Back in New Zealand, I watched a superb production of The Mystery of Irma Vep. Now, I'm fortunate enough to direct the show for Beaumaris Theatre. There's not many groups like Beaumaris Theatre that have the space and team to pull it off, so it's a privilege to work with them.

Auditions are always a little tricky. Much like job interviews, you're only presented with how a person is at that moment. You ask yourself if it's not a very good reading, are they just nervous? If it is a good one, is this as good as they're going to get? Indeed, auditions for Irma weren't without their trickiness, but we're lucky to cast Patt and Jonathan. They've got great chemistry and are going to do a fantastic job.

I’d describe my directing style as collaborative. I don't always know how a scene looks, how it should be blocked, but I know how it should feel. Getting there is the fun part.

It's important to be open to surprises because the work isn't finished on opening night. There are elements of a show that don't reveal themselves until a performance and if you're not open to them, you miss out on keeping the work as fresh and alive as possible.

We're just getting started with Irma rehearsals, but discoveries are already being made. I hope you get along at the end of May to see what we're making. It's going to be wonderful.

Div Collins, Director

The Mystery of Irma Vep will run from May 25 to June