Mitesh Soni: 2017

Friday 12 May 2017

Combustion - Final Rehearsal Blog - Week 3

ANDY "Our girls are not Halal meat!"

At the nub of Combustion lies the story of a grooming scandal. Echoes of Rotherham permeate the piece, and with upcoming TV dramas like Three Girls (BBC) - Combustion is a timely play which will get people thinking.

When someone who shares the same religion as you, commits an atrocity - what can you do to protect yourself against ignorance? How do you educate those who don't understand? What do you do to end the stigma of being associated with something you don't agree with, & find just as atrocious?

And so we've arrived in our final week of rehearsal (panic face emoji)

Most of this week has found us finally rehearsing in the theatre space at Tara, & working through the piece. Including a stagger through & a run. But additionally we've been able to work on the set, designed by Mila Sanders. And here's an exclusive sneak peek:

Additionally there has been the release of a trailer: https://youtu.be/1TNtRtS_62o

And rehearsal shots: (don't we look a picture) https://www.tara-arts.com/whats-on/combustion/gallery

Oh and cake. There has been lots of lemon drizzle cake this week. Sadly no photos of them, as eating preceded photography. Sorry.

We're about as ready as we can be now. There's an important story to tell here.

Lights, full set and costume braced for the tech. And then we open on Wednesday.

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog, as that wraps up the rehearsal process.

See you on the other side- and hopefully at the show!

Combustion runs at:
Tara Arts from 17th- 27th May
https://www.tara-arts.com/whats-on/combustion
Arcola Theatre from 30th May- 24th June
https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/combustion/
Then a short UK Tour

Mitesh Soni
www.twitter.com/miteshsoni_1

Friday 5 May 2017

Combustion- Rehearsal Blog- Week 2

SHAZ: "I like her a lot. She's perfect...you know."

Love is in the combustible air....or is it??

The start of this week has continued with working through the script, going over what we've already done, and begin to refine and polish the piece.

We've had Asif Khan (the writer) in the room with us, so that's helped with any questions people have had. It's his piece, so it's got to be done justice.

One of the great things about Combustion, is that it can be related to by anyone. The idea of keeping family safe; trying to make a success of yourself; understanding others; falling in love; faith, friendship- are all very universal themes. It makes the play all that more human, whilst highlighting very present & relevant Muslim issues.

But- it hasn't all been script this week. Oh most definitely not. Fight call; boxing; scene changes; show trailer; photography & costume fittings have all been squeezed into this penultimate week of rehearsal.

We had Renny Krupinski (fight director) come in for an afternoon to help plot a fight. It's a tense moment, but the outcome of it leads to a core element of the story. Giving nothing away but it's short, sharp and, well, packs a punch (so to speak)

In addition to the fight, he also helped to choreograph a boxing training session. Both Shaz (Beruce Khan) & Faisal (myself) get to do some boxing. Obviously I was giving Anthony Joshua a run for his money (this is a lie)

We had a day on plotting scene changes. There are a few locations on stage (garage, cafe, hospital, bedroom etc) and Mila Sanders' design has given us something very versatile to play with. Added to this, the director Nona Shepphard's ideas soon sees cast members lyrically transitioning from one scene to the next. Moving furniture in a fluid way. (that's the aim- at the moment it's more staccato than harmonic- but in our defence, we've only had 1 go!)

Filming & photography flashing has been constant this week. A short trailer about the play, and rehearsal photos (showing us in the best light) will soon be released - keep them eyes peeled.

And there have been rather joyous costume fittings. Safe to say we all look da bom. Here's a sneak peek of my rather bling trainers for Faisal.

So coming to the end of week 2 we have a very strong skeleton of a show from start to finish. Structured, workable and looks good. Next week we add them layers and detail.

Friday 28 April 2017

Combustion - Rehearsal blog - Week 1

SAMINA: "They don't discriminate who they're gonna kill when they decide to blow up a bus..."

Combustion, Asif Khan's debut play, began rehearsals on Monday at Tara Arts

Its a sparky* piece set in Bradford, during a time when a racist march takes place. And without giving too much away, the play gives a fresh look on racial prejudice. With added humour.

The week started with the obligatory "meet & greet" aka "who am I working with?" before swiftly being seated* into a first read through.

And its always great to hear the voices of who those characters are going to be. Beforehand, these characters have just been imagined in your head, but now they've been given actual life. Shaz, Faisal, Andy, Ali & Samina are now becoming real.
Oh, and here is an exclusive first shot of the cast on the first day.

Much of the week has been spent steering* through the script and slowly analysing the tone of the piece. Breaking it down; working on units; driving* the intentions of the characters correctly.
It's got to hit right for the audience.

Easy week you may think. But on top of this we've also taken a trip to a Kwik-Fit; had costume discussions (corking ideas); worked out every morning (buff n ting); & been researching various videos to help us. (Bradford Boyz a personal favourite)

So as week 1 breaks* - we go into week 2 with a shift in gear* to see what we can build into an already playfully dramatic piece.

*Most of the play is set in a mechanics garage. (See what I pun'd there)

Combustion runs at:
Tara Arts from 17th- 27th May
https://www.tara-arts.com/whats-on/combustion
Arcola Theatre from 30th May- 24th June
https://www.arcolatheatre.com/event/combustion/
Then a short UK Tour

Until next week
Mitesh Soni
www.twitter.com/miteshsoni_1