Directing Miss Julie

Many moons ago, I suggested to the RAODS forward planning committee that we should produce After Miss Julie by Patrick Marber.  After some consideration, they said "why not do the original".  So I said "there's an original?" and after the laughter had subsided, I went off and read every currently available translation of Strindberg's classic play.

After much research I settled on a relatively new version by David Eldridge, which had starred the wonderful Maxine Peake.  I had wondered about how to approach directing a play which is notoriously thought of as misogynistic, but knowing that Ms Peake had played the role, with her (to my mind) impeccable political standards, at least put my mind at rest, for now at least.

Now, several months later, with scripts in hand, I've assembled a marvellous crew, and tonight we audition for the three roles.  This part of the process always stresses me the most.  I've no doubt that, eventually, we'll have a great production and that we will all have a great time along the way, but right now, I am waiting, with crossed fingers and bated breath to see who will turn up,..