The Matilda the Empress film trailer was released early this morning and we’re absolutely delighted with what ch-video.com have accomplished. They worked really closely with Dani (Matilda the Empress), Ollie (King Stephen) and Jak (Geoffrey) in a green room, making sure that they got exactly what they needed, before engaging Ben (composer) who sent over a couple of sound files from the show.

Headphones on and you get a sense of the soundtrack that Benjamin Hudson and Rosalind Steele have been cooking up.

We feel that a really visual media/promotional campaign is important as we're very eager to encourage more 16 - 35 year olds into our shows. We encourage people of all ages and backgrounds, but this is a demographic that love live music, highly charged visuals, ‘epic’ anything and ambitious, challenging subject matter and that’s what we try to do.

Book now at: https://booking.readingbetweenthelines.co.uk/

2nd - 18th November, St James’, Forbury Gardens, Reading Abbey Quarter

Toby, Producer

Today we had a movement session with the movement director, Kate Webster. We started with a warm up which left everyone ready to work on the movement sequences for the play. The parts of movement are so much fun to create and rehearse because the full company is involved and when everything goes right the piece looks amazing and is so engaging to watch. I’m looking forward to the audience watching those moments.

We then continued going through the play scene by scene and adding detail. The professional actors are incredible. Interning for RBL has been such an amazing experience so far. Everyone is so welcoming and willing to help me prepare for drama school auditions.

The second part of the day was promoting the show by going into Reading’s Oracle shopping centre and giving out flyers. It definitely improves your confidence, having to talk to people you’ve never met. It made me laugh when Dani and Paul had a competition to see who give the most out. Dani definitely won, she was like a machine. A great Saturday spent with the lovely cast! 

Today began with a 9:30am fight call for the full company, choreographer Ian put us through our paces with some fancy footwork drills. Since Matilda (and Stephen) were responsible for a civil war we couldn't do this play without an epic battle sequence or two. We've only had a few sessions so far but they're already starting to look pretty damn cool. Rehearsing fights is tiring but good fun and also pretty aweing too when you consider that these battles actually took place and that it would basically be the norm for people to go out and brutally kill each other.

Whilst we were busy running about with swords the wardrobe department began taking people aside for fittings. Getting to see the characters costumes for the first time is always very exciting, if not somewhat vain (I was particularly fond of my bright red skirt and blue over-the-shoulder cloak), and gives you a nice picture of what the show will look like in a few weeks time.

In the afternoon we pressed on with the final act of the play. It's awesome to see how different the characters are by this point and how high the stakes are for all of them. One particularly gory scene sees Ypres (pronounced Eee-pres) killing an Oxford citizen in a way that makes the Mountain from Game of Thrones look like a cuddly bear.

We finished off the day by heading up to our local pub for a few pints. A highly important part of any rehearsal process.

So today we met Ian McCracken, our fight director and attempted to create a few sections for The Battle of Lincoln. We all gathered together in a room and myself and Ed (playing Robert of Gloucester) were suddenly up and learning the steps, the lunges, the retreats, the parries and all the technical fight talk that both of us had not heard in some 8 years! Mike (playing Henry) very kindly began reading a book (I assume about the era) and this gave the que for our audience to take their eyes off us a little. We both warmed into it, and by the end everyone was involved hurling Batons and swiping sharp edged shields at us with the utmost conviction. It was fun. In the afternoon I think I attempted some acting. I cannot honestly tell you if I succeeded in this pursuit. I muster on.

Captains blog

Moon: crescent

Atmosphere: tense

Pub: after

As a local of the Reading town I've seen some things. The 106 Reading team, Tutti Frutti's first foray into the train-station, that time 'Reading Elvis' complimented my shoes (they were great shoes). These things all gave me a buzz and a strong sense of pride that I'm from Reading. But Matilda the Empress is one of those things that gives me an overwhelming buzz and to be a part of it is an incredible privilege; everyday is slightly emotional for me as I'm seeping with pride.

So, rehearsals then... I am playing the lovely Geoffrey. He is utterly horrendous a character, but joyous to play as an actor. Thursday was especially Geoffrey heavy and so I finished the day needing a hug, a strong drink and an episode of Bing with my nephew. The exercises we do in rehearsals are just as horrific with him. As soon as it finishes I instantly try to seek eye-contact with the rest of the cast and apologise with them and check that they are still ok with me. Of course they always are but with this character, I seriously need constant support.

If you don't come and watch this then you will be missing out on watching a live Game of Thrones. So it'll only be your loss.