Last Minute Theatre
We thought Last Minute Theatre had experienced many challenges over our 25 years –
Two people, in the past, performing with broken limbs. The second half of 2019’s show being performed ‘a cappella’ in the car park with a backdrop of fire engines.
An audience member being taken quite ill at last year’s Panto making it necessary to repeat the singalong (probably ten times) whilst a principal – due on stage – was, with other LMT members, caring for our poorly guest. And ‘Jubilee’ – our 25th Anniversary Show. Well, where do I start?
Jubilee anniversary
They say things come in threes and they surely did on opening night!
One of our performers had to withdraw as her Mum was so poorly and, very sadly, passed away that night.
Our Compère was hospitalised on the Friday morning. It took two visits by two LMT relatives to transcribe his almost indecipherable writing onto a laptop (only half completed). This was then finished in the dressing room with only minutes to go before curtain up!
And finally, our very dear pianist became quite ill during the second half of the show. She was looked after by five medically qualified members of LMT, and then taken to hospital too. Tremendous thanks to all those who managed to pull her through.
Thankfully, both are getting much better now and are home again.
Performance
At one point on Friday evening, a ‘last second’ instruction (sent via a ‘runner’) was for the sister of one of our ‘medical team’ to “get the Wedding Dress on” and enact the part of the bride in ‘Flash Bang Wallop’. A part that ‘big sister’ had never done before!
The dress and veil were still being metaphorically thrown on as the curtain opened. She never did get the bouquet!!! We hope no-one noticed.
As you can imagine, many ‘last minute’ substitutes (across the cast) had to be put into place. Music tracks had to be downloaded as we no longer had a pianist. Some routines needed re-organisation. And the Compère had to be replaced. All in a day’s (or a few hours’) work for LMT.
The ‘reset’ was handled by a core of three. Adam, our Director, took on the part of Compère for the performances – together with the items he was meant to be in (oh, and the curtains!!!). And Nicole and Helen mopped up everything else with great efficiency and very little fuss (whilst still fulfilling their numerous appearances on stage too!) Great effort on everyone’s part.
Our finale ‘We’re All In This Together’ from High School Musical was the epitome of the total support, friendship and commitment we all have for each other at Last Minute Theatre, whatever our ages. To quote from the song –
“Together, We’re there for each other every time”
I am, as a founder member, together with many more at LMT, so very proud of our compassionate and caring ethos.
A massive Thank You again to all who got us through.
We hope we appeared to the audience as the serene swan gliding on untroubled waters though the reality was the webbed feet working furiously below water level to keep the show on the road.
Charity donations
Our chosen charity for ‘Jubilee’ was LOROS and with cast and audience donations, we raised £350. Thank you to all who gave to our own Leicester hospice.
And so we go into Panto season – more next month!
Mary (Orton) on behalf of all at LMT
