facebook play-alt chevron-thin-right chevron-thin-left cancel location info chevron-thin-down star-full help-with-circle calendar images whatsapp directions_car directions_bike train directions_walk directions_bus close home newspaper-o perm_device_information restaurant school stay_current_landscape ticket train

A Day In The Life: Ian Hallard

First Published 4 October 2016, Last Updated 6 October 2016

Mart Crowley’s seminal play, The Boys In The Band (which premiered just months before the Stonewall riots), opens tonight at the Park Theatre. Ian Hallard plays party host Michael, who gets an unexpected – and unwanted – surprise in the shape of a figure from his past. He invited us to share a day in his life, the day of the technical rehearsal, complete with customised marshmallows, dressing room selfies, and, happily, plenty of Bunsen the Labrador.

 

1.Wake up call. Still adjusting to my new hair colour: dyed black yesterday for the part. I’m still doing double-takes each time I pass a mirror.

1. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

2.  Mark and I walk Bunsen our Labrador into work. The Park Theatre is gloriously dog-friendly!

2. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

3.  The Girls’ dressing room.

3. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

4. Goody bags courtesy of our producers, Tom O’Connell and James Seabright.

4. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

5. Harold and the Cowboy pose by their chalk drawing.

5. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

6. Stage Manager John Pemberton surveys our fantastic set before we start causing mayhem on it.

6. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

7. Harold applies his pockmarks. Mark is truly in his element.

7. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

8. Protect the costumes at all costs! Bibs must be worn when eating.

8. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

9. The dressing room contemplates what is about to happen. Daniel looks particularly despairing.

9. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

10. At least somebody is relaxed about the whole thing.

10. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

11. The production team watch RC-Annie oversee the fight call.

11. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

12. Contemplation of a director.

12. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

13. Violence is about to break out.

13. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

14. Details from the set.

14. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

15. Period lamp-shade!

15. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

16. The view from the mezzanine level.

16. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

17. Michael loves his divas. How many can you name?

17. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

18. Sage advice.

18. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

19. Harold doesn’t appear until the final seconds of Act 1, so Mark uses the opportunity to do a little moonlighting and catch up on some writing.

19. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

20. Dressing room selfie!

20. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

21. Prop table.

21. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

22. Tom, Debbie and James – our producers and production manager – pop in to see how it’s all going.

22. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

23. Larry and Hank cuddle up. Don’t they make a lovely couple?

23. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

24. Jack receives a first night gift of customised marshmallows – and offers us all the opportunity to eat his face.

24. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

25. Visiting the Boys’ dressing room.

25. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

26. The view through Michael’s front door…

26. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

27. The drinks pile up.

27. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

28. Michael is getting hostile.

28. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

29. Harold and his birthday gift.

29. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

30. Bus journey home at the end of a LONG (but productive) day!

30. Ian Hallard: A Day In Life of The Boys In The Band technical rehearsals

 

A huge thank you to Ian for taking all of these photos and giving us a fantastic insight into the technical rehearsal. The Boys In The Band plays at the Park Theatre until 30 October.

Share

Sign up

Related articles