One of the most nerve-wracking experiences for a new director must be to discover the playwright of his first production is going to be coming to see it. And it is even more worrying if she is now extremely famous.

Popular author Fay Weldon was at the Brockley Jack Theatre, Brockley two weeks ago to help shape a production of her 15-year-old work, I Love My Love one of the few plays she has written.

The playwright watched a private performance then spent some time discussing it with the cast.

Director Jesse Witcombe, 29, said Ms Weldon seemed impressed with the way they had staged the play and didn't really want to change much except the odd problem with some of the lines. One change was made to suggest greater motivation for two of the characters and another to the final scene.

He said: "She added about 10 lines at the end. It wasn't a big adjustment. She fleshed that scene out a bit to make it more interesting and possibly suggest there was going to be another life change.

"I was slightly nervous, obviously, but I had a feeling she wouldn't remember it the play that well because she had written it so long ago. I thought she must be wondering why anybody would want to revive this quite obscure piece."

He said he was delighted she had come to see the production and had been helpful with the interpretation of some of the characters.

This is the first play produced by theatre company Casting Lights, which Witcombe helped form last February.

The play is a well-observed and witty comedy about two women who take part in a life-swap competition one to the city and one to the country. The intense, jewel-like dialogue drives the play relentlessly into the most unexpected of outcomes.

Audiences can see Weldon's improved version until Saturday.

Until Dec 22, I Love My Love, Brockley Jack Theatre, Brockley Road, Brockley, Wed-Sat 8pm, £4-£8, 020 8291 1206.

December 10, 2001 20:05

Joan Gardner