Guest Blogger: Tim McArthur

Directing a new piece of theatre is always an exciting challenge, whether it be a new play, a new comedy or even a new musical. In my experience as a director, supporting and nurturing the writers is always the most interesting and sometimes the most demanding part of the process.

I've enjoyed some success performing my one-man shows (and the one-nun shows too!) on the London cabaret scene since 1997. I've been lucky enough to perform at some fabulous venues, from The Purcell Room to Pizza on the Park, and at one of my second homes in Theatreland, the Jermyn Street Theatre. There's also been the excitement of performing in international venues, such as two seasons at Don't Tell Mama NYC and even taking my alter ego, Sister Mary McArthur, to open The New Space Theatre 2 in Cape Town.

Relaxing has always been a difficult state of mind for me but over the years, as I approach a certain age - my close friends will tell you I have been 30 for ever and even they don't really know how old I am - I am increasingly throwing caution to the wind and appreciating holiday/vacation time

Over the past eight years I have been quite successful with my musical comedy character Sister Mary McArthur. She was created when I was asked to perform at the Purcell Room, when I was performing as myself - no gimmicks in sight. My musical programme needed an upbeat fun musical comedy number to open the second half. What to do?

The Eurovision Song Contest has always been a highlight of my yearly calendar, beating Christmas, Easter, my birthday, and even holidays. As a young child I remember being completely fascinated with Eurovision. One Saturday night in May, the family would gather around our small TV in our living room and watch with anticipation as various countries battled it out with a three-minute song performed in their native language, often with hilarious results.

So here I am sat in a classroom at the University of Cumbria in the relatively small city of Carlisle, close to Hadrian's Wall, about to embark on a new theatrical journey - I have seven weeks to direct the genius that is Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" with nineteen 21-year-olds.

In this industry, I thrive on what I love to do, whether it's performing, directing, radio presenting or, occasionally, dressing up as a nun. But in the past weeks the events that have taken place have been another major learning curve in one's career, dears.

Just under a week ago I finished the gruelling schedule of being the pantomime Dame in Dick Whittington through dark mid-winter in the picture-postcard county town of Hereford in Herefordshire in the UK. Today, however, I am sat on the terrace of a villa in Nerja, about 45 minutes' drive from Malaga on the southern coast of Spain.

"Tis the season to be jolly… tra la la la la la la la la!", spending the festive season performing in the great British theatrical tradition of "it's behind you!" - yes, pantomime.