Force It Into Existence

James Grieve MBE is an award-winning theatre director. He was formerly Artistic Director of the UK’s national theatre of new plays Paines Plough where he oversaw 49 world premiere productions on tour to more than 300 places across the UK and internationally, and launched Roundabout; the world's first pop-up plug-and-play theatre. He has directed new plays by some of the UK’s leading writers including Mike Bartlett, James Graham, Kae Tempest, Tom Wells, Penelope Skinner, Elinor Cook and Sam Steiner. His acclaimed productions of new plays, classics and musicals have been seen in the UK, North America and across Europe. James was formerly Associate Director at the Bush Theatre and founder of new writing company nabokov. He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to theatre.

• IntroductionStart-upForce it into existenceEntrepreneurialismIf it didn’t exist you’d have to invent itInvent the futureShowbusinessInspirationGrowPractiseTasteSlateKleptomaniaThings you can do to become a better directorTrainingAssistingGet a proper jobStay on the fucking busAlways learningFailureProductionResearchConceptCreativesCastingCastingThank you cardsPrepFearFirst daysReadthroughRehearsalBody languageNotesI don’t knowRunsTechPerspectiveContradictionDressPreviewsCutsPress night cardsPress nightReviewsThe show must go on?LifeWork/life balanceSacrificeRealismDrinking (with actors)FitnessFlowAntisocialSkillsYou’re only one skill in the roomJob descriptionLeadership v managementFergie or Wenger?DelegationClarityConsistencyTransparencyResponsibilityResiliencePatienceDynamismTenacityRunning the showArtistic DirectorshipStrategyValuesCultureRecruitmentYou can do anything (but not everything)FundraisingConsultative sellingManaging upMediaDebriefWisdomMentorsAlways work with people better than youDon’t work with the same peopleOnly do the jobs you really want to doUndeniabilityNo excusesDon’t put things offQuotesJust do the playDon’t be a dickThe colour wheelNotes to writersFlatteryLuckExhortationsFind your tribeBoldly goImposter SyndromeAdvocateExcellencePass it onEmpathyDiversityThe Netflix standardNon-negotiablesKindnessEpilogueAcknowledgementsNotes on the NotesBibliographyProductions