UK Theatre Network

Turbulent.

I think that's how I would describe the last two weeks.

The BBC/Film London Microwave scheme was exciting, demoralising, challenging, disappointing, frustrating, stressful and fantastic. It can only have done me a world of good in terms of production experience but it was my experience of auditioning as an actor over the years that stood me in good stead to accept a NO decision. The call on Friday afternoon took the wind out of my sails for about 2 hours and then it was "onwards and upwards". 

While recognising the disappointment, it's always best not to think what might've been and keeping the disappointment brief is important, or you'll find it difficult to get the motivation to attempt again. Picking yourself up and seeing what you can learn from the experience and move on is a good survival technique in the theatre and film business.

This week I saw "And When Did You Last See Your Father" at the BAFTA screening with Jim Broadbent in the audience. It's a heart warming Sunday afternoon kind of movie with Colin Firth as the son.

Shrek The Third and The Kingdom are this weeks BAFTA screeners. It's that time of year. If you don't see a movie, you can't vote, so I get to see as many as I can to fulfill my voting duties in January. 

On the gigs front, this week I will be at the Royal Albert Hall seeing Darren Hayes and his band in action. I was invited to their rehearsal last week at Bray Film Studios in Windsor and the production was incredible, and that was in a big airport hangar, so it should look and sound great in the Royal Albert.

I'm also moving flats in the coming week closer to Tower Bridge, so my life will be a little bit more turbulent and without broadband for a short period. Keep checking the new articles at the website. The regional review team are always busy with great theatre and film in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Dublin, Los Angeles, New York......

Romeo and Juliet
Star-crossed lovers meet in the Verona of 1938 at the Greenwich Playhouse

The Winter's Tale
Shakespeare's tale of love,jealousy and suspicion. The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. 21 September-20 October www.lyceum.org.uk 0131 2484848 Times and ticket prices vary.

The Brave One
Jodie Foster turns vigilante.

Man Across The Way
Silver Tongue Theatre and Theatre 503 present "Man Across The Way" at Theatre 503, London.