Sometimes it is cathartic to read a book where the roller coaster is so much more extreme, the bumber cars are brutal, and the end is never in sight. Especially good when on a theoretical international roller coaster with some…
Author: Chris Grady
Quiet reflections on international projects
It is some years since I spent 5 weeks embedded in a country where I don’t speak the language, am in my hotel room as an office for most of the day, and then moved by car to a rehearsal…
Saudi MT – inspiring music
Every nation on earth has music and stories, and many combine these into artforms which are have many names but in the UK would be thought of as Musical Theatre embracing opera, musicals, music theatre and a whole host of…
The Err is Human…to Communicate is Divine
I write this from my hotel room in Riyadh which is, by direct efficient flight, around 8hrs travel from London. However if you travel by Gulf Air be prepared for it taking 48hrs from checkin at London Heathrow. Well it…
EdFringe 2022 – thank you
Historically I look back on my birthday at a massive array of shows seen, workshops offered, and meetings had at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This year I have only seen 19 shows with a further 5 missed because either I or…
I cheer when I lose staff…
In the last few weeks I have lost 2 associates permanently, and 1 temporarily – and each time I cheer. Over my 40 years I have lost so many wonderfully talented folk. Unlike our ‘esteemed’ UK government this is not…
Exploring bilingual Musical Theatre creativity
Over the last few months I have been working with the Theatre and Performing Arts Commission in the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture to develop training programmes in Musical Theatre for aspiring professional performers. This is one of three talent…
Remembering Anniversaries
A week ago I was in Plymouth to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the doors of Plymouth Theatre Royal to audiences for the first time. On Tue 3rd May 1982 a friendly audience came into the building…
From Zoom to Room & Nostalgia in Bristol
Yesterday I went back in time 44 years to the meeting room in Bristol University Students Union where I first worked on stage management for Bristol Dramsoc. This weekend I was there to sit in a circle with 25 inspiring…
No Producer is an Island
In a few weeks time audience at Southwark Playhouse will be electrified by Anyone Can Whistle and hear these lyrics from the late Mr Stephen Sondheim. I hope his estate won’t mind my using these as words of advice to…