Do you prefer to rehearse or perform?

Albert Rehearsals are my thing.

Hari I definitely prefer rehearsals to performance.

Velma I love rehearsals – I crave rehearsals.

Roland Rehearsals, big time.

Jon Well, this is looking unanimous!

Annie I love them both for different reasons. Rehearsals feel like a collaboration between all the creatives. The performances offer collaboration between the performers and crew and the audience, which I enjoy.

Ros Do rehearsals include tech? Because if so, tech. As a DSM, I feel like tech is where you get to really sink your teeth in and show off your skill set.

John Rehearsals every time. I know it is ultimately the point of rehearsing but, honestly, I can take or leave the actual performance part – as long as it is a good rehearsal room, mind. Going in every day when there are some awful people is a drag. At least with performance, you only have to see them for a couple of hours every night.

Peter There have been shows – mercifully few – where I did not get on with another actor and rehearsals were a struggle. It was then usually a relief to get to the stage where one just performed the play.

Velma The shared experience of the rehearsal room is what makes it so powerful. It creates a family, even if it is a dysfunctional one.

Ros The thing I like about rehearsals is the time bonding with the company and exploring and making the work.

Roland Finding who you are going to be friends with and who is going to be your drinking partner is always very important.

‘Shows are fun but they become like work very quickly, whereas rehearsals feel free and alive’

Peter There are exceptions. I was in a show where the rehearsals were horrid. The director was bad-tempered, the leads looked miserable. And then, when the play went in front of an audience, it was a big success. 

Velma Performance will always be the high point, but the creative sustenance from rehearsals is really what keeps me going.

Roland There’s something that is so fun about playing and being able to play. It all feels like it is so creative and warm, at least with the right company. Shows are fun but they become like work very quickly, whereas rehearsals feel free and alive. 

Ros Between the rehearsal period in the room and performances, I think I’d go with rehearsals as I find shows can get a little dull.

Albert Previews are exciting, but I get bored in a run faster than you can say “half-hour call”.

Hari The rehearsal process is the most exciting because it is where everything comes together, you make decisions and can be spontaneous – you are stepping into this unexcavated world. Rehearsal is where you can do the most discovery – although, hopefully, that can continue through performance.

Albert I love the fizz when something suddenly catches fire in the room.

Hari Also, it is great to experiment – do a scene in lots of different ways – before having to make a decision on how you’re going to do something for months. Although, of course, hopefully there is space in performance for this to be free.

Roland Some people get so locked down when it is time for the shows that rehearsals always feel alive.

Abi My instinct is that I prefer rehearsals. You can play, have a sense of discovery and freedom, and there is something lovely about the feeling that the possibility and potential is all ahead of you. That said, when you get to the latter stages of the rehearsal process, there can be a real sense that you need an audience in front of the thing. It is impossible to see the finished product when everyone is too wrapped up in it.

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