Director’s Notes:

I always think that this job should get easier as the years go on, but that never seems to be the case. No matter how well we plan everything, from the beginning of June onwards sleep becomes a very precious commodity. It doesn’t seem strange to me any more when a friend asks me at the start of the Summer when my next day off is, and I answer, “September.”

So why do it? There are times when I have absolutely no idea. In the past six years we have had to deal with hurricane force winds which blew all our tents down, van companies that, on the day we were about to leave, informed us they wouldn’t hire vehicles to the armed forces or actors (a strange combination in anyone’s books), lead actors suffering so badly from flu they couldn’t stand up, and visits to hospitals that involved us returning to the campsite at midnight in a small boat driven by a gently inebriated Ken Russell lookalike.

So why do it? Surely not for the evenings spent groping about in dew drenched bushes for hidden wires? Or for the afternoons in a windswept field reminding the cast that they should bring fleeces and winter jackets to rehearsals? Or for the late nights spent in front of the computer trying to proof-read the posters and fliers? (Not much success on this front this year – there are two mistakes on the King Arthur publicity, one more obvious than the other. Bonus points will not be awarded for anyone spotting anymore cock-ups.)

So why do it? Well for a start, for all of the reasons above. What other job could throw up as many challenges, or as many fantastically interesting problems on an almost daily basis? A warm office, sensible hours and a steady wage are all very well, but give me a castle courtyard, 18 hour days, and never a dull moment, any time.

And that’s without taking into account the good times which, to be honest, outnumber the bad ones, but don’t make anywhere near as good stories. It is always an absolute joy to work with a cast and crew who love their job and will work all the hours available to ensure that our productions are the best we can make them. I have met and worked with so many wonderful people throughout our years of touring, many of whom I am now proud to call friends, that I can safely say no other job could possibly live up to this one.

However, if you see me after a show, scrabbling about in the dark looking for a wing-nut, cursing the weather, or searching for the first aid box, please ignore all the above about enjoying myself, and feel free to buy me a stiff drink.