New year, new website

Having taken on the challenge of redesigning the website for the company, I’ve spent an enjoyable few days looking back through photos, videos, posters and scripts from Theatre Weeks of old. It strikes me it’s quite a journey we’ve been on. All four current directors of Faith, hope & gaffertape started out as participants back in the halcyon days of the mid-nineties when anything seemed possible and the idea of putting on a musical in a week seemed as natural as breathing.

Since then Gaffertape has seen a lot of changes – we’ve seen kids arrive at the age of 14 and grow up year in, year out into these phenomenal, talented actors and musicians. We’ve seen babies born (not actually on theatre week you understand), faiths tested, confidences blossom – hearts broken and mended. And the shows – these beautiful, miraculous shows that fall into place in a matter of days like some sort of magical theatrical jigsaw.

And through it all I’ve had the pleasure of knowing the most wonderful set of people imaginable.

Here are some of them now.

Look at them. They’re funny, aren’t they? That’s me and my fellow directors. We used to be two Meads and two Flints but then two of us went and fell in love and got married and now it’s 3-1 to the Flints. I love this picture for many reasons. a) Look how young we are b) Liv is being silly and covering Caroline’s face which is a mercy c) I’ve got this catalogue model thing going on and d) Again with the young thing.

Anyhoo, what I’m trying to say is my association with Gaffertape has given me more than I could have possibly hoped, more than I could have imagined and probably more than I deserve. I can’t believe I still get to do this every year – disappear for a week into a world of fellowship, creativity and shared purpose. To be inspired and humbled year after year at the sheer courage and dedication of this wonderful group of people.

If you’re reading this and you’re one of those people then thank you for the memories. If you’re reading this and you’re new – then welcome to the madness.

You’ll fit right in, I can tell.