And out of the darkness comes...

So, it's week two of scripting in the Everyman's cosy writer's room and I'm bent double, crying with laughter over something Zara has said and I swear we're getting work done, promise. She said that babies cry when they are born because it's literally the worst thing that's ever happened to them and I don't know what it was but my god I couldn't stop laughing. And it was here, amongst funding drafts and fundraiser plans and script, that I was reminded about one of the best things about the project so far, as sentimental as it may be. I've made friends. Creative, funny, intelligent, interesting people have entered my life and I'm making work with them. They are sharing ideas and concepts and expertise and this is what I pictured that my creative life would be like at its core. No matter how bumpy the road might be.

What? We're scripting? Fundraiser?? Who's Zara?

Oh boy, buckle up. Stuff and things have changed round here.

First of all, sorry about the wait. I can absolutely assure you all it isn't because nothing has been happening - quite the opposite. Bespectacled has been so busy lately that our social media has been a little quiet - apologies! But here are the updates from over the past few months:

The biggest shift is that our wonderful directors Zara & Sam have well and truly integrated into the company's first project. They have been my rocks, my backbones, my saviours and my hope for this project and I can't thank them enough - this goes too to all who have helped develop the piece since October. They have played with and developed and creatively structured this idea, this concept that we had at the very beginning into something wonderful, into a story which makes sense and most importantly, matters. They've gone from directors, to designers to writers and all of those things all at once. They've stuck by us. And we're making it work. Remember me saying that I'm a baby at this and I know it? Well, they're teaching me and helping me learn just how tough just about everything about producing your own company work is. And that's what Bespectacled is about. Sharing and encouraging involvement and development both within the company and personally is integral to us.

With this in mind, our process has been similarly fruitful. Goddamn, I love actors. I do. Their wit and energy and insight into the characters has made for some spectacular devising, out of which new characters and an entirely new plot-line was formed. They have been inspiring in their characterisations and we can't wait to show them what we have created with their input. We are now scripting a full draft for them to play with after the break to see what weird and wonderful additions they can make to what promises to be a darkly humorous and confronting piece of theatre.

That isn't to say the project hasn't had some problems, of course. When we started this, I remember Zara saying that "Your heart will break. Bad. Really really bad. Many times." and I have to say, I've felt a fair few cracks forming. We had a nightmare organising a venue date (which we thankfully now have and will be announced soon), we had actors having to leave, and at the end of December, our dedicated rehearsal space which we had booked until February reversed its agreement and left us with, well, nowhere to go. And each and every time, we have picked ourselves up, brushed ourselves off, and gotten the fuck on with it. It's what we do. It's what we have to. We're creatives, and we're used to not being taken seriously. Which only makes us even more determined to make something of ourselves.

So watch out, Liverpool. We have a cracking cast, a fantastic team, and an exciting script in development ready to throw back at our actors at the end of January. We will also be updating our 'Meet the Team' page over the next week so you can see some of the lovely people working with us for this project. Our debut performance will be officially announced soon - look out for your personal invitation to...the ball of the century!

P.S Yes! A fundraiser! Watch this space! Details coming soon!

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