So our show closed Saturday night. We went out on high note. Great energy, great responsive audience, and a packed house.
Farce was such a departure from what I normally get to do. Very fun, but hard to do without an audience. We were just hitting our stride with where the audience laughs and bringing in the show very tight.
The matinee on the other hand was a unique experience for me. I completely blanked out in the middle of my second line. Nothing, nada, zip. Neuron didn't fire. Luckily my fellow actors covered for me. I didn't drop out of the scene or even looked confused. Once I had the cue for my next bit I was fine and the people I knew in the audience didn't even notice.
Apparently this happens to everybody at some point. It's never happened to me before. It happens in slow motion. It feels like forever. The thing is to keep going. Make something up if you have to, but don't drop out of the scene.
It becomes bad for the audience if the show is suddenly about, "oh, that poor actor." instead of about the narrative.
All in all the show was great fun. I learned a lot. I'll have pictures later in the week.