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…
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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…
Producing – Proper Job – Honest / Employers of the future
Where would the arts and entertainment industry be without employers who make projects and businesses run, and without programmers who seek out and fashion the array of works which we see in our theatres and festivals around the world. Without…
Theatre around the world
After only a year of welcoming producing students to the CGO Institute, I am proud that we have become members of the ITI/UNESCO Network for Higher Education in the Performing Arts. In May 2018 I met the leader of the…
Superbia – thank you
In February 1990 Jonathan Larson turned 30. Six months later he heard about the worldwide Quest for New Musicals and submitted his first two musicals to us at Buxton Opera House. I was 32 and just starting on what would…
K-Musicals / a global view
I have been at the birth of a global brand this week, and a way of working which could change the face of theatre and our way of doing show-business in the future. We need change, and whilst aspiring and…