Day 2: Trappers & Miners

Continuing in the vein of keeping a blog of rehearsals, last night saw us invade the Brennan Residence for a few hours to get some action going on between the miners and the trappers with a little early work done on ‘The Trapper Song’ itself. We’re tight on space this week until we move into ‘The Barn’ (Barnstorm Theatre space) this coming Monday so plenty of cups of tea and plates of biscuits were had in Eddie’s (playing Loutzenheiser) kitchen before moving the tables back and setting the scene, running the store scene (sans Crazy Old Ralph), on to the trapper song at the whore camp (we don’t have Indians so we’re opting for whores, or a ‘travelling burlesque’ camp if you’re to put a polite but devious twist on things), and some later confrontations between Packer (Dave Thompson) and Frenchy (Paddy Dunne) upon entering Saguache.

Each of the scenes were run through a few times, the trapper song itself getting the most work in an effort to have the timing bang-on.

Back at the ranch (and by ‘back at the ranch’ I mean over by the kettle) pre and post rehearsal we discussed all our promotional options, seeing how far we can push things without being legally challenged or winding up performing Cannibal! The Musical from the comfort of a prison cell somewhere in the country. We’re not that devious…. honestly.

It was good to get the trappers and miners together, some more great dialogue between them, nobody holding back in terms of their characters or delivery. Plenty of stage notes taken as we move on to the third day of rehearsals tonight which should have us look at all the interactions between Polly and Packer, Packer and Frenchy and the Sheriff characters as well (Lake City and Saguache).

Next week things really kick off when we move into ‘The Barn’ with the entirety of Act One already on the cards but thats for another week!

Cannibal Rehearsals In Full Swing

Its only been four days since Heart Shaped Vinyl closed and already we’re in full swing for rehearsals. We’re going to be keeping tabs on the Cannibal development through the site here, running it as a good ole fashioned blog to keep you folks up to date.

Its myself (Ken) and Kevin directing the show and it was great to see things kick off last night. Sure enough, we had a full cast meeting and initial read-through before Heart Shaped Vinyl took to the stage but last night was the first proper rehearsal for the show and it wasn’t too bad at all. We managed to bag Cleere’s for a rehearsal (we’re hopping between any venue we can for a week or two) and the six of us playing the miners (myself, David Thompson, John Morton, Stephen Colfer, Ross Costigan and Niamh Moroney) enjoyed a read through of ten scenes or so, before taking to the stage and plotting out some early blocking.

Notes were taken, rushed stage diagrams jotted down but the buzz and laughter between the six of us (and Kevin) was great, so natural. I think the energy is carrying over well from Heart Shaped Vinyl, creating a non-stop summer of theatre for us and hopefully it will lead right through Cannibal.

Rehearsals continue this week with the miners and trappers meeting tonight while all other characters meet on Thursday for the last of this week’s rehearsals. Cannibal! The Musical itself will run in The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny, from August 22nd to August 25th. Tickets are available now by phoning the box office on +353 56 7761674

Cannibal! The Musical Teaser Poster

We’re happy to reveal the Cannibal! The Musical teaser poster, expertly put together by Paddy Dunne who will be playing Frenchy in August. The above artwork may not be used in conjunction with any other theatrical production of Cannibal! The Musical and is under copyright of the author.

Cannibal The Musical - Cast Announcement

We’re delighted to announce that the casting process for Cannibal! has pretty much been wrapped up with all primary actors having been alerted to their roles in the show.

Alferd Packer will be played by Dave Thompson (Liam, Heart Shaped Vinyl), Shannon Wilson Bell will be played by John Morton (Gerry, Heart Shaped Vinyl), Israel Swan by Ken McGuire (Des, Heart Shaped Vinyl), George Noon by Niamh Moroney (Kate, Heart Shaped Vinyl), Miller by Ross Costigan (Jimmy, Heart Shaped Vinyl) while Polly Pry will be played by Amy Dunne (Sue, Heart Shaped Vinyl).

The Devious Theatre Company would like to welcome some new actors to the fold as well, all of whom we have worked with at some point in the past through Dreamstuff Theatre or other theatre groups in Kilkenny. These are Stephen Colfer (Humphrey), Paddy Dunne (Frenchy), Dave Minogue (Nutter) and Eddie Brennan (Loutzenheiser).

We feel that we’ve got a fantastic cast and are looking forward to getting stuck into the remainder of the script adjustments and the start of the rehearsal process. At present, the script is being worked on by John Morton (playing Bell) while Ken (McGuire) and Kevin (Mooney) who are directing are currently going through the production motions, starting rehearsal schedules, press releases and all the other fun bits.

Last Round Of Cannibal Auditions Pass

The last round of auditions for Cannibal have passed and we’re going to take a month or so to make some script adjustments and get our cast right. Really excited about the whole process now.

We’ve had two rounds of auditions this week, the last proper audition (third round) on Wednesday night while tonight (good Friday) saw a catchup audition for one or two potential cast members who hadn’t been available for the last two weeks.

Now, we play the waiting game.

Second Round Of Auditions Come And Go

The second round of auditions for Cannibal! The Musical! have passed off, relatively without a hitch. It is great to see a bunch of people get together and have no issues about singing for auditions, even the people you would think least likely wanting to sing.

The callbacks last night were for all principal characters and there were no disappointments, making thing that bit more difficult when it comes down to casting. We’ve got one more sessions, scheduled for next week which should draw to a close the principal cast for the show - leaving eight or so secondary roles to cast, with actors already in mind for these parts.

The singing was a small surprise last night (we chose not to warn people in advance, to reduce preparation and see how it was handled on the spot) and it went off quite well. The venue chosen was the cozy upstairs of iD on Parliament Street in Kilkenny which has a small stage to the rear of the floor. With windows open over the street I’m sure people got a laugh or two hearing a choral rendition of ‘Hang The Bastard’ at 10pm while passing the venue.

Needless to say, we have moved one step closer to casting the show, one final sessions remains while both myself (Ken) and Kev have started early work in the script in preparation of the stage adaptation (scene breaks, early movements etc.) which looks to wrap this week.

There’s your healthy dose of Cannibal! news for today.

Cannibal! Auditions Commence

Last Thursday night saw the start of the audition process for Cannibal! The Musical which debuts in the Watergate Theatre this August 22nd to 25th. We’re heading to our second phase of auditions this week having narrowed the list for the principle roles somewhat and looking forward to completing the casting process by mid-April.

As it stands, Cannibal will be directed in partnership by Messrs McGuire and Mooney (Ken and Kevin), who have been pouring over the script and started the stage adaptation. We’ll be keeping track of the progress all along the way on DeviousTheatre.com. Watch out for a full cast announcement and photographs in the near future.

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