disciplined 'muck-a-bout'

We have now spent 7 days in the rehearsal room and there are only 3 to go before technical requirements and dress rehearsals start kicking in...

Amidst this there are also press interviews for everyone, photoshoots and appearing at the 'turning on' of the Christmas lights in Bracknell town.

The one thing that a two week rehearsal period does: it focuses your attention and discipline of approach.

Out of necessity, you generate ideas and possibilities in such abundance, and at such a furious pace, that you quickly start to select those created elements that need to stay in and those that need to be ditched; it is amazing how there is a natural self selection process in this process.

And all this happens because playing, laughing - 'mucking about' - improvising dialogue and physicalities (and energy) are at the core of what is happening in our rehearsal room.

At times this does seem forced but more often than not these improvisations are beautifully placed and inspired.

The secret: the actors' abilities to be both so relaxed in the rehearsal room that they feel, and are, truly uninhibited (despite the time pressures) and an ability to focus on being instinctively imaginative by tuning into all the given and conceptual elements.

To be able to walk into The Wilde Theatre at lunchtime, and after rehearsal, and see almost a dozen technicians and crew doing the fit-up has now started to inspire even more ideas and excitement amongst everyone.

I spent 3 hours with two of our actors, after rehearsal yesterday evening, on stage playing with Beauty and the Beast's movement as our designer painted.

As we walked away from the theatre post 11pm, it was a superb feeling to have had this time on stage - and there are 3 in the production! - dancing, 'Beasting', singing, playing.

Everyone is having a really good time...