Biscuits could have made the difference?

We have now had the production meeting for Glengarry!
We all met in the Spotlighters Bar, because the rehearsal room where we usually get together is being used for I Ought to be in Pictures, our next show. Chris, our director, said a bit about the play, then I had to show the model and costume drawings and talk about the design. The assembled company included Production Management, LX, Stage Management and the Wardrobe department and each member of staff is there to consider “what does this mean for me?” People are often amazed at how short a time we have to get everything ready for the first night; but the production departments of a theatre when working in top gear, are a highly effective force. Seeing the model and other design work at the production meeting is the start of the process.
You may remember that my preferred response from people seeing my models is “wow, that’s brilliant!” But I know better than to expect that at a production meeting. They have all seen so many designer’s models that they are inured to its wow-ness and possible brilliance. The painstaking work that goes into creating the minute detail is taken for granted and what the team really want to know is, how do I think it will be made and what material will be used and will it cost too much? Questions which I have to answer or side-step with a certain suave confidence, because it is so important to give the impression that I do really know what I’m doing! Some production meetings are, for the hapless designer, a bit like being the main course for a pride of lions, but our meeting is good natured enough, although there is a distinct shortage of biscuits. But even so the happy team photo didn’t happen.
Biscuits could have made the difference. You will have to make do with a picture of me looking at the model with Jamie, our Company Stage Manager. Everybody soon disappears to deal with more pressing matters such as the Re:Play festival, now playing, or the show which opens in two weeks time. People work very hard during the season and there is very little let-up. Except for me! I award myself the rest of the day off, and go into town to see if there is anything left in the sales.