Last week, Lilian, one of our His Last Report marketing volunteers attended the much anticipated first full cast read through of our new community production His Last Report. Find out more about how Lilian found the experience below….
On Thursday the team behind York Theatre Royal’s new community production of His Last Report, in association with Riding Lights Theatre Company, came together to kick-start the show with their first full cast read through of the script. Cast, crew, and volunteers alike assembled with anticipation to bring life to the characters, namely Seebohm Rowntree and his close associate Gulie Harlock, at the heart of this local story written by Misha Duncan-Barry and Bridget Foreman.
As everyone took to their seats, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as friends reunited and new connections began to form, whilst everyone eagerly waited for the read through to start. As the creative minds behind the production took centre stage, the eclectic crowd of community performers, costume designers, lighting co-ordinators, local volunteers and more, hushed to listen. The co-directors, Juliet Forster and Paul Birch, began by welcoming the team, introducing the play and the key members of the production, whilst highlighting the impact and relevance of the play, on not just a local but national level, in present-day society. The play focuses on this influential social reformer and his revolutionary investigations into the struggles of the working-class, as he sets out the formations for the welfare state.
Sara Perks then presented her inspired stage design model and began talking through her artistic thought process, whilst demonstrating the complex mechanisms and movement of her powerful set-design. This engaging introduction to the set invited the cast and crew into the physical world of His Last Report, and truly initiated the beginning of an exciting process in bringing Misha Duncan-Barry and Bridget Foreman’s acclaimed script to life. With a final few words of gratitude and excitement from these excellent writers, the stage was now set and the anticipated read through began.
As the actor’s embodied the roles of our 1880s characters, the pages began to turn faster, emotions stirred, and heartfelt laughs filled the room as both the comedic and poignant tones of the play radiated from the script. Along with his fellow cast mates, lead actor Antony Jardine delivered a captivating and immersive first performance, capturing the essence of these complex and influential characters. As the plot unravelled, the anticipation continued to build until the last line was spoken and applause erupted as an out-pour of emotive praise and pride.
The script read-through was a huge success and an encouraging, exciting first step forward in bringing the story of His Last Report to life. The event clearly demonstrated the true community effort behind the production as the atmosphere was filled with a great sense of enthusiasm and support. Fundamentally, this sense of community is not only at the heart of the production, but at the heart of Misha Duncan- Barry and Bridget Foreman’s script. The emotion, humour, and inspirational themes shone through boldly as the written pages transformed into a powerful performance, driving the heartbeats of even this intimate audience.
His Last Report is at York Theatre Royal from Tue 22 Jul to Sun 03 Aug.
Find out more information and book your tickets here.
