Hester nods along with the others, and I can tell she’s mightily pleased that this is all today involves.
‘But’, Jordy continues, ‘unfortunately, we’re on a time crunch due to the Christmas break. So I’ve decided to launch right into it. I’m assuming everyone knows the play?’
Everyone nods uncertainly. Myself included as I’m not sure where this is going. Before I can delve into Jordy’s head to find out, he says, ‘Great! So here’s the revised schedule we’ll be following instead.’ He produces a pile of handouts from his messenger bag. ‘Chelsea, could you do the honours? I’ll email it to everyone as well.’
Chelsea distributes the schedules, and I grab mine, feeling a little thrown. I’m an experienced actor, but I still like to know exactly what’s going on, and Jordy didn’t mention this the last time I spoke to him.
‘So as you’ll see on your revised schedule, today has been allocated to running through a few of the play’s more pivotal scenes,’ says Jordy. ‘Tomorrow, we’ll go over to Shakespeare’s Globe to begin blockingwork for the rest of the week. Then after your two days off for Christmas and Boxing Day, we should be well prepared for working rehearsals on the twenty-seventh.’
He smiles broadly, looking pleased with himself.
But when I stare at the paper in my hand, I discover the first of the pivotal scenes he’s mentioned is act 1, scene 4 and ‘Will and Hester’ written alongside it.
Oh shit! We’re going to be acting right now!
I glance at Hester to see she’s no longer looking relaxed. A muscle ticks in her jaw, and her fist clutches her tote so tightly her knuckles are white.
‘So everyone who’s not acting, please grab a chair and create an “audience” in front of the taped-off stage,’ Jordy instructs, looking around at us. ‘We’ll do the first pivotal scene run-through, and then you can have a chance to give feedback on the performance. Any constructive critique is welcome at this early stage. Will and Hester, you’re up.’
I push off from the wall and rub my jaw distractedly as everyone starts unfolding the chairs that have been stacked in the far corner. Fuck, I was hoping to practise at least one scene with her in private before we acted together in front of other people. He’s throwing us in the deep end!
‘Um, c-can we use our scripts?’ I overhear Hester ask Jordy underneath the commotion. From her stutter, I can tell she’s freaking out. If he says no, it’s going to becatastrophic for her. But he says, ‘Yes, since it’s the first day. But make sure you have your lines memorised by working rehearsals.’
‘Of course. Thanks, Jordy.’ Hester sounds relieved. She walks slowly to the side of the room to deposit her tote. I want to go over and reassure her that she’ll be OK. That she’ll have a script at least. But she’s concentrating, and I don’t want to disturb her character preparation. Besides, I have my own performance to worry about.
All too soon, I’m standing in front of the expectant audience, who are no doubt glad it’s not them up here. One of the guys gives me a thumbs up and mouths, ‘No pressure!’
Hester is leafing through her script next to me with a shaking hand. Though I don’t actually need it, I’m holding an open script too to make her feel better. But from the way her shoulders are hunched and her fingers are jerking down the page to find the scene, I can tell it’s not helping. Fuck. This is going to be painful.
‘Any time you’re ready!’ calls Jordy, standing at the back with his arms folded.
I nod and walk off a little way, rolling my shoulders and getting into character. When I feel like I’ve embodied Orsino, the rich and powerful Duke of Illyria, I turn and state boldly:
Cesario, come—
For so you shall be, while you are a man.
But when in other habits you are seen,
Orsino’s mistress, and his fancy’s queen.
The audience chuckles at Shakespeare’s dramatic irony as the line hints at what’s to come. When ‘Cesario’ is revealed as Viola, she will indeed become Orsino’s ‘mistress’ and ‘fancy’s queen’.
I wait for Hester to say her line. But her eyes swing to the audience fearfully, and I clear my throat softly, to bring her attention back to me. But that seems to throw her even more. She opens her mouth, closes it again, and studies the script. The silence from the audience is deafening.
Fuck, I’m going to have to show my hand. She’s going to find out what I am soon enough anyway.
I step forward. ‘Can I just stop you before you begin, Hester?’
Her eyes snap to mine. ‘Er, yes?’
I smile at her reassuringly and turn to Jordy. ‘Do you mind if I have a minute with my co-actor? I have a few creative ideas about how to perform this scene.’
Jordy’s eyes roll heavenwards. ‘We’re not expecting an Olivier Award performance, Will. But go on then, if you must.’
I grab Hester’s arm and tug her over to the window.
‘What are you doing?’ she hisses.
