Life After 'Navigating'

It all seems so long ago now, doesn't it? I've been busy sorting out what I am going to direct for Harbour next year, since my first choice ('If They Send Me Three And Fourpence') was knocked back for not being well-enough known and my second choice ('The Castle') has a rights embargo on it for the time being. So, I have been reading lots of plays and getting lots of ideas. Meanwhile, I have been getting back into the musical side of things - jamming with a band and doing solo comedy stuff at clubs, pubs and even 'the Tiv'. I believe I am about to embark on my next directing outing very soon - Phoenix have asked me to help out with ' A Knight To Remember' - a medieval comedy cabaret - although I will be overseas when it actually goes up. As for my 'Navigating' hangover, I am still a bit mystified as to what I achieved. I always say the artistic endeavour is more important than the audience numbers, but unfortunately success and failure are measured in financial terms at the end of the day and the director has to answer for it. So because it was a financial flop relatively speaking, the feedback has tended to be very low key, albeit invariably positive. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that it was an artistic success. It was a powerful narrative and the cast brought their own strong individual and collective interpretations to it. If someone researches the play's history someday, I am sure our production will rate highly in terms of its vitality, integrity and longevity. As for my own contribution, I sometimes feel the cast actually directed themselves more than I did. Also, even though I conceived the set, light and sound designs, I'm sure they would have happened and been just as impressive without me. If I had it to do over, I would go for a longer rehearsal period, greater use of audio-visuals and crank up the publicity stunts!-)