Copacabana - The Silver Shoes Diary

...or The Diary of a "Copa" Girl.

One of our lovely "Copa" girls is writing about the trials and tribulations of not only getting to grips with what it takes to be a "Copa" Girl, but also how to cope with adding 4" silver heels to the mix.

This is the first of, what we hope, will be a regular entry until show week!

Over to our mystery "Copa" Girl

Dear Diary

It’s the second week of February & dance rehearsals are well under way.

Trying to remember the steps while not forgetting the words is a normal challenge in any show, but with this one the Showgirls also have to “Copa” with doing it in sky-scraper sparkly silver heels (see pic)!

They make your legs look great on stage, but as I’m 5’7”, I never wear heels this high, so I’ve had to learn to walk in them first!

I’m now a familiar sight tottering around the office as I try to break them in.

If I take the shoes off to give my pins a rest (calf-ache & foot-ache set in after a while) I get asked where they are & I’ve even sold tickets to “Copa” as a result of my efforts!

Next step: succeeding in keeping them on while doing a spin turn. Watch this space... (Editor "Oh, we will!")

Update 11th February 2013

I’m not wearing the shoes today!

Yesterday’s 4 ½ hour dance rehearsal has left me with achy feet, legs & back. Just the thought of wearing them today makes me wince..

Copacabana starts 5 weeks tonight!!!

Harpenden Public Halls, 18-23 March.

Tickets are on sale:

Online:  www.hlos.ticketsource.co.uk
Email:  hlostickets@live.co.uk
Telephone:  07817 331150

Copacabana - Dancing Fools

... or not!

Just before the snow hit our men's chorus had a Sunday afternoon rehearsal to learn, master and conquer the number "Dancing Fools". Here is Ian's version of events -

The men’s chorus gathered on Sunday afternoon, shuffling in to the dance rehearsal room looking at their feet and trying to mentally will the two appendages to work in unison!

The choreographer explained what a great dance number ‘Dancing Fool’ is and how the title is not an instruction. Starting off slow, we began putting a series of steps together, all of us were beginning to feel more confident until the music was played at normal speed and then it was mayhem.

But we persevered, had a cup of tea, persevered some more and slowly the sequences came together and we thought we had cracked it. Then the lyrics were added to our single task brains and the steps went AWOL.

 

The choreographer left for home but the men stayed on determined to master the dancing & singing and eventually hey presto, it clicked, we’re eleven dancing ‘non fools’!

 

We've now got 6 weeks until opening night - tickets are on sale www.hlos.ticketsource.co.uk, via email hlostickets@live.co.uk, or by calling 07817 331150

 

Copacabana - Just Arrived ...

... back at rehearsals after the Christmas break, ramping up for the show (which opens 8 weeks on Monday - in the words of the immortal "Corporal Jones - "Don't Panic!")

Here is our first rehearsal blog, written by one of our long-standing members - Louise.

"Well, it's already half way through January, and rehearsals are continuing for HLOS's production of Copacabana in March.

What better way to beat the cold weather by transporting ourselves to Havana via New York!

I've been a member of HLOS for just over 20 years, and in that time have been in opera's, G&S, classic musicals and more modern musicals so am looking forward to adding Copcabana to that long list.

 

Everyone knows Barry Manilow's song Copacabana, so it's been fun to see how he created a musical storyline and show around the famous song.

We learnt all the music to the show before Christmas, and this year so far, rehearsals have been taking place in smaller groups.

 

There are so many scenes in the show, that it's easier to focus on smaller sections of the show when blocking and setting.

 

It'll be good to see what other people have been working on when it's all pieced back together.

 

We've heard good reports from the men's dance rehearsal on Sunday where they learnt "Dancin' Fool" so we're looking forward to seeing their routine!

So far, my favourite number is Just Arrived, as it's a great song to sing - but we've still got a few numbers to set so that may change!"

 

Our next post will be from one of our men - after a Sunday afternoon dance rehearsal!