not yet knowing

The autumn begins this bank holiday week - on 1, 2, 3 September - with seven, two-hour workshops to discover the 39 young people who will play in South Hill Park's Christmas production of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan.

This will be a hat-trick experience, having directed Aladdin in 2007 and Beauty and the Beast last Christmas, building on the achievements of all at the theatre these past 25 years.

Three teams of 13 young people are needed - in each: 6 lost 'boy' boys, 6 'girl' pirates and a Michael. The excitement of "not yet knowing" the outcome of who these actors will be is perhaps a life-blood of the theatre experience (for all present): the not knowing; the having to make it up; going with what is offered up; making decisions that you don't know you want to make - all generate and create an emotional / intellectual / physical / adrenalin rush.

Other known ambitions this bank holiday week include:

• two production meetings for Peter Pan - set design and costume design
• a production meeting for 48 hrs which is in 13 days - but there is still one performer to cast
• a trip to Edinburgh next weekend to experience Peter and Wendy by Mabou Mines - but how this is possible, time-wise, who knows
• a funeral - but there is a clash here with auditions (another death!)
• gallery and theatre trips in London
• catching up with some very old friends in London on Bank Holiday Monday - tomorrow
• preparations for Claw
• Britain - zig-zagging between Reading, Bracknell, London and Edinburgh

This week is an official lieu-week but there is much to achieve before it all ends!