Editing Repertory theatre (section)

== Weekly rep ==
A '''combination company''' was a touring  [[theater company]] which performed only one [[Play (theatre)|play]]. Unlike [[repertory]] companies, which performed multiple plays in rotation, combination companies used more elaborate and specialised scenery in their productions.

A similar term, "weekly rep," denotes a British movement started in the early 1900s that focused on shorter runs of a single new work, rather than having several plays ready to perform at any given time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pallardy |first1=Richard |title=Repertory theatre |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/repertory-theatre |website=Britannica |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> 

For weekly rep and for a typical three-act play, the actors' week would start on Tuesday, and go as follows:

*Tuesday: notes on previous night's opening of the ''current'' play from the director, then a sit-down read-through of the ''next'' week's play with some discussion by the [[Theatre director|director]], on-the-feet [[Blocking (stage)|blocking]] of the moves for Act I, with a few questions from the actors, followed by the second performance of the current play (which would also occupy every evening up to and including Saturday).

*Wednesday: run Act I of next week's play and start to block Act II, but break early because there would be a [[wikt:matinée|matinée]] of the current play.

*Thursday: finish blocking Act II of next week's play, run Act II and block Act III.

*Friday: run Act III, run through the entire play with no scripts in hand, and technicals – meaning lights and sound – to watch, and write down cues.

*Saturday: run through again, stop and go to test lighting and sound cues; costumes may be used if ready. Two shows today, including a matinée; the evening show closes the current play. After the last show, the set would be struck (taken down) by the crew - usually [[apprentice]]s – and the [[stage manager]].

*Sunday: for actors, an opportunity to brush up on lines and moves, and for private rehearsals. However, for the crew it would mean putting up the new sets, hanging and focusing lights, and setting sound equipment.

*Monday: in the morning, a run-through, usually without costumes (to save wear and tear), mainly for the technicals. In the afternoon: a "Full Perfect" [[dress rehearsal]], maybe with a few friends seated in front to gauge reaction, then copious notes. In the evening, 8 o'clock opening night, followed by notes from the director, visits with friends from the audience and maybe a party nearby. The process would start all over again on Tuesday.