto the stage the energy was infectious. Big expressive gestures perfectly pointed fingers exaggerated reactions and wonderfully over the top characters filled the Market Hall. Panto thrives on this kind of boldness and Hawes AOS lean into it beautifully. Every scene felt alive and every performer from the youngest cast members to the most seasoned knew exactly how to own the space.
What always draws me in during rehearsals are the moments in between. A quick glance exchanged before an entrance. A prop being checked one last time. A burst of laughter when something goes slightly wrong and everyone knows it will be right by the evening. These are the moments that never make it into the final performance but they are the glue that holds it all together. Photographing them feels like being allowed a small glimpse behind the curtain before the audience arrives.
Costume plays such a huge role in bringing a production like this to life and today was no exception. Bright colours bold patterns and characters you could recognise instantly even in silence. The transformation that happens when costume makeup and lighting come together is always a joy to watch and even more of a joy to photograph.
By the end of the rehearsal it was clear that this is going to be a proper crowd pleaser. Lively, confident and full of heart. The kind of show that leaves you smiling long after you have left the hall.
Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates opens on Wednesday evening at the Market Hall in Hawes and if today was anything to go by audiences are in for a treat. Huge credit to everyone involved for the hard work that goes into making something like this happen in a small community.
It really does matter and it really does show.
