See all those attractive young people throwing flowers around? Well that’s none other than the cast of Faith, Hope & Gaffertape’s latest musical extravaganza, Beauty & the Beast.

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. Time, once more, to throw ourselves joyfully into the impossible task of putting on a full length musical in a week with all the madness, invention, tears and laughter that such a task entails. The next few days will be a maelstrom of singing, dancing, prop making, instrument playing and acting our little socks off as we prepare for opening night in just four short days time.

Sheer lunacy? Wishful thinking? Utter stupidity? Trust us, we’ve heard it all before and it’s not going to stop us. Keep your eyes glued to the blog for more updates on the mammoth task ahead. The show’s been cast, we’ve read the read through and blocked the opening scene.

We’re on our way, baby …

Here’s us at the directors’ meeting we had on Bank Holiday Monday:

It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come since we started running Theatre Week independently at the end of 2003. This will be the first year Caroline and Matthew won’t be leading the event because they’re due to have a baby in July, the most exciting news ever (possibly more exciting than this year’s Theatre Week). It will be very strange without them but they are still very much at the heart of gaffertape and involved as much as ever in the preparation (some might say that’s the boring bit, but admin can be as rewarding as it is… boring).

If you’re planning to come this year, we’re really looking forward to seeing you and bringing the Disney magic to Theatre Week. If you’re not and you’re 16 – 25, we still have a few places left. Have a look at the Events section to find out a bit more, and drop us an e-mail if you have any questions. This year is shaping up to be an awesome week in the fairtytale kingdom of gaffertape and we wouldn’t want you to miss out!

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.