Mike Maran, who is producer, performer and company manager of Mike Maran Productions, lists those who have inspired him.
Arthur Oldham, choirmaster and music teacher
I sang for Arthur at school where I was Mabel, then Katisha, and then Prince Tin Tac Ping Foo in The Land of Green Ginger, (a part Arthur wrote for me), and in church where we sang Byrd, Palestrina and Britten, and in the Edinburgh Festival Chorus where we sang, Tippet, Berlioz, and Stravinsky with Abbado, Solti, Rosdestvensky, and, most thrillingly, Mahlers 8th with Alexander Gibson. Arthur Oldham put kids like me in touch with the summit of European music-making. He told my dad that I should go on the stage. Dad tried to save me but it was too late!
Father Anthony Ross, Rector of Edinburgh University
Amid a lot of gossip Father Anthony befriended youngsters in distress. He denounced Enoch Powells Rivers of Blood speech, urged us to the barricades and led us in marches against apartheid. We learned that morality was a public thing. He gave us the café of the Catholic Students Union, 23 George Square, for our first Edinburgh Fringe production in 1977 and took a fatherly and scholarly interest in our work. A lighthouse for little boats in trouble, he had a heart that could float a battleship.
Ruth Eastwood, Chief Executive, The Haymarket Leicester
Ruth was one of the first to book our stage adaptation of Captain Corellis Mandolin for The Lighthouse, Poole, and then she booked everything else we did, co-producing two of the shows. She does partnership, co-operation, problem-solving, equal opportunities, puts people it touch with each other, makes things happen, and shows you how to do it for yourself. With Ruth in Leicester there is no need for a god in heaven.
Patrick Sandford, Artistic Director of The Nuffield, Southampton
Ruth Eastwood put Patrick and I together. He directed our productions Novecento and Picasso & Me. You dont feel his hand on the tiller; you may not even notice the change in direction until you find yourself in uncharted waters and wonder whats going on. Then he bestows the gentlest, warmest, wisest smile and everythings okay. Ruth knew we needed a director, and she was right. We didnt, and we were wrong. He was going to have to be very special, and he is.
Simon McBurney, Theatre de Complicite
Twenty years ago I had my own Edinburgh Fringe chat show on Radio Forth, a privilege that allowed me to see shows and talk to people about their work. I saw Complicites More Bigger Snacks Now and Ive seen most everything else theyve done since. I go with a notebook and pencil and learn. The answer to a question about the theatre was always, what would Complicte do? Last year I took my 16 year-old son to see their Measure for Measure at The National and he thought it was just the coolest, sexiest thing ever. Im still bathing in the reflected glory.
Mike Marans production Picasso and Me is currently on tour.
w: {www.mikemaran.com}