Bloody amateurs!

'Never work with children or animals' actors often say. They might want to add 'or bloody amateurs!' too. The world is full of them. God knows I met plenty in 2023. Despite being as British as fish and chips, I live in France. What a year - starting new teaching jobs, writing, directing and producing two theatre plays, visiting England over the summer and doing my best to stay sane in an insane world. Some amateurs were brilliant and others an absolute pain. You'll have to read the book to find out which is which. I've often thought how amazing it would be if all artists operated to the same rules in the same handbook but sadly no such book exists. I only have my training as an actor in drama school in London, my education, my family upbringing and 60 years of life experience to thank for my attitude to professionalism and I do my very best to treat people as I expect to be treated but it rarely works that way. And so I go on standing up for and fighting for what I believe is right and that's all you can do, right?