Theatre 101

I am fully immersed in Theatre Production 101 at the moment. My first professional adult play – Hope– is playing at Circa Theatre to full houses so far, with three and a half weeks to go. It was both nerve wracking and exciting to see on opening night, all those people who’d paid good money to come to a play I’d written.

Fortunately they laughed, cried, cheered, and then stood as the lights went down.

And of course that applause is only in small part due to my writing. With a book, it’s all up to me. With a play there’s not only the four fine actors and an excellent director, but a set designer, a lighting designer, a composer, a pianist, a sound designer, stage manager, tech. operator and the publicity team who have all contributed. And who will all earn a share of the box-office takings at the end of the season.

It’s tough being an actor in theatre these days. If the box office is meagre so is the actor’s income.  Despite this hand to mouth existence there is a wonderful magic in the live theatre experience that is hard to beat.

Hope review by John Smythe at Theatreview

Hope review by Simon Sweetman at Sounds Good!