Working with my Dad is profound and bloody frustrating! We are not the Redgrave’s, or the Fonda’s, we are the Diamond’s, rough and nearly ready to present our show in Chapter next week.

I’m directing my Dad!(Many swear words follow) It’s tough at times. I say “Dad, sorry Jeff, can you tone it down, and please don’t move your head until the music comes in, thanks” He stares at me, but does what I ask.

As I direct him, I feel the power shift between us. He’s my Dad and I’m his daughter, and yet in the rehearsal room I feel the responsibility of supporting him and making sure he’s the best he can be for the opening night.
The roles have truly reversed. And yet, when we break for lunch everything
changes. I tuck into a chocolate biscuit and my Dad says “ Karin, do you think you
should be having another biscuit?” I spit back “Dad, just let me eat what I want ok?”
and soon we’re back to being father and daughter again.

What makes this show unique is my Dad will be re-telling significant moments from his life on stage. He’s not hiding behind a character or a song and dance number, but bravely sharing his life with an audience. He’s
had a colourful past, and I’ve listened to him in rehearsals share very painful memories
about his life, things I never knew, moments I might never have
known if I wasn’t directing this show. How many of us are curious about the
darker sides of our parents’ lives? Who dares ask the questions?

I’ve always had an emotionally charged relationship with my father; it’s always been a bit on the choppy side. But since rehearsing this show, I’ve really got to know him as Jeff, and not just Dad, and started to forgive him
for all the parental crap I’ve carried with me all my life. Cathartic indeed.

If my Dad can get up on stage and be bold enough to share his life with an audience, then I must do my damndest to help him achieve it with integrity, passion and strength.

This moment between us will never happen again, we will never be this close again. So while he berates me for having another chocolate biscuit, I try very hard to calm the fat fury and remember we are family, but
god, they can bloody push those buttons!

‘A Story To Call My Own’ is being performed at Chapter Theatre Nov 3^rd@ 8pm and Nov 4^th @ 2pm and 8pm.Tickets are £6/£4.Box office: 02920 311050