Shakespeare skills exchange

Liz Fisher and Liz Herdson at The Swan Theatre

If there is one thing I learned about directing a play, yesterday, it is that my own one and only attempt at a 10 minute playlet was woefully inadequate.

Seeing a professional director at work, working with professional actors, reminds me of the day I spent assisting at the local primary school when my kids first started at school in Bridgnorth. The experienced teacher (now long since retired) would persuade a recalcitrant child by going to them, getting to their level, gently encouraging them to rejoin the group. She never stood and shouted across the room. I learned something from her and that same respect and individual concern was evident in the approach that our visiting director had to the actors. He explained that his job was to support and encourage, not to instruct.

It set the standard for the skills exchange day at Stratford and although the subsequent two sessions were very different they were both delivered with that same professionalism and courtesy.