This was sent to me as found in the Guardian - thought I'd share.

Do these apply to you?

Yea, thou shalt direct thy play

Stephen Unwin
Wednesday May 26, 2004
The Guardian

Stephen Unwin, author of So You Want to Be a Theatre Director? and the artistic director of English Touring Theatre, sets out the 10 commandments of theatre directing (with apologies to Moses):


1. Thou art not God. Indeed, the more you think you are, the less everybody else will. Good directors "steer the actors through the minefields of their own best intentions". Aspirations to omnipotence just lead to humiliation. There will be times when everybody looks to you for your opinion, and you had better know what you think. But just be careful not to confuse usefulness with divinity.

2. Graven images are splendid, but make sure you don't get bamboozled by your designer. A little on stage goes a long way. The play's the thing.

3 .Thou shalt only rarely take the name of the Lord in vain. Swearing can be cathartic. But try to be diplomatic, too. You need your actors to give you their permission to be directed, and each of them has to be handled differently. Be careful, however: young directors often say they want to create a "wonderful atmosphere" in rehearsal; fine, just don't use cosiness as a cover for your own incompetence.

4. Thou shalt work most of the hours God gives (even on the Sabbath). Directing has its joys, but it's exhausting, too. Every break is full of meetings and you never get the morning off. Don't underestimate the amount of physical and nervous energy it takes: develop your stamina.

5. Thou shalt honour age and experience. Insulting actors who have been on stage longer than you have been alive is neither big nor clever. Learn from their experience, respect them and try not to be scared of them. Working with your friends might be easier, but it won't be as rewarding.

6. Thou shalt not kill, however much you want to. And believe me, there are times when murder feels like the only option. But losing your temper never works - avoid it.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery (unless you absolutely must). If you do sleep with your actors, it'll be impossible to direct them. But don't forget that the physical and the sensual are an essential part of the theatre; it's an art form, not a university seminar, and however well educated you are, cleverness isn't everything.

8. Thou shalt steal. Where else do you think your ideas are going to come from? All theatre-makers are part of a living tradition that is continually reinventing itself. As there is more in heaven and earth than is dreamed of in your philosophy, you need to keep opening up to new people, new approaches and new ideas.

9. Thou shalt bear false witness. It's essential. Sometimes you have to say "You were wonderful, darling", even if you think the opposite. The paradox is that, even as you do this, you are hunting after the "truth". Don't be puritanical, but don't lose sight of what really matters either.

10. The only thing worth coveting is thy neighbour's royalty cheque. Particularly if he has just directed a big musical. You're clever, organised and driven; why not become a lawyer instead?


Obey these commandments and you'll avoid trouble. And if you follow the 11th and most important one - get lucky! - theatre directing can be the most interesting job on earth.

Although this is done in a humourous spirit, they are actually really good. Or at least, as a novice director, I find them to be. But then am a big fan of Stephen Unwin and LOVE the book.

Specific comments:

2nd commandment - On Friday I found myself wondering whether this ornament ought to be there and whether we need a picture there... and as this commandment rightly says "the play's the thing". And I should have been paying attention to the rehearsal. *slaps wrist*.

4th commandment - Stamina, Stamina, my kingdom for some Stamina!

5th commandment - I have some wonderful experienced actors in this whom I was TERRIFIED of directing. They have been absolute joys to work with. My friends, less so...

7th commandment - Adultery. Hmm, difficult when my partner is in the production!

9th commandment - Bearing false witness. ABSOLUTELY VITAL!!!!

I can't recommend Stephen Unwin's book highly enough. Go buy!

He's quick isn't he.....

But I agree with all of it... Totally...

Actualyl I'm going to print it off and sent it to all the "old sweat" directors I've worked for.... *evil grin*

I'm going to pin it up in our theatre!

Me too - it's absolutely spot on

Number 4 is the truest of all, in my opinion!

Re number six - whilst you don't want directors sreaming and shouting all over the place, there are times when assertions of displeasure and authority can be necessary.

I know last year when my gruesome twosome were abysmal at a word rehearsal, I walked out on them at the end of the rehearsalwithout a word and went straight home. The next day I had various phonecall and apologies, and the word were much better the following rehearsal.......

I've decided, on reflection, that number Nine is the most important one of all...in amdram, at least!

Bear false witness--NEVER

If you want your company to trust you, never give them an opportunity to doubt your honesty. You just have to learn when to keep your mouth shut. You don't always have to give a bad actor a note in public. You can encourage a bad actor after he has made some progress. Let them know you care, and you won't have to lie.