‘Oliver’ Diaries: Act 1, Scene 6 Rehearsals 2 & 3 (14th and 15th March 2018)

During these rehearsals, we went through the whole of act one, scene 6 – a big scene; it has four songs!

As Nancy only comes in towards the end of the scene, I wasn’t actually needed much during the rehearsals so I just chilled with Ellie (Bet) and watched the others.

When it was nearly time for our part, we walked up to the wing and waited for our cue. Realising I couldn’t remember everything as we hadn’t done this scene since my very first rehearsal, I began to confer with Ellie. I’d written on the script that we’d decided to swap my line around so I remembered that, but as we went through ‘It’s A Fine Life,’ it became clear to me that a lot of that had left my memory. Luckily, the pickpockets remembered what we'd done, so they were able to help me out and enable us to move on quite quickly!

After that, the rehearsal of the song went alright but definitely not perfectly; we haven’t fully sorted out the movement in it yet, so that still needs working on. Moreover, due to the arrangement that we’re using at school being much slower than the ones I can find on YouTube, the timing of the song threw me off… It’s good that I’ve noticed that though; I now know exactly what it is I need to do in order to improve. Having realised this in a recent singing rehearsal (I wasn’t needed much in it so there’ll be no post for it), I was prepared to be much more aware of the pace that I was singing at, both with and without the accompaniment of the piano.

Next up was ‘I’d Do Anything,' which we choreographed on the 14th and could immediately rehearse with the piano when the time came. The song is so much fun to perform; it’s quite ‘dancy,’ which is always good and there’s a lot of funny and/or sweet interaction between Nancy and Dodger! While I completely understand why Nancy won’t go out without Dodger, it genuinely frustrates me that she doesn’t! I’m not alone in this, right?

Anyway, two ‘horse and carriages’ later, it was time for ‘Be Back Soon’ – the one that always sticks in your head! I’ll probably end up repeatedly singing it soon, simply because I typed the name… Bet it’s in your head by now as well! Don’t get me wrong, I love the song; something sticking in your head for ages isn’t always a bad thing!

One complete rehearsal of act one, scene 6 was over and it was time for another run through. We started the second run through with only ten minutes to go so, as expected, we only got through ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’ before we had to leave.

I left the rehearsal with about 2 or 3 different songs playing in my head and began my mission to find a different arrangement of ‘It’s A Fine Life.' It's been about a week now, and my mission has been a success; I recorded Mr. Holt playing 'It's A Fine Life,' on the piano earlier, so I now have that to rehearse with at home!

Next up's a special one - I hope you enjoy it!

-Zahra♥

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