Acting
I'm often asked how often Actor/Managers get to act, so I'm tempted to list the highlights from 17 years. These are also the shows where the acting companies where as wonderful off-stage as on-stage.
Lord Harpenden in WHILE THE SUN SHINES - the first BSC show, with a very special group of actors - Lucy Scott, Tom Hodgkins...
Mean Mr Bean in FANTASTIC MR FOX - our first Christmas show and the first indication that BSC had a chance to succeed
Gooper in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF - working with Marcus D'Amico and Barry Stanton was a dream come true - I watched their confrontation from the wings every night
Joel in BEAU JEST - sitting on stage with the company and waiting for the audience to stop laughing was something I'd never experienced before
Danforth in THE CRUCIBLE - the largest acting company I've worked with, with Carolyn Backhouse, Martin Turner...
Grandma in GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE - one of the most glorious roles ever created for an actor and still one of my favourites
Tom in THE GLASS MENAGERIE - the role in which my approach to acting changed
Hastings in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER - I still remember this as one of the most enjoyable acting companies I've ever been in, on and off - Stephen Mangan, Sandra Reinton, Diana Coupland, Tim Speyer....and a gift of a part in Hastings
The BFG in THE BFG - an amazing company in a spell-binding show
Charlie Fox in SPEED-THE-PLOW - does drama get better? Especially when you're opposite Sophie Bold, one of the best actresses to play against
John in OLEANNA - another production with Sophie Bold, another amazing Mamet...
Dr Ratner in THE DICE HOUSE - one of the top highlights. A dream part with a dream team - fringe, festival, West End - Jim Low, Jeremy Crutchley, Lucy Scott...
Tom in COLLISION - a great play opposite probably the best actor I've worked with, Nathan Constance. You knew the second you walked on stage you were going to have to raise your game simply to keep up.
Dr Dee in HORRIBLE HISTORIES - wonderful part, tremendous show - and Alison Fitzjohn, Greg McHugh, Mark Prendergast, Rebecca Ramsden. Company meals were like comedy clubs...
Simon in THE RETURN - I only got on top of this part once we got to Malta, but it was another experience of working with a great: Alistair Scott-Young.
Dad in DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD - parachuted into this wonderful show and enjoyed every second of Dad
Hal in PROOF - with a great company and a great partner in Sally Oliver in the West End
And now Skellig in SKELLIG - a life-saving, life-changing role with an amazing company, courtesy of David Almond