On 'A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC'

"Don't cry for something that has finished but smile for the memory!"

I love this business we call show, how it keeps challenging me and gives me interesting new experiences all the time, whether it's playing Sam Byck in Assassins last year, presenting my live radio show every week or even dressing up as a nun and performing at a Black and White Cross-dressing Ball - don't ask!

I've always learnt something from each and every job that's on my CV, whether it be a good or bad experience... what and how I can learn, achieve, alter next time I'm plunged into various situations and opportunities? What is that old cliché saying: you're only as good as your last job?

Recently I've been directing third-year students in "A Little Night Music" at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle. Now I have never worked at a drama school or taught at a university before. So the game was on...

Just before Easter, which was the end of week 5, to be honest I was finding the process quite difficult. I had only just finished blocking the show. Normally in my experience as a director the show would be open by now and my days would be free to watch Loose Women (middle-aged women bitching on tele) and Alan Titchmarsh (ex gardener, now TV presenter) covering a whole variety of essential subjects, from planting pansies to dealing with haemorrhoids.

My students were a lovely group of people, obviously some more experienced than others, some more aware of acting techniques and some more advanced in talent and ability. I strongly believe as a director (well, in this case as a teacher too) you have to support and bring out the best in your students. Looking back I really believe that Chris Peake (the musical director) and I treated them fairly and encouraged them to be brave and creative. We achieved this by creating a safe, relaxed rehearsal process and in many ways we did treat them as mini-professionals, praising them when needed and telling them off when necessary.

Production week was interesting and stressful, as is always the case even in the world of the theatre. Not only were we working with acting students but our tech team students too. So the production week was also full of interesting problems to sort out, such as achieving a white set on a black box. Blame the director for that one - oops, that's me! In the end, the team rose to the challenge and all was achieved!

What was so liberating and moving was how much the students had grown in both confidence and talent over the nine weeks and the four performances were a joy to watch. Each performance I felt like a proud daddy watching my children shine and give their all with such aplomb and gusto. The last performance, me and Chris were sniffling away on several occasions and when the extremely talented Sarah Yeomens sang " Send in the Clowns", well, that was that, I was biting the handrail next to me. Plus I think the keyboard will need some attention after the tidal wave of emotion that came from Chris.

So reflecting back, it was an amazing experience and personally so rewarding. I have already adopted some of the students and even offered to help a new boy band The Tailormade. I've never done that before, so that will be interesting in the tough world of the music industry. The university have already asked me back to direct next year... so here's to my next batch of students! Let's hope that next year our local pub might be serving rosé wine out of a bottle rather than a tap... La La La!

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