The fast show — Arbroath theatre company targets world record for new production
An Angus theatre company is aiming to break a world record held by a Dundee group for the last eight years.
- By Richard Watt
- Published in the Courier : 03.02.12
- Published online : 03.02.12 @ 04.10pm
Arbroath's Limelight Company & Friends are attempting the Guinness World Record for fast theatrical production. The record is held by Apex Productions and was set in 2004 at 23.5 hours from selection to staging.
Organisers Chris O'Mara and Mike Carlin are looking for anyone over the age of 16 who wishes to perform or help out. Those taking part will turn up at the Webster Memorial Theatre on March 2 at 6pm when the performers will register, be measured for costumes and gather at the auditorium for 8pm.
At 8pm the adjudicator will present the production team with six envelopes, from which they will pick a musical at random. The clock begins ticking at that point, and the time in production includes auditions, casting, rehearsals, publicity design, rigging, set design and construction, painting, locating props, costuming and ticket sales.
Curtain will be up at 7pm the next night, aiming for a total production time of 23 hours.
''The actual show we don't know anything about,'' Mike said. ''There will be an adjudicator who will receive a list from Guinness World Records, probably a half dozen well-known musical theatre productions.
''They'll then pick a production they think we are suited to doing.
''Current West End numbers we can't do, like Les Miserable. The adjudicator and two independent witnesses could pick something else just as big, though, like Seven Brides For Seven Brothers or Annie, Get Your Gun.
''At this point there's only so much we can do other than pick the heads of teams who will be responsible for overseeing their own areas.''
The pair do not even have the luxury of knowing how many cast members they need to assemble.
''It could be from 20-ish for Seven Brides, up to about 100,'' Chris said.
On the staffing and casting for the event, he added: ''We just want to open it up to anyone who can turn up on the day. To be more organised than that will be an infringement of the rules.
''But we need as much support as possible. I'm going to be directing the full 24 hours, and Mike will be doing stage management so even someone to bring a bacon roll every so often can really help.''
The company has to sell two-thirds of the Webster Theatre's capacity, around 350, and have the ticket holders there during the show. ''It's about the bums on seats,'' the pair added.
Materials such as paint or fabric will be needed and the company will make up flyers for the production as it is pieced together, so there will be no shortage of promotional space for friendly firms.
''It's not about a small-town company trying to make money or do something for gain — we're trying to break a world record here,'' Mike said. ''If we can do it, it's a big thing for Arbroath and Angus.''
Visit thelimelightcompany.co.uk for more information.
Photo by Flickr user AndyRob
Add a comment