Second reading of the play ('Here') tonight, which was a bit odd initially as it was in the corner of The Riverhead, upstairs and I felt bit self-conscious to start with... but the noisy darts players in the odd_room_at_the_end_with_the_door_usually_closed drowned us out, except when Martin really got into his part and shouted some lines. Keep away from the Tourrets people upstairs, must be their night out. chuckle.
Brigid and Jo hadn't read their parts before and it resonated with them - resonated is director's talk for made them blub a bit. On the strength of all 4 actors blubbing at first reading, I'm confident to share this with others in an audience/play type situation... first week of October is planned - eek.
I need to find someone else for the part of Spike, Tom would be better playing the part of Dad... who is offstage all time at present so I need to do dome improv with him and Martin and write him in a scene.
I'm excited by this, never done anything similar before - the directing, not the writing and it's a challenge. Gilly is assisting (i.e. making all the best suggestions for props/staging/music) which is comforting. Working with Gilly and Jo as professionals and Martin and Brig who both have natural acting intelligence,even if 'amateurs' - I'm well chuffed when I stop and think about it.