With our opening performances this weekend we've been too busy to attend to the blog, but now we're in the process of washing costumes and crating up props, ready for our next performances of Pescatrici (30 August: Westonbirt, Glos/ 17 September: St John's Smith Square London).  Unfortunately we were unlucky with the weather which has been so changeable this week - consequently our dress rehearsal on Thursday evening could not take place on our open-air stage, and so had to be (without set) in St Mary's Church adjacent to the Deanery Garden.  Nevertheless we maintained cheerful spirits and it proved an outstandingly productive rehearsal - as director, I felt that it really leapt off the page with every singer making their role and character entirely their own.  The pacing and comedy were excellent, and we all felt confident that we had reached a very healthy stage of expertise.  Photographs by Anthony Hall capture something of the immense fun of this production, set in 1950s Taranto.