London, Keswick, Stoke and Porthcawl !

After casting for Beauty and the Beast (Porthcawl panto) on Monday morning at the Drill Hall in London I rushed up to the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. I love the theatre and how it has grown over the past decade, as well as the fantastic programme- a mixture of the classics, new writing and contemporary pieces across the mainhouse and the studio.

After a lovely meeting with Ian Forrest, the Artistic Director, I saw Ayckbourn's Chorus of Disapproval (picture left) and loved every minute. It's a fantastically crafted piece and the cast were wonderful - including my good friend Aimee (thanks for the z bed and wine and chats!!) It was also great to bumpt into Eliza Hunt (a fine actress and colleague who I worked with alongside Alan Ayckbourn 6 years ago on Sugar Daddies for National Tour) again and to catch up. I'm looking forward to seeing Memory of Water in the studio later in August. If you've not been to Keswick yet- do! http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk/

It's been busy planning the Blackpool Summer Season in the office this week with Kev and designing the AV with Manoubi Ben Lamri. The show looks at the history of Burlesque from the parody of musicals and operas in the 19th Century onwards.

It's Porthcawl photoshoot tomorrow at the theatre for panto so it'll be great to meet some more of the cast and see Steve and Sarah (Boden- producers of Imagine Theatre). I love the start of pantomime and pre-production.

Blackpool Summer Season!

It's often amazing how this business works... one week directing a documentary play for National Tour.. the next co-producing Burlesque productions in Blackpool!

Burlesque Revealed will be presented at the Pleasure Beach this Autumn..however, we will be ensuring that this has a narrative through line! 

The show uses A/V footage to look at the narrative of Burlesque from the 18th. Century to the present day resurgence. I've found it fascinating exploring the early parody and social satire that Burlesque started with to its current 'feel' via America in the 1920s and 30s.. 

My co-producer Kev McGreevy  has ensured we've got some of the best UK performers on board as well as vocalist Sarah Tuson (from TV's I'll Do Anything)... 

We open in Blackpool on the 8th August so hope to see you there!

Pantomime 2009-10 !

Casting so far includes Jessica Sandry (who I worked with in 2003 at the New Vic Theatre in Outside Edge -can't wait to be working with her again!) Plus...Tony Wright as Dame, who's played at Porthcawl last year and Vern Griffiths... looking forward to working with you!

I'm delighted to be back working with producer Stephen Boden of Imagine (formally WISH Theatre) to direct Beauty and the Beast this Christmas at Porthcawl, South Wales.

Imagine's scripts are written by Tweenties creators Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton and I love directing them... real story driven scripts and Imagine has fantastic production values and great creative teams and casts...

It'll be great being back in Wales as I've directed at Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Wrexham and love the Welsh theatre scene.

So am packing my scarf and wolly gloves for a Welsh pantoland adventure!

Have a peep on http://www.imaginetheatre.co.uk/Productions/Beauty-and-the-Beast-Porthcawl.aspx

and http://www.grandpavilion.co.uk/ for more info!