Went to London with my sister today for a cultural day. Saw Grayson Perry at the Wallace Collection, Every Brilliant Thing at SohoPlace and lunch at Mildred’s with desert at Italian Bear Chocolate.

Incredibly proud of my family today as a national campaign from Asthma + Lung UK launches to encourage students to take their inhalers out with them featuring my cousin. Zoe died following an asthma attack whilst at uni. You can read about her, and the campaign here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Working on a project that is entirely personal, being led by you and your ideas is such a joy and privilege. I spend so much of my freelance making other people‘s visions come true that I forget how much passion I have for making the arts happen when I‘m the lead artist. 😍

Always surprised by how a bit of sun makes me feel alive again after the grey of the skies.

Felt really smug this morning getting to the gym before 7am only to realise I left my phone at home and couldn‘t actually get in. Turned right back and drove home. Doh.

Have been freelance for over 12 years and today marks the first time I‘ve had to file a claim for an unpaid invoice. Am hoping the individual pays up quickly as I really don‘t want to go to court over it. *fingers crossed*

Does anyone have any tips for commuting? Am currently having to drive 1-2 days a week for a 3-3.5 hour round trip for work and it is so exhausting me.

In bed by 9.30pm reading a book. The fact I find this delightful doesn’t distract from the fact that I can feel my age creeping up on me…

Happy birthday to me. I‘m off on a solo trip to Paris for a few days to decompress after a busy few weeks. Looking forward to experiencing Paris after many years away.

There is no LGBT without the T. Standing up for my trans friends, colleagues, peers, lovers and community, always.

Asked for a recommendation from my favourite bookseller today. After much thought she said “the book I want to recommend is only in hardback” to which I responded, “for you, I’d buy hardback”. There was a pause before we both cracked up laughing, blushing profusely.

My tulips are slowly getting there and I‘m so excited to see them bloom!

Subsidised theatres produced a 1/3 less shows in 2024 compared to 2023 painting a bleak picture of rising costs, the need to co-produce and a change in audience wants. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Feel like I need a lay down after reading The aber Sting by Paul Murray. What a thrilling read with such engrossing characters. Can see why it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2023.

There’s a moment when you‘re reading a novel and the story begins its climax and it’s like running down a hill really fast. You find yourself turning page after page, hurtling towards the pinnacle of the story whilst also trying to slow yourself down to saviour every last word. I love that feeling.

Today I spent a lot of time talking about plants and flowers. I‘m really grateful for that and how the LGBTQ+ community has brought me closer to some beautiful things, like nature. Here are the bluebells in my garden, which are unlike any bluebell I‘ve seen before!

You know what the arts are missing at the moment? Hope.

A difficult couple of weeks but getting out into the countryside for a 6 mile walk was just what I needed to be reminded of being grounded to the simpler things in life; nature and the outdoors.

Have been a fan of Martin Parr’s photography for years. Was hoping the documentary I Am Martin Parr would at least reveal more about his process and opinions on photography, instead it’s just a nice look at the Britishness of his work. A like warm tea affair.

Arts Council England have announced the next round of Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP). Applications Open: 24 April Closes: 22 May Decisions: 24 July www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp

I might be having a mid-life crisis. Last night I booked not one, but two trips to Paris as part of the Eurostar sale. One a solo trip for my birthday because sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

Absolutely adored Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly. The sort of queer family exploration that fills you with so much joy. Not often I laugh out loud whilst reading, but this proper chuckled me. Worth a read.

If you work in the arts as a freelancer take a moment to undertake the @freelancersmake.bsky.social’s Big Survey. It’s the final one & is so important to track what freelancers experience. It’s been used to lobby and change policy at Government level! freelancersmaketheatrework.com/big-freelanc...

This morning I described my relationship to working in the arts like an abusive relationship I keep returning to. Wow. Okay. Why would anyone put themselves through that? Repeatedly?

Looking for recommendations on what to do in Cambridge. Has been years since I was last there. Would love: - veggie restaurants - places to see (contemporary) art - best cake places - walks Whatcha got for me? This replaces my trip to Malaga this week 🥲

Where would you look for a very last minute holiday after your surprise one for your dad has fallen through because of illness? Where do you book last minute flights/hotels/deals in the sun?

I love reading, it brings me so much joy.

I think my therapist is stalking me. Either that or we have excellent taste in culture and food because it’s the second time this week they’ve rocked up to the same place as me. 🤣

Caught the @nationaltheatre.org.uk’s Live of The Importance of Being Earnest tonight at @broadwaycinema.bsky.social. It was incredible. Ridiculous. Camp. Masterful in ensemble comedy. Haven’t laughed that much at theatre in years. Do catch it in cinemas, it’s definitely worth it.

Today I had the pleasure of bringing a group of actors together to film on a train. A series of short films about the vulnerability of women and girls using the train network that will be shown to hundreds of staff. Months of work and such a different use of my producing skills.

Oh I do scrub up well. Occasionally. 💃🏼

Valentine‘s day when you‘re in a long distance relationship with a Doctor is just meh. I lost my boyfriend to A&E today and once again the NHS sucks the fun out of my relationship. Well, at least he is saving some lives, which is more than me. I‘ve just drank a lot of tea today. Doh.

The reports about changes to Arts Council England‘s eligibility for Project Grants is going to rock the industry. Should be made public in the next 2 weeks but crikey, it looks bleak for artists and independent organisations not in receipt of ACE regular funding.

Went to see Girls & Boys at @nottmplayhouse.bsky.social last night and it was such a punch to the gut. Dennis Kelly is such a master at drawing the audience in, winning them over and then taking the narrative where you least expect it. Well worth a visit to see.

I’ve become the sort of person who catches an early evening film (September 5, very good), returns home with a pot of yogurt and sits sipping peppermint tea whilst reading poetry on the sofa. Who even am I?

Just finished reading Olga Tokarczuk‘s The Empusium, a Health Resort Short Story and I think I finished it out of spite. I was not gonna let her dribble of a novel get the best of me. Reader, it nearly did.

Got to see Beautiful Thing on the big screen. Had forgotten how brilliantly funny it was. Great to see it and have a talk beforehand delivered by @cjdebarra.bsky.social on 90s LGBT+ Nottingham.

14 meetings today and I am done. No more. Weekend is activated. Goodbye.

Hull yesterday was rather delightful.

I‘ve drunk too much Coke Zero on a school night. I‘m going to be wired for bed. 😳

Had an extensive conversation today with a fellow creative about how leaving London has fuelled us to look beyond our artform and to find inspiration, time and space in other art. That felt very powerful.

Just finished watching The Traitors. Might need to lay down for a bit, my heart rate was up there.

Payday? More like pay your tax day. 🥲

Shoutout to anyone who is paying their tax bill this week and feeling the pinch. January is bleak for finances but you are still doing great folks 💪🏼

Watching a documentary about trans folk in America getting their first suit at a trans and queer specific tailors with the LGBTQ group I volunteer with and doing my best to hold back the tears. What a glorious thing to get to share with non-gender conforming young people.

I swear I do other things than walk around in fields but holy heck, 2 days walking Knepp Estate in Sussex, a 3500 acre rewilding project was just incredible. They‘ve got roaming animals, land that encourages biodiversity, trees thriving and so much more.

A gorgeous day of exploring the grounds of Blenheim Palace as part of the boyfriend‘s belated birthday.

Will be travelling along the M40 tomorrow through Oxfordshire and the Chilterns. Where should we stop off and explore? Any nice places for lunch or walks or activities? Help!

Went to not one but two LGBTQ+ social groups today. 4 hours of being in your community in a city like #Nottingham is a big deal. Especially when one of the places was the new(ish) #LGBT Pride Shop!

Looking to work with a Stage Manager and Production Manager for tiata fahodzi’s spring touring plays. It’s a lovely gig going to some great venues across the country. www.tiatafahodzi.com/jobs