In our two hours today, we got through a lot, and I think we'll be ok. One more rehearsal, and we'll be ready to go.

My actors are so good. Really enthusiastic and creative. By golly I'm asking a lot of them though. As Lenny said: "Ah, so much to remember!"

But despite today being very productive, I don't think I was very good. Directing is a performance in a lot of ways, and I think I was a little flat today. I may have gone against some of my principals, feeling the pressure of time.

Principal #1 is to put an idea down into practice on the floor straight away, then modify later. This is to avoid me having to describe things (actors will only really hear half of what you say quite often), and to avoid idea tennis going back and forward. My theory is that oral communication is such a fuzzy thing that there is so much misunderstanding. Not only is it easier to remember something you have physically done, but it guarentees that everyone is on the same page. If a stage picture is infront of you, then you're all dealing with the same thing.

So thats why I just rush in and say "everyone on the floor, in formation, say the first line together now....off you go!"

However principal #2 is treat actors as artists; direct the initial ideas but then leave gaps for the actors to creatively fill in. This one has got partly to do with the difficulty of remembering my long boring descriptions, but its also about ensuring that i am surprised by how the play turns out, and keeping the actors engaged and valued.

Sometimes principal #1 clashes with principal #2. I want to get an idea onto the floor quickly and avoid chit chat going on tangents, so I get them to do things before they have a chance to put their own spin on it.

Really the problem is just being rushed.

Principal #3 is the Simon Fisher principal. Inspire. Empower. Value. This is a big one and a hard one, and I can't even come close to Simon. Directing makes me nervous, particularly today with the time pressure. I don't think I came across as very amazed, fascinated and/or thankfull. My mind was on getting everything done in time, and not on being in the space with them. Then there is the added problem of being a fun, interesting person, which no amount of Peter Brook reading will fix.

Here is that image from the other day kids, if you're looking.