On Rehearsing with Coconut Shells

This weekend has been very exciting because we have discovered what it is that we really want to do with the representation of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Animals - beasts! - are hard to do (realistically) and, having seen the mechanics of the war horses in the production at the National, there is just no point in theatre trying to 'disguise' anything. It is so much more dynamic, enthralling, effective to be 'seeing' everything...

So we have conceived something a little futuristic, comic-book in style, alien-like perhaps, which will allow the actor to inhabit something simple but which will allow him to really convince an audience that this beast exists: through movement, mask and the imagination. The mask will be made of leather and this will follow through into trousers and a gauntlet. We think that he will also be a little fleshy.

Rehearsals today were hugely productive in that we 'played' a great deal: learnt some new dances, imagined what might be the elements of the pre-amble when the audience arrives - ideas were aplenty and inspired - and developed the script a little in way of French phrases and some chorus work. We were exhausted by the end and, as always, were left with a few realisations and thoughts by our young actors:

• perseverance pays off
• not to waste time
• that working with different people is very good
• to use your energy wisely
• how to play the coconut shells

Très magnifique!