DevOff on tour

Just back from a busy couple of days in London. On Thursday, with Simon Jones, to a brief committee meeting of the London/SE OMA, moving along plans for the April 21 London Dinner. Immediately followed by an open pub evening in the Crown and Anchor, Neal Street, Covent Garden, where there was a good turn-out, including a number of Simon's 88-95 contemporaries and current London undergrads drafted in by committee member David Leeming. Not a boozy evening, but great to catch up with what people are doing now. Little doubt that if these guys (eg Messrs Hough, Petecki, Stephens, Ross and Poyser) aren't running the world yet, they soon will be.














The rest of the trip for me involved forward planning for the drama festival we are holding in the autumn to celebrate the opening of our new drama centre. We are expecting to have a topping-off ceremony at school in a couple of weeks' time, when the building will be weather-tight following the installation of the enormous flytower above the theatre stage. Then the serious electrical work starts and we expect a hand-over in the summer.

I met Robert Powell, who is kindly going to fit a one-man show for us into his hectic filming schedule. Then over Waterloo Bridge, on a beautifully crisp, clear evening, to the National Theatre to see our Drama Centre Campaign Chairman, the newly knighted Sir Nicholas Hytner.
At the end of a long day's rehearsal (London Assurance - opening soon - very funny - strongly recommended) Nick found the energy to think through with me how we can bring in the last chunk of funding for the project and deliver an opening festival to please all our stakeholders. So we are looking at student productions, including a musical, a masterclass which he will lead, and performances on behalf of some of our partner charities in Greater Manchester. We also hope to attract a small touring company to what is going to be a cracking venue for drama.

A great couple of days, spoiled only by a Friday night Euston concourse heaving with humanity as tannoy announcements apologised for technical problems delaying and cancelling services north. Late to bed.