Director's Commentary  I thoroughly enjoyed working on this production and couldn't have been happier with the end result. In many ways, it was a simple play to block.... for most people all they had to do was get on stage, sit down, say their lines and get off!!  The set was pretty simple too, as was the lighting plot. What brought the whole thing to life was the wonderful variety of witnesses, and the way each of the actors portrayed them. I loved the way some performances were perfectly formed from day one, and others grew and developed into the perfect form presented to the audiences. This, along with strong performances from the courtroom characters, made it visually more interesting as well as entertaining. So much talent around in this group now!!
Most memorable bits? How do I choose? Getting chills the first time I saw the final scene with Magdalen, the Prosecutor and the gardener once they'd all put scripts down.... seeing everyone in costume for the first time....the laughs we had at rehearsals.... the spontaneous round of applause from the cast for a new member at his first rehearsal (he knows who he is!) Each and every one of the cast deserves special mention, but I would like to leave room for other comments, so I won't do that!Ailsa

Was I In That One?  Return of the Chameleons part... whatever. Claire rejoined us after an absence of four years and Carole after seventeen. That's right - seventeen years.  She'd last been seen behind the lighting board during Lord Arthur Savile's Crime. We also had some new blood in the shape of Mike, Stan and Paula who, despite being onstage all the time only had one line to say - "Place your right hand on the book and read from the card".

Quote, Unquote  This was just about the hardest script I've ever encountered - "Objection sustained" or "Objection overruled" and repetitive and confusing references to "Drugged wine" and "Implications based on facts" - no scope for improvising or ad libbing WHATEVER! I'd like to thank Ailsa, especially, and the all rest of the cast for their help and support and encouragement as my lines meltdown got worse and worse the closer we got to first night! And total respect to Mark and Brian who had about two thirds of the script between them! You were both excellent, guys! Anyway the highlight for me was seeing some of the fantastic new talent who joined the cast and I'm really looking forward to working with them all again! This group goes from strength to strength and I'm proud to be part of a group that so readily attracts and involves new people Jane
What can I say about The Vigil? First of all as Stage Manager I had so little to do that I spent a lot of time in the bar!! More of the same in future please. As for the performances - all first class. Stan was brilliant as Simon Peter - a natural if I ever saw one. Comments from the public - "Very professional", "Excellent" and "We'll be coming to the next one". The Mad Professor also got a lot of positive feedback!  Responsive and appreciative audiences on all three nights. Well done Ailsa for choosing such a super play and getting great performances from everyone Betty
This was my first production with the Chameleon Players and it has been a wonderful experience. They have made me feel welcome and it has given me some fond memories. Highlights include Paula swearing all the witnesses in and Governor Pilate wearing glasses on stage when he wasn't supposed to. I have seen some excellent characterizations by the other members of the cast. I even managed to get my own part right on one of the three nights! Mike
I really enjoyed doing The Vigil, lots of funny times as well as emotional times. Ailsa choose a really interesting play that got you wondering what actually did happen in that garden Helen
This was a very odd experience for me, having to sit through the whole show not saying anything until about twenty minutes from the end, NOT zoning off and DEFINITELY not picking my nose during one of Brian's impassioned rants. Actually, it was great fun and I never got tired of watching various Chameleons coming on, doing their best bit and buggering off again. It was like watching a really good "Carry On" film where you'd go "Ooh, I like HIM" as Charles Hawtrey twinkles on. Major kudos to Mark, Jane and Brian for their heroic efforts and holding it all together, and, of course, to Ailsa for making it all happen. I loved it and, more importantly the audiences did too Ray
I had a great time and met some wonderful people who I now class as very good friends Stan