Bob Frith's VEIL BLOG AUGUST 2007

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31.08

The end of August. Just over 6 months since our first bid was turned down. Today we notified the performers who we’ve shortlisted for audition. We had about 120 applicants, nearly all highly experienced, dedicated and skilled performers. In the end we’ve shortlisted close on 20, but have prudently delayed the audition dates until we hear the result of our grant bid.

Faliha and Gaz sent me an email this morning. They had both read the updated script, and found it was ‘moving and accurate’. They also sent a number of suggestions which we’re very grateful for – just how women will wear their hair after a funeral, for example; or information about the right kind of coffee pot. I really appreciate this – it’s invaluable in getting the details right. They also included a copy of a 1943 handbook issued to US troops about Iraq…fascinating, and probably saying as much about the US as Iraq. I wonder just what their 2007 version of the handbook says?

We’ll feed all of this into the ongoing script meetings Alison and I are having. This will be an opportunity to brainstorm ideas, create a new job list, and answer some of the technical questions that arose at last week’s production meeting. We both agreed that it increasingly difficult to work properly with the shadow of the grant decision hanging over the project. On September 21st we’ll either stop everything immediately – or have a wild rush to complete all the work we’re hanging back on in order to save money!

28.08

The production meeting on Thursday was a revelation. Only when we started going through the agenda – updating ourselves on the progress of Veil – did I realise just how much we’ve already achieved. Erik showed us some very rough film ideas; we were able to show how certain scenes were being blocked, courtesy of the rough costumes and props that Katherina, Laura and Alison have been working on; we were able to look at some masks and costumes courtesy of Zahari as the resident clothes-horse; Richard Owen was generally able to calm any anxieties we had about lighting.

I think everyone went away fired up and excited about the production. Richard Hall was able to confirm that 21 of the target 25 bookings were in place. But ringing in our ears were Helen’s introductory words of caution. Without a touring grant all of this will go to waste.

21.08

Today I’m taking Katherina to meet Faliha for the first time to talk costume. Asking those questions that I never have – what do Iraqi women wear under their abayas? That sort of thing. 

Faliha shows her usual great hospitality. Sweets flavoured with sesame, almonds and cardamon; strong and sweet coffee. We read the coffee grounds in the prescribed way. There will be good news……!

We talk about soothsayers, watersellers clicking their cups to advertise themselves, clay-ovens, choubi and maku music, date-palm trays, the moon….. It’s always so inspiring visiting Faliha, talking with someone who has actually experienced the things we’re imagining. An authentic voice describing circular pillows shaped like swiss rolls, men drinking coffee in the evening, women joking together, the noise and shouting of the marketplace...

 

 

20.08

I get back from holiday and I find that my telephone line, and hence my broadband connection, is down. Actually it's the telegraph poles that are down and it’s just too wet to replace them – apparently. I write this blog from home so it’s taken me another week to move the ftp to a new line.

So I got back from cycling round Holland last Monday. A great holiday, but in my in-tray there are 1400 emails, including one from Helen that starts Note for Bob – this is quite a bleak e-mail to read on your return from hols – my apologies. Oh, and its headed ‘Veil and the Arts Council’! However before I get to read it Helen takes me aside for a briefing. She has completed the application for a touring grant, and submitted it. She thinks that it’s a good and thorough application, and I imagine it is. However perhaps it’s for more money than the Arts Council have in their kitty. Perhaps - so we should recognise that the chances of being successful are not high.

Our lead officer at the Arts Council North West Office has been very helpful, but he isn’t involved in making the grant decision. There are lots of rumours flying around; for example that there’s only £90K to distribute at each meeting of the committee that deal with grants for touring; that the Olympics are responsible for the reduction in available funds; that sometimes it’s possible to find other kinds of support……Whatever the truth, it’s a fact that touring grants come from the Grants For The Arts kitty, and that has been reduced by 35%.

Nevertheless work at the centre – renamed The Boo - is now steaming ahead. Katherina is here working on staging (accompanied by her young brother Zahari) and, with Laura’s help, starting on some costume. I’m finishing the main rostra, catching up on the two weeks work lost because of the Class One fireproofing issue. Later in the week we’re having a meeting of artistic collaborators on Veil – Erik, Katherina, Loz, Alison and myself, setting the scene so the technical rehearsals run efficiently, and moving forward work on the film and music.

 

 

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH BOB FRITH ABOUT VEIL HERE.

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CONTACT BOB FRITH bob@horseandbamboo.org