“What will you do when you are the last one left?” We are about to find out! Terrifing how easily lines from the play slip into my everyday speech and writing. The rest of the Hainault-residing cast are cooking sausages and beans (actors need their nutrition) so I am taking the chance to share my thoughts on the progress of Broken Glass’ latest theatrical venutre, The Golem. As mentioned in Alex and Vicky’s posts, the show opens tomorrow for a four night run at the RoundHouse, Camden, so everyone is fully immersed in the mental world of the Jewish ghetto.
Indeed, the rhythmic quality of the dialogue and the haunting music mean that they seem to be almost clinging to us as we leave rehearsals. “The Golem [...] clings to our hair and clothing as persistently as the fog and deeper still. He’s not just in our voices.” This line is, ironically, spoken by Louisa, who’s gravelly alto haunts my evenings the most pressingly. Spoken words are not only important in the play as a means of conveying information or setting mood. The concept of the whole piece is the importance of oral tradition – rumour, myth, hearsay. This perhaps fascinates me, a recent English graduate, more than most. But the power of storytelling and the ability of human bodies to inhabit myth has long been a theatrical concern. (See Jerzy Grotowski’s writing. Grotowski has been mentioned several times during the rehearsal process. In fact, the only theatre practicioner to have been named more times as an inspiration is Simon Amstell, who is also appreaing at the Camden Fringe this week).
Perhaps the play will succeed in presenting “a myth come to life”. Perhaps it will succeed in driving the cast insane. Perhaps it will succeed in increasing your love of Simon Amstell. There is only one way to find out…