General Information
During the year 2000 D J Clark built a visual record of the Lancaster &
Morecambe district using photographs and information submitted by those that
feature in the pictures. The project was conducted in association with Lancaster
Museum and has been archived for future generations to look back at the district
at the turn of the new Millennium. For more information on the project visit
the information page. If you find a caption is
wrong or there is a fault with the page please e-mail D
J Clark.
Date:
June 9th 2000
Location: Grand Theatre,
St Leonard's Gate
Photographer's Diary
9th June - Rehearsal of Communicating Doors at the Grand Theatre.
Footlights, an amateur dramatic society were keen to tell me the theatre was the second oldest in the land. I think there were some rules associated with the claim, but none the less it was old and impressive. Steve Cook, a technician I work with at Bolton was on the lights and had tipped me off about the performance. Again I was mindful of the problems in shooting a live performance and opted for a rehearsal. Arriving late (hotfooting it from a photo shoot with the Home Secretary for the probation service in Blackburn) I spent ten minutes trying to work out how I might get in. Finally Steve turned up and showed me the one side door I had missed.
I started wandering the underground tunnels that links the green rooms and tea making area. Finding one performer I barged in and made some pictures. Later during a pre-performance discussion with the director, the lead actress (Lesley) pointed at me and said "what is that man doing wandering around with a camera" the director explained and I was left stunned for words. She went on to instruct me not to be stage right at the end of Act one as she would be changing.
It didn't take me long to realise why, as she opened in a leather suit that revealed most of her body. I walked the gantries and wandered the theatre as the performers did their stuff. I could see the director getting frustrated with my movement, but fortunately did not comment. At the break I went down for tea and captured a remarkable conversation between two of the actors who were frustrated at each other for not having the right lines. I had never noticed.