…With those strains of Beckett still trailing me, I return to Brum with a vigour, and time to focus on overdue work that’s suffered from the disruptions of touring. Meanwhile, as summer festival-time approaches, I’m feeling the thrill of  a three-pronged performance assault ;

1. BE festival. Just what Birmingham needed….and the BE Team actually make it happen! The audacious and colourful BE Fest returns to AE Harris in 3 weeks’ time. The BE programme has just been announced and includes a second (improved!) outing of Kindle’s The Furies, which will conclude the opening day’s fare with its Rock and Rage. (I direct, and have occasion to play Dave, the roadie) 6th July, 10pm.

2. Latitude 2011. Red Shift return to the excellent Latitude Festival with The Invisible Show II. Last year was something of a try-out for the show and it proved a great success, so this year the piece is being developed so that audience responses and festival actualities might be folded into the narrative. The Invisible Show II will be performing several times during the day amidst the crowds near the Literary & Theatre Arenas. 14th – 17th July.

3. Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The grandaddy of them all. Not only do Red Shift penetrate the fizzing cauldron that is Pleasance Courtyard with their Invisible Show II, but the Furies fly into the ‘burgh too, a-wailing and a-screeching.  Red Shift, 21st-28th Aug (11.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm daily); Kindle Theatre 24th-26th (late night, venue tbc.)

Watch this space for updates.