And now we’re in lockdown…
A new phase and a new routine. Gone are the slightly awkward elbow bumps and uncertainties. Now we know what we should be doing and can get used to the new way of life – hoping it doesn’t go on for too long, recognising it will be longer than we want. I still haven’t written […]
Transgression rewarded
Last night I transgressed. I slipped out of my choir rehearsal half way through so I could get to most of the Get The Blessing/John Hegley gig at Watermill Jazz Club. All I can say in my defence is – it was worth it! As a jazz fan and a poet I could hardly resist […]
Highs and lows
Last weekend we had a family trip to see Matilda the Musical. Three generations of Roald Dahl fans enjoyed it hugely, not least the younger generation. One of the things that struck me, as one of the older members of the group, was the very contemporary relevance of some of the points Dahl was making. […]
Pointing the way
A month in and it still feels like a new year. Partly because of politics, although that also feels like the same old stuff. Partly because of pure busyness. Every January is the same. A few days of idleness followed by everything kicking off at once. So this feels like a good time to look […]
Dinner theatre returns
No sooner had I shared the latest about The Door than I had final confirmation of the next dinner theatre event. We staged a special dinner theatre evening based on Blessed Assurance back in October at Dorking’s White Horse hotel. The productions a joint effort between Damn Cheek Productions and the Greensand Band and the […]
The power of music
I watched a documentary last night on Dame Janet Baker. An hour and a half of memories, insights and emotion. I grew up listening to Janet Baker singing and remember the sense of pride in her as well as the admiration of her voice, her craft and her dedication. She was a Yorkshire lass and […]
A tale of two theatres
Two very different theatrical experiences over the weekend. In the first I knew what to expect, in the second less so. The first was a performance of my play, ‘The Door’ at the Keynes Library, Birkbeck’s School of Arts before a full, and enthusiastic, house. Naturally, I know the play intimately and also this production […]
Arts Alive – very much so
Just in case you’re wondering, the photo has nothing to do with today’s subject, other than timing. Taken while walking the dog the other day, it’s just a good reminder of the beauty around us which I seem to need at the moment. No prizes for guessing why. It’s also a reminder that beauty can […]
Teamwork
What does a writer do when he’s not writing? Marketing, obviously. Thinking. Procrastinating. Social media. But also, if he’s a playwright, he or she probably gets involved with a production company. In my case I was a founder director of Damn Cheek Productions around four years ago and this week we met to discuss the […]
More launches…
Another week and more launch events approach. Following the success of June’s event (pictured) I am holding a similar one on 17th July, also at the Community Buildings attached to St Johns church in North Holmwood, starting at 7.30. All welcome. It’s going to be a good crowd. I also have the London Launch on […]