false <h2>In January Paul Milton was appointed the new director of ReachOut, the Everyman Theatre&#8217;s community and education initiative. Now he’s had time to settle in TG decided it was time to get to know him a little better.</h2> <p>TG – Why did you choose a career in theatre?<br /> <strong>I grew up in the theatre. My Dad was a magician and my Mum his assistant. I first worked in repertory theatre at the age of 12 (in a backstage capacity).</strong></p> <p>TG – What were you doing before you joined the Everyman?<br /> <strong>Working as a freelance actor and director. Immediately before joining the Everyman I was playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in panto.</strong></p> <p>TG – What attracted you to the job of Director of ReachOut?<br /> <strong>Being able to devise, plan and create ongoing performance projects both in and out of the theatre building.</strong></p> <p>TG – What motivates you?<br /> <strong>Deadlines!</strong></p> <p>TG – What do you see as the most important aspect of your job?<br /> <strong>Being responsible for a team of professional practitioners (Youth Theatre Director, Project Co-ordinator, Education Officer, Head of Lifelong Learning, Production Manager and a whole host of freelance workshop providers).</strong></p> <p>TG – What was the last piece of theatre you saw and what did you think of it?<br /> <strong><span class="caps">LIGHT</span> IN <span class="caps">THE</span> <span class="caps">PIAZZA</span> at the new Curve Theatre in Leicester. I loved it – a contemporary musical about a troubled romance in 1950’s Florence. I am passionate about Musical Theatre and am always hungry to see new work in this field.</strong></p> <p>TG – If money and time were of no object what theatre project would you like to make happen? <br /> <strong>A huge all-singing, all-dancing production of <span class="caps">BARNUM</span> performed in a Big Top!</strong></p> <p>TG – What are the biggest changes you anticipate will happen, in theatre, over the next few years?<br /> <strong>I suspect and fear that subsidised companies will go into decline and the whole theatre industry will become much more commercial. We’ll all be clamouring for sponsorship for our projects!</strong></p> <p>TG – Do you think there is a future for theatre in Gloucestershire?<br /> <strong>Absolutely. But I think theatre in Gloucestershire will need to adapt and develop to be able to hold its own in a world dominated by Reality Television and Instant Celebrity. I guess that theatre needs to embrace its “theatricality” and be able to offer an experience that’s very different from what an audience can get from the TV or cinema.</strong></p> <p>TG – What advice would you give to anyone starting out in theatre today?<br /> <strong>Be aware that it’s an immensely difficult career and so much is dependant on <span class="caps">LUCK</span> (Being in the right place at the right time). Get out there and start networking!</strong></p> Paul Milton, interview 2009-06-10T12:40:16+01:00 4b869b3a6ba2c8274c000021 Theatre Gloucestershire caught up with Paul Milton the new director of ReachOut, the Everyman’s community and education initiative and asked him a few questions. true 34 false the-big-interview 2009-06-10T12:40:16+01:00 2010-02-25T15:47:22+00:00 4b869b3a6ba2c8274c000021