Thoughts on Co-Directing, by Mark Ashton
It’s fair to say that the last 2 years have required us to get creative in our personal and professional lives. How fitting then, that this production is the first big one that we bring to stage since the world turned upside down with COVID-19.
We all tend to look at situations with varying perspectives; this has never been more evident than it is today. Not only is this the first production I ever co-directed but its also the only production I have ever staged in traverse.
The style deliberately encourages the audience and actors to see things from different points of view. It means that two people can see the same story from different angles and perspectives; providing a challenging new experience for everyone. I think the timing couldn’t be more fitting to stage a production that is very unique in a time that has been very unique for us all.
If I was asked a few years ago about the thought of co-directing a production, I would have thought it very unlikely. On reflection the experience I think has been an extremely valuable and rewarding one. My whole career has been about presenting opportunities to young people; so to work alongside someone I have trained for many years, and watch him combine all these skills and bring creative new ideas to the table has made me very proud.
Like the style of the show, I think having two directors has allowed us to offer alternative suggestions on what we perceive the story and messages to be. I have enjoyed striking the balance between old techniques and new ideas about what live theatre should be.
For many reasons, bringing this production to stage has been one of the most challenging projects of my life. Therefore it has become one of the most satisfying to finally have arrived at show week. I am sure the rewards will outweigh the struggle.
Thank you to the cast for seeing it through to the bitter end and to my talented Co-Director and friend Joe.
Mark Ashton
Thoughts on Co-Directing, by Joseph Howard
I can’t say I expected to be writing up co-directors notes for this one! (All of you who I’ve had to bribe to get into this gig… I’ll pay you at the after party) On a serious note though, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’ve felt like this has been a dream production to work on. Namely that’s for three reasons that I’d like to explain:
Firstly is the show itself! Producing a contemporary musical which finds its origins in one of the oldest fairytales is a young director’s dream. Mostly because there is no one right way to do it. How can you create a scene showing the audience a god’s astronomical power while also presenting symbolic ideas on ecology and the environment? There’s a license to get creative, be alternative and think outside the box. The solution certainly won’t be found in a textbook somewhere so instead we have had to experiment, take risks and build our own ‘world’ for this show to exist in. One of my favourite sayings about the musical is that in it ‘the discarded becomes the divine’ and I believe that idea permeates every corner of the world we have managed to build, right down to the finest detail of how we’ve visually transformed the Artz Centre for this evening.
Secondly, that idea of world building… discovering how exactly our story would be told and what style this show would have, it has been so much fun exploring that process alongside Mark as a co-director and ongoing mentor. I’ve been studying under mark for the past 6 years, throughout that time he’s offered me invaluable guidance as a director, always willing to discuss his tricks of the trade with me. Plus as a young man trying to navigate his early twenties in a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate your early twenties, having a truly inspiring role model has done me a world of good. Therefore earning this position and the opportunity to create theatre alongside him is something I’m very proud of.
There’s one more thing that has made this show one that I’ve looked forward to each and every rehearsal: the cast! It is so fascinating to me that now after 18 months of production I quite literally cannot imagine different actors in these roles. Every one of them plays their part in the story that we tell. Sometimes the journey to stage has been very difficult for some of these performers, they’ve had to go really far out of their comfort zone after a life changing two years. However those performers who have made it onto stage tonight have shown tremendous courage, determination and resilience that has personally inspired me massively. My other favourite saying about this show is that it is about ‘reaching back to those who came before us and reaching forward to those who will come next’ which is something I think this cast have without a doubt accomplished. Their retelling of this story is rightfully similar yet completely different to any previous version. At the same time it welcomes Artz audiences to a new and inspiring type of storytelling. You surely can’t ask for much more than that!
So please don’t sit back… whatever you do, do not relax! Instead hold on to the edge of your seat and get ready to be welcomed to the wonderful world of ‘Once On This Island’.