Backstage

So, I've got another commission with The Stage, this time writing a smaller article for the Backstage section of the magazine. I pitched the idea as another profile, this time writing about Tim McInnerny's partner, Annie Gosney. She started off as a theatre designer and stage manager, then made the transition to producer. She's got some fantastic stories about her trade, and a wealth of advise for aspiring backstagers. Unfortunately, Ken (Freelance editor of Backstage) didn't think a profile was appropriate, so we agreed to change the angle to a more generalized piece about the transition some designers make into the producing side of the business.

I don't have a fixed deadline for this commission, but I wanted to make a start on some research. I found a number of women who had made a similar leap into producing, and wondered if it might be more appropriate to concentrate on the diversity of women's roles in theatre production. I have emailed Ken with this suggestion and await his opinion. I have no idea if this is common practice to chop and change, but I can't imagine it'll be too much of a problem, as this one seems to be a bit more of a relaxed interaction.

I am waiting to hear back from Matilda at the Ecologist about the pitch I sent to her three weeks ago. It's a piece about my friend's bespoke furniture company, sixixis. He makes beautiful sustainable steam-bent wooden furniture in Cornwall, to the very high end of the contemporary design scene. I know Matilda is interested, but I guess she must be caught up with going to press or something.

Another exciting project I'm working on is a kind of publicity mission for the Bridgwater Town Hall rejuvenation project, which is why I'm anxiously writing this in the Engine Room cafe, waiting for my interviewee to arrive...