How often do we think about – let alone show our appreciation for – what’s happening offstage when we see a show? As Coventry’s Albany Theatre unveils its first in-house production post-pandemic, CEO and artistic director Kevin Shaw does that just.
Shaw also directs the theatre’s new locally-set adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which officially opens to the press tomorrow night (9 December 2021). In his programme note, Shaw welcomes back audiences and pays tribute to the “army” involved in getting the show on. Time to get booking!
A Christmas Carol in Coventry
“I must say it’s brilliant to be back in the theatre after an unprecedented eighteen months and actually creating plays again. It’s been a joy for us all to explore Charles Dickens’ timeless ghost story for Christmas.
“We have assembled a terrific cast for the production, with a highly talented team of actors drawn from across Coventry and the West Midlands. The rehearsals for A Christmas Carol have been great fun and highly productive. It never ceases to amaze me quite how much we manage to achieve in such a relatively short space of time. For the cast, it is a packed rehearsal process. As well as concentrating on the story, there are songs to learn, dances to prepare and (many) characters to create.
“Our technical team have pulled out all of the stops to realise the brilliant design. We took advantage of the enforced closure of the theatre to build and paint the set last March, the lighting and sound designs are created and realised as well as props being sourced and made during the rehearsal period. All of which helps to create a magical and exciting night at the theatre.
“Producing our festive show is a huge team effort from everyone”
“Meanwhile, away from the rehearsal room, our Events and Communications teams are working flat out to ensure that everything is in place to make certain each performance runs smoothly: creating the programme; publicising the show; ordering sweets and ices (we get through a huge amount); and creating the schedule so that we have the right staff in the right place on the right day throughout the run.
“The Albany is powered by its army of volunteers both backstage and front of house, the show couldn’t go on without them. Our box office, marketing, technical, ushering, bar and kiosk volunteers along with our Duty and Front of House Managers have pulled out all the stops to make sure you all have a fantastic time at our theatre.
“Producing our festive show is a huge team effort from everyone at the Albany, and I am delighted with the result. We have had great fun developing, rehearsing and producing our show, and we hope that you enjoy watching it as much as we’ve enjoyed making it.”
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