Tell us a bit about your play
Almost The Birthday Party started off as a bit of ‘free writing’, a continuous writing technique writers use to clear the mind and get ‘in the zone’. Once I could hear the voices of Kenny and Vern their story simply unravelled as I scribbled away on the page.
Kenny and Vern are woken in the night and asked to recount the events of a rather bizarre
evening. What follows is a convoluted tangent as they digress to thoughts of their deceased cat Clement, the Vicar who came to be stuck in their basement, the new friend Pat’s hat and a cheesecake. The couple’s memories of the evening in question and their fast-paced banter adds a chilling warmth to this absurd dark comedy.
What is your day job?
By day I am a Producer, working in television. Current as Creative Producer for The Jewellery Channel which mean I get to fly around the world to exciting places like Arizona, Thailand, India and China making films about shiny things.
What you do love about writing?
I love the escape. I love that I can create a world that hadn’t previously existed and choose who inhabits it and how their paths unfold. I suppose I love the mix of control, the ability to use artistic license and of course the sense of satisfaction when I figure out how it’s going to end.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
Re-writing! They say ‘writing is re-writing’… and I’m very much a fan of moving on to the next thing once I’ve completed a first draft. Yep – I hate the second draft!
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a new musical project in Las Vegas with some very exciting names attached. A workshop and short run is planned for next year. I am about to start working on a project as a visiting playwright at the Chelsea Theatre in January. And just to make sure I definitely don’t get bored I’m currently studying an MA, Writing for Screen & Stage at Regents University.
How do you relax?
In my spare time, I love getting out for a long walk with my husband, two sons and our two miniature dachshunds Jeffrey and Andrew – a long walk on Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill is just the thing. The odd glass of red wine helps too!
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
Well I’m going to go all arty now and say that I don’t find my ideas…they find me, and I do believe that to be the case. I’m very much inspired by people and everyday life in a sort of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett kind of way. I find little idiosyncrasies fascinating and love people watching. I don’t carry a notebook and spy on people… but I have been known to
follow people around the supermarket and eavesdrop where possible.
What music are you listening to right now?
RuPaul because “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag”… loving his last two albums
actually. In contrast I often ‘get my Northern on’ when I’m writing by listening to the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. I’ve been in London 12 years now but a brass band takes me back ‘oop norf’ in seconds.
What are you reading?
I’m currently making my way through ‘Verbatim Verbatim: Techniques in Contemporary Documentary Theatre’ for another play that I’m working on. And for something a bit lighter I have just discovered Lindsey Kelk. Now I’m not usually one for chic-lit, but on a recent trip to Cyprus I found ‘I Heart LA’ lying round the pool side and decided to read the first page… I was hooked! So ‘I Heart New York’ is next on my list.
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Excited!! It’s always such a lovely feeling to see your work take the giant leap from page to stage. Working with incredible actors and seeing them bring Kenny and Vern and their world to life is what it’s all about. Theatre is my first love and I’m delighted to be part of this fabulous new platform and can’t wait for opening night.
Almost The Birthday Party started off as a bit of ‘free writing’, a continuous writing technique writers use to clear the mind and get ‘in the zone’. Once I could hear the voices of Kenny and Vern their story simply unravelled as I scribbled away on the page.
Kenny and Vern are woken in the night and asked to recount the events of a rather bizarre
evening. What follows is a convoluted tangent as they digress to thoughts of their deceased cat Clement, the Vicar who came to be stuck in their basement, the new friend Pat’s hat and a cheesecake. The couple’s memories of the evening in question and their fast-paced banter adds a chilling warmth to this absurd dark comedy.
What is your day job?
By day I am a Producer, working in television. Current as Creative Producer for The Jewellery Channel which mean I get to fly around the world to exciting places like Arizona, Thailand, India and China making films about shiny things.
What you do love about writing?
I love the escape. I love that I can create a world that hadn’t previously existed and choose who inhabits it and how their paths unfold. I suppose I love the mix of control, the ability to use artistic license and of course the sense of satisfaction when I figure out how it’s going to end.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
Re-writing! They say ‘writing is re-writing’… and I’m very much a fan of moving on to the next thing once I’ve completed a first draft. Yep – I hate the second draft!
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a new musical project in Las Vegas with some very exciting names attached. A workshop and short run is planned for next year. I am about to start working on a project as a visiting playwright at the Chelsea Theatre in January. And just to make sure I definitely don’t get bored I’m currently studying an MA, Writing for Screen & Stage at Regents University.
How do you relax?
In my spare time, I love getting out for a long walk with my husband, two sons and our two miniature dachshunds Jeffrey and Andrew – a long walk on Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill is just the thing. The odd glass of red wine helps too!
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
Well I’m going to go all arty now and say that I don’t find my ideas…they find me, and I do believe that to be the case. I’m very much inspired by people and everyday life in a sort of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett kind of way. I find little idiosyncrasies fascinating and love people watching. I don’t carry a notebook and spy on people… but I have been known to
follow people around the supermarket and eavesdrop where possible.
What music are you listening to right now?
RuPaul because “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag”… loving his last two albums
actually. In contrast I often ‘get my Northern on’ when I’m writing by listening to the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. I’ve been in London 12 years now but a brass band takes me back ‘oop norf’ in seconds.
What are you reading?
I’m currently making my way through ‘Verbatim Verbatim: Techniques in Contemporary Documentary Theatre’ for another play that I’m working on. And for something a bit lighter I have just discovered Lindsey Kelk. Now I’m not usually one for chic-lit, but on a recent trip to Cyprus I found ‘I Heart LA’ lying round the pool side and decided to read the first page… I was hooked! So ‘I Heart New York’ is next on my list.
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Excited!! It’s always such a lovely feeling to see your work take the giant leap from page to stage. Working with incredible actors and seeing them bring Kenny and Vern and their world to life is what it’s all about. Theatre is my first love and I’m delighted to be part of this fabulous new platform and can’t wait for opening night.