Rehearsals
"We all used to assemble over the four weeks, and it was quite arduous, because we would rehearse during the day and also in the evening. But once you got into the culture of Student Show you had to go back and do more and more."
Willie Reid, Scriptwriter and Performer, 1975-1977
Early in ’i new year, the show’s administrators get ti work organising rehearsals, wi’ script readings held first ti gie abody a chunce ti practice their lines afore full rehearsals get unner wye.
In early years rehearsals wis deen in Marischal College’s gymnasium, and syne later, the affa funcy Mitchell Hall.
Nooadays, rehearsals tak place in the fower weeks leading up ti the show’s opening nicht. The second twa wiks involve a sair trachle o’ 10am starts wi’ lowsin’ time nae till 10pm.
Early in the new year, the show’s administrators get to work organising rehearsals, with script readings held first to give everyone a chance to practice their lines before full rehearsals get underway.
In early years rehearsals took place in Marischal College’s gymnasium, and then, later, the imposing Mitchell Hall.
These days, rehearsals take place in the four weeks leading up to the show’s opening night. The second two weeks involve a gruelling schedule of 10am starts and 10pm finishes.
Remembering rehearsals
In this video, Paddy Rice, one of the stars of 1958's 'April Showers', and Joy Crockart and Ken McRae, two seasoned performers from a number of 1970s productions, share their memories of rehearsing for the Student Show.
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'Pick o' the Pack' singing rehearsal
1953
Reginald Barrett-Ayres had, two years prior to this photo being taken, joined the University of Aberdeen as a Music Lecturer. He would go on to direct show, but in this production served as Musical Director. He was known for making rehearsals fun, and for joining in with the students' impromptu football matches at the end of long days spent rehearsing.
'Strike it Rich!' rehearsal
1979
Produced and directed by Roddy Begg, who had also directed 'Fit Next' in 1974, 'Strike it Rich!' was the first show in decades to take the form of a musical comedy instead of a revue. Here, (back from left to right) are bass guitarist Jim Buchan, lead guitarist and Script Editor Eric Crockart, keyboardist and Musical Director Ian Maxwell, and (at the front) keyboardist and Assistant Musical Director Ewen Ritchie, taking a break from rehearsing to pose for a photograph.
'Fit's On' rehearsal photograph
1982
Laurie Burns, who had performed in Show as a student, came back as Choreographer for 'Fit's On'. She led workouts every morning to help the cast get fit and ready for the stage. 'Battering the cast into super-fitness' is how her methods were described in that year's souvenir programme! These are some of her unfortunate victims.
'Town and Gown' stage directions
1933
Written and directed by Dr Douglas S. Raitt, 1933's 'Town and Gown' was perhaps the most ambitious show to have yet been attempted. Telling the history of Aberdeen town and the University from 1496, the Show began in Old Aberdeen's St Machar Cathedral, with the delivery of a Papal Bull granting Bishop Elphinstone permission to found the University.
These stage directions would have been used to show the actors their positions on stage during the scene.
'Running Riot' props list
1968
The Stage Director of 'Running Riot' was George Sinclair, who, while rehearsals were going on, would have been preparing backdrops for the sets and gathering the props, such as teacups, telescopes, brooms and umbrellas, that were needed in each scene.
'To Meet the MacGregors' backdrop sketch
1946
This sketch shows the backdrop for the prison scene in 'To Meet the MacGregors'. Artistic representations like this helped the set design team to develop their creative vision for each act or sketch in the Show.
Dress Rehearsals
In this clip, the cast of the 2008 show 'Date Expectations' are having a dress rehearsal of one of their musical numbers, 'Super Duper', to the tune of... perhaps you guessed it? 'Super Trouper', by Abba.