The Effect is the production currently in rehearsal by the Moot House Players, directed by Harry Tennison. This diary covers their rehearsal process from the first week of rehearsals to the final night. The Effect follows Connie and Tristan as they are involved in a clinical drugs trail for a new antidepressant drug. The production runs at Moot Hall on the 7th, 8th and 9th of July, and tickets are available from www.moothouseplayers.com. This weeks entry is completed by Dan Powell, who is the Production Manager and the MHP Chairman.

I attended the Sunday rehearsal, which was essentially a run through of Act 1. It was great to see the cast exploring their character’s relationships in more depth & the discussion that came from that. Seeing Connie & Tristan’s chemistry, as characters, grow on stage is a real pleasure to watch. The cast are doing an excellent job in bringing this thought provoking piece to life. Even at the end, where the concentration turned to lines & delivery, you can see the level of quality being practiced in rehearsal. Our director Harry has to take massive credit for that, from Tyrone’s comic timing, Abbie’s excellent delivery, Sarah’s conviction in her character & James’ ability to hold an audience, they complement each other well. The level of discussion & research over the play’s main subjects is second to none.

In my role as production manager, I’ve been focusing on the technical/set up point of view. What we have planned for this is exciting & different to what we’ve provided so far this season. I’m glad Harry asked me to be his PM on this venture, it’s a play that interested me from the outset & one I knew Harry & I would have many ideas on.

In my role as chairman of MHP, I feel the same excitement. As a company, we pride ourselves on testing our cast & giving our audience a season of variety, we have certainly done that this year. Theatre is there to entertain but to also challenge. Challenge perceptions & promote awareness. The play’s key subjects, depression & mental health, are ones that always need awareness, to change people’s perceptions & helping those that need support. Over the next few weeks, the cast will be perfecting these skills in order to produce a piece of local theatre everyone can be proud of.