I first came across the concept of the Trailing Spouse when I was in China meeting theatre producer Andy Collier who was based in Beijing for a couple of years whilst his wife worked in the Embassy. He was officially trailing in the wake of his partner. I loved the concept and both Kath and I enjoy doing it occasionally.
Last month she was the trailing spouse. I was engaged to start an 18 month programme with the Arts Council of Malta. In Valletta I led a 4 day course on producing, theatremaking and Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 19 Self Producing Artists (SPAs). For the price of an extra flight Kath was able to join me. We had a few hours together to explore the graves of both my grandfather and her grandparents – who never knew each other but all retired to Malta. Then whilst I was working in a darkened boardroom with slides and zoom guests, she was out exploring childhood haunts, beautiful ancient towns, and idyllic swimming places. [I did of course rope her in to do an inspiring workshop on presentation skills.]
As I write this blog I am settled in an idyllic Dordoigne gite taking my turn to be the trailing spouse. Kath is working on the stage adaptation of Em Strang’s extraordinary meditative novel Quinn with actor Nigel Hollidge. The three of them are deep diving into this mentally and emotionally challenging solo role with their mentors Paul Oertel and Nancy Spanier, with whom they have worked for nearly 20 years. My role is to enjoy the views and the sunshine, do some shopping and driving, and to get on at the desk with my own projects for the summer. I’ve swapped by office window view of the Firth of Forth and the Lobster Pot for the sunkissed sandstone farm buildings and a herd of Jersey cows munching their way through a field of brilliant green.
Next week Kath and I take a sneaky week away together with no work (although I may have to get suited and booted for some zoom meetings away from the lakeside cabin we have). Then it is back to the headlong rush to EdFringe 2026.
There is something wonderful about roleplaying between Kath and me – sometimes I’m Kath’s husband three steps behind. Sometimes she’s Chris’s wife helping me network. And sometimes we play non-connected roles such as when we are doing Art of Being Heard or other courses together – where I introduce Dr Kath Burlinson…and only mid course do we reveal that we have been together 26 years. Fun role play.
And PS – for those who follow my blogs and know that 2026 was meant to be my wind-down retirement year, I have to tell you its not going to plan. I seem to be busier than ever. This summer I am developing and running/co-running 5 different international projects in the UK. Korea (July London), Japan (Aug Edinburgh and London), Malta (Aug Edinburgh), Ukraine (Aug Edinburgh), Korea MT (Sept London). Then I’m hoping to be back in Ukraine in October to start a producing/theatremakers programme there. All amazing opportunities for me to learn and understand more.
