Am-Dram Conundrum - what would you do...?

[MargaretElsie]

I am a trained actor, but have not acted professionally for a loooong time (I am also quite old!)

An opportunity came up at our local theatre for a amateur production of something and I decided to go for it. Out of an admittedly small cast, I am now the lead part.

Here is the issue. It turns out that the 'director' (who is really an electrician by day) is, to put it mildly, not very good. His ideas won't work (as has been proven so far) but he is also not open to any other input or ideas to the point of responding with sarcasm at any ideas other than his own. The ladies who do props and stage management are also of a similar ilk, albeit with less sarcasm. All three have been 'running shows' at the theatre for many many years so see themselves as old hands.

Half of the cast of 8 is reasonable in terms of talent but the other half is less so. I have no idea what they think of the director (I struggle to call him that tbh!) and don't want to get into conversations about it as it appears to be, on the whole, a friendly group in terms of the actors at least.

The play is due to run the last week of September, and we are currently only getting together every two weeks but this will increase from the middle of next month. The whatsapp group, as a contrast, is very lively!

I am torn with the following:

1. Do I stick it out regardless and risk being in a poor and badly directed production and it becomes something I can't wait to be over with?
2. Do I give it a few more weeks and then reassess, leaving less time to find a replacement?
3. Do I suggest they offer my place to someone else while there is plenty of time to do so?

It's not so much expecting something polished, rather than having someone (director) insisting on things that just don't work or will look awful. There are cheaper and easier ways of doing things he has suggested that are also more effective. Also, as I say, half the cast are quite good - it's the ones backstage that may be more tricky!

Depends why you're doing it? Is it to dip your toe back into the water, make new contacts that might lead to better things in future, get some confidence back? In which case I'd do it.

Is it to sparkle in something good and get the kudos of your friends and family and avoid any chance of embarrassment? In which case probably don't.

A good actor stands out even in a bad production I reckon. You can always wow everyone even if the whole thing is patchy.

A good actor stands out even in a bad production I reckon. You can always wow everyone even if the whole thing is patchy.

God, this is SO true.

I understand your frustration, it is hard to sit on your hands when you can see someone making such stupid choices. But that's how this am-dram company likes to do it, so just be your accomplished self and let the rest slide past you.

100% stick it out.

You know if you are a professional, good acting stands out even in a shit show
and also that good acting can actually go along way to improving a shit show.

Once you've done one production and 'got your feet under the table' you can work from within to get better directors.

It's a feature of these kind of entities that an absolute arse (usually a narcissist who loves the sound of their own voice) gets an iron grip on something - whether that is directing, the lead roles or writing shitty scripts. Eventually they move on or are ousted by revolt.

You owe it to the community.

Vive La France! Deus hoc vult! Liberty or Death! etc

Difficult one. I suppose it depends on whether you want to personally turn in a great performance or if the enjoyment of being in the production with others is enough.

Id say stick at it - and you may get more artistic input in future plays - but the director’s comments about RADA are out of order.