You get the straight bits
But there's something missing in the middle"
(Andy Partridge, XTC)
I've been musing recently (in a 'Henry V' stylee ) on the diversity of experience within the Dream 16 project. I was going to write about how we Dreamers are part of 'life's rich tapestry' in a theatrical sense; but as my sewing skills only stretch to replacing buttons on shirts (I do not possess Starveling's skill set), then it was the above lyric which seemed to resonate.
We've all had experience of a jigsaw. It's a standard childhood toy and as we get older, and we progress from the 100 piece to the 5,000 piece jigsaw, the challenge to complete the picture does not diminish. If you have ever worked with another family member on one, there always seems to be a competitive element, where the slotting in of the last piece has some sort of significance. There are those who will deliberately hold the last piece back so that they can triumphantly complete with the final piece.
Then there's the whole approach to the putting together of the jigsaw. Most people go for the straight bits, so they can construct a frame; others start grouping colours together. Each person has their system to solve and of course, the biggest aid to this puzzle is the picture on the box. Without the picture, it makes the jigsaw harder to complete. Likewise, a piece missing can provide a real headache and disappointment in our sense of completion. Some pieces fall into place with ease, others you try and push into place, only realising after a few attempts you may need to reconsider your approach.
So, this got me thinking about the Dream 16 process which is actually a theatrical jigsaw puzzle on a much larger scale. Erica, Kim and Sophie have the enormous task of putting together a rather large and colourful jigsaw. They are facing the perils of the puzzler as noted above.
The straight bits are already there: 84 amateur actors and 14 amateur directors. All our companies are part of the puzzle. New pieces are being added as the project progresses, slotting in pieces of voice and movement workshops, training primary school teachers through the Education team, developing the musical score as the picture emerges.
However, there are many more pieces to place: the professional cast, the lighting and sound team, the stage managers and so on. They are important pieces in the evolving puzzle of getting Dream 16 on tour. Logistically, this must be one of the most challenging jigsaws that the RSC team have had to oversee in terms of bringing together so many pieces in terms of amateurs, school children, education team, professional cast, professional crew and touring it around the UK for six months.
For me, that would be like working on a jigsaw without the picture; for the RSC team, it is the result of months of planning just how to put those pieces into place. You have to admire the sheer brilliance and hard work that has gone on behind the scenes to facilitate this. There are no quick answers, no short cuts.
I am sure there are still missing pieces and parts of the puzzle that still..well puzzle…but as the project develops the jigsaw grows and new pieces become added to the bigger picture. We as amateur groups become part of a bigger community jigsaw as our participation in the project grows. Open Stages began the first stages of this community jigsaw and Dream16 is now developing that ethos. It's no longer a puzzle, it's become an emerging picture of how amateur theatre can combine with the professional world and create something special. Something VERY special.
The last piece of this jigsaw will not be put into place when the show finishes its run in Stratford on the 16th July. Far from it. The jigsaw continues. The Dream 16 project becomes part of a larger jigsaw, another major piece to add to the RSC's history and it's rich tapestry of diverse performances. We 'rude mechanicals' and the many groups that auditioned for Dream 16 (and those that have taken part in the Open Stages projects over the years) are already linked to theatrical history. More importantly,we will all remember the part we played in the process and the day we went to Stratford and kicked dramatic ass.
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