Fantastic Mr Fox rides again

Yesterday, our annual brainstorm by the river in Barnes (well Hammersmith, but Barnes sounds better) was blessed for the third year running by beautiful weather. Today the forecast is for 18 degrees. I am making the most of it since there is every chance the sun will go back into hiding for weeks. It is a very useful exercise, the away day. So much from last years ideas 'dump' has been implemented since and it helps focus the mind. Having breaks by the sun drenched Thames helps.

Our production of Fantastic Mr Fox seems to be occupying much of our time in the office at the moment because there is a ridiculous demand for it. I think we could sell performances of it until  Christmas. We have increased the number for this season already but we still have people calling us and offering to buy private performances! That is obviously a testament to Dahl of course but the real reason, I think -in our case at least- is the way in which we have set it. James made a perfect call on both that and the decision to cut the piece to a very palatable length. It is a very up close and personal production and kids really do love that. If I might say so, there is a very good little film about our production here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aww45RP9eQU

More 'stuff' arrives at the theatre everyday and the build is well and truly underway. The canopy gleams after a good scrub too..http://yfrog.com/f/h75wkvzj/

Spring cleaning

A glorious day for cleaning the canopy. And I suppose the men clambering around on top of the roof were grateful for that as it slowly dawned on them what 1200 sq metres feels like when you are scrubbing it with a brush whilst hanging from a harness. Rather them than me..
Tonight we all decamp to Christies South Ken for a Friends event with music and general jollification. We are introducing the company to lots of new people and I am very much looking forward to it.

At the end of this month we hear whether our funding application to the ACE for our Inspire Project has been successful or not. It would be terrific to get some assistance to expand this hugely successful scheme into all sorts of new areas. I can't say I'm terribly confident given the fact that so many have applied for the money in the pot but you never know I suppose. It would be the first time we ever received support from ACE so we are not, as you might say, on their radar. You will be the first to know if I am wrong to be pessimistic.

Quick update

After many months of discussion it was nice to be able to finally speak of our new sponsor, Investec Wealth & Investment. It is certainly a tough time for the arts so we can take some comfort in the fact that companies who see the value of what we do to their own business are still out there. Here is to a successful partnership. The next two years will be challenging and exciting in equal measure as we build a plan for OHP's future structure. I will of course keep you all informed!

The roof lifts off the ground today so having a sunny, still day is a bonus. Once up, the hard work to build the rest of the theatre begins in earnest and Kasete, our operations manager has much to do. The box office is extremely busy processing Friends bookings and it won't be too long before rehearsals begin.

We are all at Christies next week for a very special event to introduce the company to new supporters and friends - about two hundred of them. We have some lovely entertainment laid on and the guest list is impressive indeed, so it is an important evening for us with everybody front and centre for the cause.

On the home front, Fiora is being toilet trained. For parents, no further explanation is necessary.