August Goings On

Well, it’s all systems go. RIVER CITY starts up again, filming through to December 6th. This weekend I am in Glasgow at the Purple Hotel signing for two days.... do come if you can. (2, Row Avenue, Renfrew, Glasgow, G51 4SY.) My writers group is scribbling away with some very exciting and FUNNY ideas, and THE SUNDAY DRAMA COLLEGE starts up on September 7th in Tunbridge Wells. (for further details please email thesundaydramacollege@hotmail.co.uk) Soon I hope to have similar workshops all over Britain. We start one in Eastbourne next January, and hopefully Lewes the following Easter.

I’ve just returned from a deluged but rather wonderful holiday in Biarritz... visiting my gorgeous niece, her new baby girl and two lovely sons. I was ‘the lady in the van’ for the week as their spare room isn’t built yet, but their converted monster van is. I was in luxury and slept sooooooooooo well. At least 10 hours a night. How needed was that?

My one woman show FROM WOMEN’S EYES (for further info please email tlcprods@hotmail.com) was a triumph in Eastbourne, (for their Shakespeare Experience Festival at the Underground Theatre) as was WOTCHA WILL. I had the privilege to work with 18 teenagers on a pot pourri of Shakespeare. What a talented bunch... and, if there’s a God, we’ll do the same again next year.

Between the teenagers and the rainy Sud du France, I did a week’s work at The Globe with Bill Buckhurst directing again. Nine of us were filmed 24/7 whilst workshopping Romeo and Juliet. They will only use 45 minutes of the filming on a DVD for teachers to reference, but I include it as one of the most enjoyable, informative and inspiring weeks of my career. I learnt so very much about teaching THROUGH text rather than ON it. Hard to explain, but it has completely made me re-think my methods of directing, not to mention strengthening my ambition to work on The Globe stage for real. I’m holding that vision.

Have to go and pack now for my weekend in Glasgow. Hope to see some of you there. Sending you love, and some sunshine... with what’s left of the summer, and thanking you for checking in... Love, Louise x

River City & Hamlet

Hi all, what a year it's been so far. Feeling quite blessed. I spent from February until May recording RIVER CITY (see photo, right) and the feisty Viv has made her screen debut. Toy boy grabbing, internet dating, hairdresser, lush. A woman who behaves badly! She's a great character. God bless the soaps for taking care of actresses of a certain age. Most of my scenes are with the darling Barbara Rafferty. Talented, fun, welcoming... she's just great to work with.

Immediately after that I started rehearsals for Hamlet in Stafford which is where I am now, just about to enter our last week of performance. When the weather holds it has been absolutely fantastic, but just occassionally it has felt as if I were in The Tempest and not Hamlet! Part of a Shakespeare Festival, the performance is on the biggest stage I ever worked on in the castle grounds. Such an adventure, with the brilliant Joseph Millson playing the Great Dane and the very talented Bill Buckhurst directing. These two jobs simply couldn't be more diverse, and I'm LOVING them both.

I go back to River City in August, but before that, I fit in another Shakespeare Festival in Eastbourne, but this time directing 20 young adults... more of that in the next blog... and also another audio job for Big Finish, again written by the lovely Nigel Fairs. So the God of Drama is smiling upon me... I hope your summers are panning out well. Love L x