Back to School

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I went back to school this week – embarking on some serious Stanislavski* research in readiness for this week’s Black Company session – it was fascinating going over familiar ground with fresh eyes – remembering things I had forgotten over years of directing and at the same time realizing where some of the elements of the way that I work had come from – it was comforting to think that they hadn’t just popped into my head randomly but instead have more substance and universality than I gave them credit for…

I was reminded of the importance of collective responsibility when making theatre…that a company of actors should strive to be supportive, to avoid judgement, to be disciplined in their approach and that the work of making should be at the heart of everything that happens in a rehearsal room to create a truly creative atmosphere to work in…I was inspired by writing on inspiration, imagination, truth and expression…and I was filled with ambition to help my actors find a inner creative state, to enable them not just to ask questions about their work but the right questions and explore the tempo rhythm, the action and the objectives within characters and scenes…

This term is going to be one of the best yet…full of opportunities both to play with creativity and be serious about the craft of acting…in addition to the rehearsals for our Christmas performances we’re once again going to be resident at Nostell for Halloween, our Connections play will be auditioned for and started, there’ll be an open mic night announced soon and all manner of other joys…and it all starts this Thursday…so see you all very soon….


*for those that have never heard of Stanislavski – he’s a Russian theatre practitioner who lived and worked in the 19th Century and became the founding father of almost all contemporary thinking about the craft of acting…

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