This is a wooly idea that is attractive nonetheless as it does offer some freedom. Basically what this amounts to is if we don't necessarily pull things out of the show if they don't fit our concept. Indeed, rather than working with a concept or rigorous structure up front, this process has been more intuitive. We have some very basic material in the form of these songs and dances and instead of getting rid of them we simply agreed that the 'the show' wanted them and it was up to us to work with them, to persevere and find something in them. As they are unpresentable in their natural form this "what the show wants" strategy has thrown demands upon us, demands that have resulted in a number of unusual ways we adjust the songs and dances. By saying it is the show and not us who has decided, we place responsibility for these decisions outside of ourselves and see our role as helping the show realise its full potential.
Of course I am well aware the show is not a living creature with its own freewill yet it is an entity with a distinct character, the nature of which is slowly revealed or, I should also say, constructed. As we go further in the rehearsals it becomes clearer what fits with the show and what does not so in this way we develop a shared understanding of what it is. Still, the idea that the show should make some unexpected demands of us is always attractive so we remain alert to these.
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