My gurus: ‘The only way is through’

With a decade spent working in theatre, including a brief foray into local government, I joined Theatres Trust last autumn for a new challenge. Here are the people who have helped me on the way.

Jennie Lee – UK’s first Arts Minister

Although I never had the privilege of meeting her, I stand on the fertile ground Jennie Lee paved. As this country’s very first Arts Minister, appointed to Harold Wilson’s government in 1964, she delivered her seminal Arts White Paper in 1965 entitled A Policy for The Arts: The First Steps.

It was the UK government’s first ever effort at enshrining and protecting culture in legislation. At a time when cultural policy looks set to enter a challenging period of change or reform I reflect on Jennie Lee’s work to remind myself of where we have come from.

60 years ago, Jennie Lee championed the need to invest in cultural infrastructure, especially our theatre buildings outside major cities. She acknowledged the breadth and depth of the ecosystem, citing the role of community groups and amateur performers alongside professional productions and commercial touring.

What’s more, Lee understood the importance of the planning system and of having public bodies – such as Arts Councils and Theatres Trust – to invest in the sector and hold decision makers to account. Rereading her work gives me inspiration and hope.

Diane Borger – Theatre producer and executive director

I met Diane when I was a student at Havard University and she was at the American Repertory Theatre (ART) as their executive producer. American by birth, Diane had spent most of her career in London, including a stint at the Royal Court, taking a leading role in the refurbishment of their Sloane Square venue.

I learned so much from Diane: about theatre, about the buildings in both the UK and the USA, and – most importantly – about how to get stuff done.

I witnessed Borger, as she is known, steward Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More from an abandoned Boston primary school through to New York City; bring together countless production teams and casts for shows that started life in Boston before transferring to Broadway; and invest her time and energy in nurturing the next generation.

Borger is back in London for her ‘active retirement’. It’s impossible to attend an event with her without someone coming up to say hello and thank her for something she did to help their career. Although I’m no longer a student, Borger still gives me brilliant, astute  and, at times, difficult advice. Sometimes, I can return the favour.

Brené Brown – Researcher in courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy

The Christmas before Covid, a friend gave me Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly inscribed with the words: “This book has helped me step into many challenging arenas. I hope it will help you too.”

Neither of us knew at the time the arena 2020 would throw us into. But Brown’s work – which focuses on how courage and vulnerability in leadership helps to shape safe, happy and powerful people, communities and organisations – fundamentally changed how I think about leading and showing up for my friends, family and colleagues.

Her rigour, combined with her humane candour, makes her work and her insights compelling. When tackling something difficult – at work or in my life – Brown’s voice rings out: “The only way is through.”

Brown acknowledges that it isn’t easy, and that a likely reaction is an expletive or to hide under the desk. But with every challenge I have overcome in my life, the evidence has spoken for itself: the only way is through, no matter how difficult that is to hear in the moment.

Alice Edwards – Head of creative economy at London Borough of Lambeth

When you leave a job for a new role, it’s not clear how relationships with your previous colleagues will evolve, especially your boss. Before joining Theatres Trust, I worked at the London Borough of Lambeth, my only non-theatre job in my whole career.

My boss there was the incredible Alice Edwards, leading the way in changing how Lambeth’s culture and creative ecosystem was mapped, invested in and championed. Alice has remained a friend, a professional collaborator and a personal advocate.

Although many of us in leadership positions baulk at being referred to as ‘the boss’, I have come to realise the privilege of leadership is that you get to see someone navigate a multitude of challenges, every day of the week.

And from that you can gain real insights into how a person works and operates. So, it’s a generous gift when someone continues to support a colleague in their growth and development in a new workplace.

Over the last few months, I have been grateful to have Alice listen to my challenges and struggles and share her thoughts on my current situation.

Every yoga teacher I have ever had

In the summer of 2015, over a pint with an actor friend, I somehow agreed to go a hot yoga class. I remember it vividly. I thought I was going to die. It was horrific – horrible – I wondered why anyone would do this.

And yet, I went back the next day. And the next. And over almost a decade, yoga practice – both in hot and more temperate rooms – has become a vital part of my life.

Certain teachers have had a real impact on me and I am always grateful to those who take on the powerful responsibility of holding space for others to fully be themselves, in whatever messy and sweaty glory that is. That is true selfless leadership.

In the yoga studio, as well as affording myself time and space to listen deeply to what my body is telling me, I have found clarity about many pivotal life decisions. That wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible teachers and practitioners who have guided me on my journey. They are true gurus, and I am truly grateful.