First read through for Dangerous Liaisons on Thursday evening. It was delightful to skip up the steps to our rehearsal rooms with absolutely no directorial responsibilities. No milk and biscuits to hastily procure from some inadequate corner shop.

Although at the same time, it was slightly disconcerting to be "in" something again. We worked out that the last show I did with this group must have been four years ago: Tom Stoppard's Arcadia in which I played the usual young flighty flippertygibbet.

I have done one or maybe two shows in the interim with another (good quality??) theatre group. Most recent stage outing was Audience, possibly by Michael Frayn although with that script, you wouldn't necessarily think it. And that was a terribly rehearsed and terrible show (to my mind). So the prospect of participating in a show of superior quality is tempting to say the least.

Mr Grimes showed us the set - which looks very smart. Told us about rehearsals. And then we were off. I enjoyed screeching "Liar" at the climax of the play very much. Small payback for many small injustices. I shall direct it at someone different every night.

It's very well cast I think. Alex of course will be excellent as the Marquise. You feel she was practically born to play this part. It will be lovely to be in something with Margaret again. We worked out that our last "joint" venture was our 50th anniversary production, Terry Pratchett's Maskerade, a terrible script but well executed given the circumstances. I'm delighted that Esther is cast as she's a lovely sweet and kind girl. Matt / Valmont I have to kiss so can't quite meet his eye at the moment. But all in all, it looks like we're in pretty good shape.

Rehearsals commence in earnest tonight. Plenty time yet for it all to go horribly wrong.