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 […]
The Door in Guildford
I’m delighted that Damn Cheek are coming to Guildford with my original and longest running play. The Door will be on at the Yvonne Arnaud’s Mill Studio for one night only on Friday, February 7th at 8pm. Tickets are £17.50, inclusive of restoration levy and booking fee and are available on 01483 440000 or online […]
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 […]
Undersong
Immersive experiences We were treated to a rare immersive experience recently, beneath the dome of St Marks Church, Kennington. 50 of us sat in a group, within a circle as 10 singers sang round us, over us, among us. They sang together, individually, with each other and at each other. They sang while sitting, standing, […]