I watched a bit of BBC breakfast this morning. The wonderful Victoria Wood was on, talking about a TV film she’s made which is going out over Christmas, called The Day We Sang. She was being asked whether she was afraid or daunted by writing and directing it – as if she’s never written or directed anything before! I mean, can these interviewers be any more patronising? – and she said that as director you’re at the top of a pyramid of very talented people; “…standing on the shoulders of the choreographer and musical director who are doing a sterling job…”
I know how she feels. Although I’m involved in directing theatre and not film at the moment. I do feel as if I’m teetering on the shoulders of our amazing choreographer and MD, Julie Barker, whose experience of staging shows outstrips mine and who has the most incredible stage eye. I’m so impressed with the routines she’s put together for Cinderella and the standard of work she’s managed to get from our young dancers. Of course, I’m also being helped by our company; all of them amazingly seemed to know instinctively what I wanted from their performance and character, so I feel as if I’m hovering on the outskirts at rehearsals, just bringing them all to order when they get the giggles, which is often, but it’s all great fun. Oh yes it is! I’ve got the great Amy Mac as company manager as I’m not very good on the admin side, either. So my only real job is to worry it’s not going to come together. I’ve found myself waking up during the night, worrying about things that are long solved. For instance, the night before last, I sat up, yes, I actually sat up in bed and said OUT LOUD, ‘What are the little fairies wearing?’ I live alone. So I’m now at the stage of talking out loud to myself. Oh, dear! The fabby Stacy Plumb designed the costumes weeks ago. Last week I had drinks and dinner with my friend Lyn in Birmingham. Our drinks were interrupted several times by phone-calls as we sorted out a photo-shoot for a local paper for our leading ladies Elena-Beth Carter (Cinderella) and Lydia Lucy (Fairy Godmother). Lyn remarked that it was like being out with Cameron Mackintosh! If only! He has millions and minions, which I don’t. Still – this time next year………
My Christmas present to my readers is almost ready. More news very soon!!
I was saddened to see tweets sent by Jack Monroe yesterday, accusing David Cameron of using his severely disabled late son before ‘selling the NHS to his mates.’ I don’t like to get involved in politics on my blog; Blogland is awash with people who consider themselves political commentators and experts. But I am saddened and sickened by the attitude of this woman and those supporting her. She is a mother herself. How can she possibly know what the Camerons went through with their little boy? Does the fact that Cameron went to Eton mean that he didn’t suffer for and with his son or love him to distraction? Jack Monroe CHOSE to have a child and then CHOSE to give up work and live on benefits. She then CHOSE to write about – exploit if you like – her son’s ‘suffering’ at living on benefits, the result and consequence of her own actions, and in the process became the darling of the left-wing and soon found herself a wealthy woman. Good luck to her! But Samantha Cameron didn’t CHOSE to have a disabled child. Monroe’s original tweet – and subsequent tweets – show a total lack of humanity and basic decency; the ugly face modern women. We have enough to get on with without turning on each other. And by attacking Cameron, she is also attacking his wife; a woman and a mother just like her.
