This week my daughter and her partner started 6 months volunteering in Calais to offer their skills in the kitchen, the warehouse, and the community of refugees. This gives me hope of the care which younger people have for the…
Author: Chris Grady
Patience, goodwill, collective support, good behavior
Making theatre requires great patience, good will and collective support. This weekend saw the start of Mosaic 2016 – a festival of 10 new plays created with a company of 30+ actors, 10 directors, 5 designers, 5 producers, a technical…
At a crossroads …. two coaches coming along
I’ve been reading a lot recently about the challenges young people face with the crazy education system we have developed in this, and most other Western countries. I am inspired by the writing of Sir Ken Robinson (Essence) and Susan…
Stagefright – fight or flight
I work in a business where I network a lot, end up standing on stage making announcements, and (as I type this) preparing to lead a workshop for 2hrs with a group of Newcastle based creative who I don’t know,…
Favourite moments – production meetings…
When asked what is my favourite moment in the journey from page to stage, I usually say the moment when the house lights go down on the very first performance and there is a silent buzz of expectation, and nerve-wracking…
I’m back with Odd Shaped Balls…
I have been blog-silent for a few weeks. Not sure why, but it has been a month of supporting the development of the Mosaic 2016 festival of 10 new plays which open June 10th; recruiting for next year’s producers’ course;…
Plate Spinning – What’s the point of the Grady?
I was at Hampstead Theatre last night at Terry Johnson’s new play and performance on the life of Ken Campbell. I laughed, cried, gasped, was illuminated in beautiful colours, and learned loads about the extraordinary unexpected genius of “Ken”. The…
Be careful on the way up…
I have had three reminders this week of the need for everyone on their journey in this business to remember the oft quoted phrase “be careful on the way up…”
New Dish – be careful who tastes it first
I was doing a session with some Musical Theatre writers last week and they asked me, after a couple of pints, to come up with the perfect showcase for their talents. I’ve spent 30 years trying to get it right,…
Get your Dirty Laundry here…
Regular readers will know that I am an Ambassador for Phundee – the new arts crowdfunding platform, and that gives me the chance to sit with a creative team and share in the excitement of a project. The aim is…