Been told that this doesn’t happen often at the Citz but it certainly happened on Friday night! There was absolutely no doubt about the opinion of the audience at the end of the final performance of DIVIDED CITY. They rose to their feet and clapped like crazy. Well deserved. Over the previous shows the young people had grown into their parts, they racked up the tension, punched home the drama, and their comic timing was perfect. Lots and lots of laughs. What stars! The band played, by turns stirring and sweet, and the cast belted out the songs. On Friday night they gave it their all. They finished in triumph!
Show Final Song with Graham and Joe from both Acts (Photo Richard Campbell)
Almost a thousand Glasgow school children packed the Citizens Theatre yesterday to see the Divided City show – some even reporting to school on what was a day’s holiday for them!!! How good is that? The cast and the audience were magnificent. Big pressure on the teens facing out to the massed ranks of weans and their former teachers in Primary schools from across the city. The youngsters love it, some of them desperate to see Jammy, all of them keen to see Joe and Graham, and girls from Riddrie like Leanne. What performances! The cast gave their all in a very demanding day, staying in costume during their lunch break. Primary School children sit forward in their seats and hang over the balcony. Roars of approval and lots of joining in during the football songs. Listened to the chat and canvassed comments on the way out. “Amazing!” ‘”Where’s the DVD for sale?” “Phenomenal!” “Can we download the songs?” “Superb!” “Can we come back and see it again” …. Well, can they?
Joe and Graham with Ensemble Cast
One of the best experiences of my life! From a book that is uniquely special to me Martin, Rose Ann, Guy, Elly, Claire, Mairi and Carter, Emily, David, Gill, and a host of others have worked with these extraordinary young people to create a heart stopping show. The cast are a credit to their coaches, their families, and most importantly to themselves. Truly amazing evening. They had the audience from the first 3 seconds and never let them go. With songs ranging from sing-a-long Scottish skipping rhymes to a soaring Hallelujah (catch yourself on, Leonard Cohen!) and an emotion packed tribute to Glasgow, lyrics and music melded to tell this story in a way that was a resounding success.
This it it! Cast and crew have been in the Citizens Theatre since early morning.
Heard Gary Robertson discussing new anti-sectarian measures with Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill on Good Morning Scotland. Here’s hoping. Shows how apt Citz productions are – truly a theatre of the people.
Big decision. NOT going to see Dress Rehearsal. Variety of reasons – one being to keep some surprises for myself in what is going to be a ground breaking, emotional, magical evening.
The Old Firm Match
Celtic scarves
All of this looks tres complicated. A zillion cables and leads and just stuff. Had no idea that the stall seats are removed during this bit. Theatre looks strange. Atmosphere tense but in a exciting productive way. Cast working flat out. They have come so far on this journey and mentored splendidly all the way. Now it’s all paying off. They look and sound tremendous.
View from stage during Tech Rehearsal
View from stalls during Tech Rehearsal. Claire, Mairi and Elly confer. Carter checking stage set.
