Maison Foo Production Journal – Day 1 – 04.02.13 From the first moment in the Maison Foo rehearsal room it becomes apparent that the cast of 'Pendulum's Bargain Emporium' are a close knit group. Whether they've known each other for years or, as in your writer's case, a brand new acquaintance to the group, is irrelevant; all are welcome here. Having come on board for this rehearsal week as an outside eye, a reporter in the loosest sense of the word, it is my task to provide you, the reader, with a look into the rehearsals, the process, and, if I dare, the minds of Maison Foo. A creative and peaceful atmosphere is instantly ushered into the room as the four cast members stretch and limber up in preparation for a hard day of character discovery and plot development. The only sound to be heard is the occasional deep breath and my keyboard tapping away feverishly. It's a rare opportunity to be on the outside of this process – a shadowy eye on the wall, ever looking in but never being noticed, never an intrusion, simply there to observe. I should mention at this point, as the actors continue...

Maison Foo Production Journal – Day 2 – 05.02.13 Despite the heavy snowfall early this morning, the cast all arrived full of energy and ready to face another day of devising 'Pendulum's Bargain Emporium' . By the time I’m called to the theatre, the group has already done their warm ups and other morning ablutions that all Thespians must go through in order to be ready for a day of intense creation. As I arrive, Jedi Mick is leading the creative process as Matt tries to improvise a story in order to develop the piece. The remaining cast sit by and watch, making notes and throwing in suggestions – once again collaboration seems to be the watch word for the day, this cast is beginning to become one cohesive unit, soulful, helpful and utterly inventive, at home in their own fictional world of fancy and wonder it becomes clear that, at least for now, the cast can see the Emporium. It is within this heightened state of realism that true theatre lies; as Kate stands up, uncalled and unprompted, and joins the drama, Matt responds naturally, as though it were part of the character's everyday life, a stitch in...

Maison Foo Production Journal – Day 3 – 06.02.13 As midweek greets Maison Foo, as indeed, it does us all, the team are still in high spirits and working hard towards the end-game of the show that seems so clear in the collective group consciousness. Today is a big day for the design team, Designer-Kate, (not to be confused with, resident 'Foo', Actor-Kate), is working, full throttle, on experimenting with various pieces of set and the overall look of what will eventually become the backdrop for our story. Tina, the second half of the design team will join us later on for further development. This morning is no different than the rest of the week, in so much as, when it comes to the sheer levels of creativity and joy experienced by the team when working on forging the potential moments that will make or break the show. Now that resident mentor and Jedi Master, Mick is no longer available for the week it's interesting to observe a more slapstick way of working ensue. The group seems to have been possessed by the ghosts of the Marx Brothers overnight. The truly open atmosphere of the rehearsal room seems to...

Maison Foo Production Journal – Day 4 – 07.02.13 The sun is shining today and there's a slight change of form for the gang; the rest of the cast haven't been called in yet and aren't due to arrive until later on in the morning, however, the core 'Foo's, Beth and Kate are plugging away at coming up with a concrete plan for the narrative. This is being done in order to speed up the process. It's a strange hybrid of a scripted piece and a devised one but, it seems, it may well be a more efficient and logical way of working. It shall be intriguing to see how the rest of the cast responds to this development once they arrive and peruse the plans... As I observe this method, I can't help but notice that, as Beth writes down notes and Kate physically tries scenarios and options, it's apparent that the two leading ladies of the company work very differently, but all the more effectively for it. The fact that there are two like-minded, yet equally opposite people working towards the same goal means that, for Maison Foo, there's never a dull moment and, in theory, together...

Maison Foo Production Journal – Day 5 – 08.02.13 Following the eventful evening I experienced with the team last night (more on that later) the group are in a somewhat relaxed and mellow mood; while I get demoted to coffee-fetcher the gang goes about their usual morning routine of stretches, warm-ups, songs and other 'actor-y' exercises. The work today will be the last I see until the show begins to tour, and thus, I’m determined to absorb every possible iota of detail and information I possibly can today. It'll be fascinating to see in just a few short weeks how the show will evolve and change and, finally, be completed. Having worked primarily, this week, on the characterisation and the overall feel the piece, it'll be an interesting moment when, in March, I manage to see 'Pendulum's Bargain Emporium' in its' entirety. So far, in my capacity as Production Journalist, I’ve been privileged enough to have complete and utter freedom in my snooping; each cast member has been welcome and accommodating in the incessant tip-tapping of my keyboard and the ever-present “chi-click” of my camera's shutter snapping closed on yet another historic 'Foo' moment. As these thoughts leave my...