Absence makes...

It has been a long time since I rambled here. I think you will understand why, when you consider what we have all been through since Steve was murdered. It has been a long and painful journey, but we have all taken a great deal of comfort from the excellence of the funeral. Here was a day that did what it should; it gave us the chance to celebrate his life and move ours forward, rather than mourn and look back.

If you look in The Plays section, you will notice that there is a new play listed. Mark of a Gentleman is a huge departure from my normal writing style. Here we are presented with a play for three actors (2m 1f) and most significantly, it doesn’t run over a single timeframe. My readers have said this is the most theatrical play I have written to date.

So why the departure? I have gained some kudos in the amateur theatre world, with awards for new writing and production credits. But they are amateur awards. I strive to enter the commercial market. Unfortunately in theatre today, money has to be the first consideration for any producing company. As such, it would be unwise for any company to produce a new writing play for more than four actors. None of my pervious plays fits this requirement. Agreed, there is Folio, but there is no commercial market for One Act Plays.

So, I want to enter the commercial market. That meant that I had to get out and see what is being produced in the way of new writing.

I’ve seen a lot that scares me and a lot that pleases me. What I describe as scary is theatre aimed at small sections of the theatre going public. They are deep, emotional and specifically targeted pieces of drama. There is nothing wrong with this, but for me, it is something I could not see myself writing.

The pleasurable stuff was seeing plays that are designed to be toured. They employ minimalist sets, so the cast and director can shove in the back of a Luton and take to the next theatre. A lot of this writing is comic – so obviously it appealed to me. And Mark of a Gentleman was born.

I intend to produce Mark of a Gentleman in the spring of 2004. For me, that’s too far away. I want to do something with it now (yes I know I’m impatient). I have started to wonder if I should start approaching agents again? Should I show them this manuscript so they can see how much I have grown as a playwright? I don’t know, but I’ll probably have an answer the next time I ramble.

And I’ll sign off with the good news. Denim is due to be produced in the Spring 2004 by the Collingwood Random Salad Company. This has two joys for me: First, it is to be directed by my very good friend, Peter Trott – who premiered the role of Jim in the original production of Prime Directive. Second, the Collingwood Random Salad Company is well respected in the arena of producing new writing. Indeed, they have been instrumental in producing two premieres of Stephen Briggs Discworld stage adaptations – so all you Terry Pratchett fans, take note.

And the next good news it that I have been contacted by a dramatic society at Oxford University. We are now in negotiations for a production of Prime Directive, again in Spring 2004. But making it far more fitting, it will be produced in the memory of Steve Hilder and we shall be raising money for his favourite charities.

I’ve gone on for long enough. I’ll do all in my power to makes sure there is not such a significant gap between rambles.