#49 - Back In The Saddle
Hello folks,
Here's some exciting news for you - I finished a play this weekend!
Well.
Sort of.
It hasn't exactly happened yet. However! It is going to happen and needs to happen since I'm already a week late so my writing this is for you to hold me to account.
It feels a bit weird coming to an end of a draft of a play and I realised the reason for that is because it's been two years since I've written a first draft for a new play. That is nuts. But wait! It gets better! I will have finished the first draft of another play by the end of March. Can you believe it? Definitely going to happen and you are welcome to shout at me if it doesn't.
Have I really neglected theatre so much? I guess telly (and a bit of film and radio and short story) has been distracting me from it for a while now and dominated most of 2019 in particular. That said, I have still been picking away at plays from time to time and I'm excited for both these new ones since they're a sea change in both subject and approach for me. Probably the biggest shift in my playwriting practice since I first started. Might fall flat on my face with both but God it feels fun to be this playful. Hopefully you'll see at least one on in 2021, along with An Adventure up in Bolton so maybe that'll be my big theatre year.
I've actually (accidentally) taken a break from seeing theatre for the most part but I'm thrilled I managed to catch lovely Sam Steiner's You Stupid Darkness! at the Southwark Playhouse. The apocalypse has never been so warm to sit with for a couple of hours. An exquisite study of kindness in the face of unrelenting horror, with some detailed and brave performances from the actors. Got me right in the feels and a top-notch soundtrack to boot.
THE NOISE
Still off Twitter. Still not missing it hugely. Will probably hop back on it for the sake of Gallifrey One next week (next week!). I'd like to think that it's less to do with Twitter being a hellsite and more with me enjoying...my...life? I know, I know, steady on mate, it's on February. Maybe the arrival of a niece has created some perspective and anchored me more firmly for now in the real world. I met my sister up for a drink last night before she went to Vault Festival with her friends (that's right, my sister whose job does not compel her to watch theatre saw something at Vault this year before me) and she told me how my cousin and grandmother have spent a lot of time gladly looking after little baby Lakshmi. Even made me want to spend more time at home. Marvellous thing eh, babies?
KITTY KORNER
So the big news is that Chill Cat has made a new friend, or possibly enemy...it's hard to tell with cats. This frenemy is a fluffy gal (I think) with a loud mouth and a nervous disposition. She seems to follow Chill about and when she comes to my office window and miaows, Chill is there like a shot and they exchange some miaows, as well as the occasional hiss. Perhaps they're just working out the truth of their relationship. Will it be throbbing hearts or throbbing heads for Chill Cat and (from Adrian Hon's suggestion) Thrill Cat? Stay tuned, friends...
That's all from me. Sorry it's a little short. Need to use my words for the play. Which is totally getting finished this weekend. Right? Right.
Vin x
If you're new to Patelograms and like what you've read, you can subscribe by clicking here.
If you're an old hand, thanks as ever for taking the time.
Here's some exciting news for you - I finished a play this weekend!
Well.
Sort of.
It hasn't exactly happened yet. However! It is going to happen and needs to happen since I'm already a week late so my writing this is for you to hold me to account.
It feels a bit weird coming to an end of a draft of a play and I realised the reason for that is because it's been two years since I've written a first draft for a new play. That is nuts. But wait! It gets better! I will have finished the first draft of another play by the end of March. Can you believe it? Definitely going to happen and you are welcome to shout at me if it doesn't.
Have I really neglected theatre so much? I guess telly (and a bit of film and radio and short story) has been distracting me from it for a while now and dominated most of 2019 in particular. That said, I have still been picking away at plays from time to time and I'm excited for both these new ones since they're a sea change in both subject and approach for me. Probably the biggest shift in my playwriting practice since I first started. Might fall flat on my face with both but God it feels fun to be this playful. Hopefully you'll see at least one on in 2021, along with An Adventure up in Bolton so maybe that'll be my big theatre year.
I've actually (accidentally) taken a break from seeing theatre for the most part but I'm thrilled I managed to catch lovely Sam Steiner's You Stupid Darkness! at the Southwark Playhouse. The apocalypse has never been so warm to sit with for a couple of hours. An exquisite study of kindness in the face of unrelenting horror, with some detailed and brave performances from the actors. Got me right in the feels and a top-notch soundtrack to boot.
THE NOISE
Still off Twitter. Still not missing it hugely. Will probably hop back on it for the sake of Gallifrey One next week (next week!). I'd like to think that it's less to do with Twitter being a hellsite and more with me enjoying...my...life? I know, I know, steady on mate, it's on February. Maybe the arrival of a niece has created some perspective and anchored me more firmly for now in the real world. I met my sister up for a drink last night before she went to Vault Festival with her friends (that's right, my sister whose job does not compel her to watch theatre saw something at Vault this year before me) and she told me how my cousin and grandmother have spent a lot of time gladly looking after little baby Lakshmi. Even made me want to spend more time at home. Marvellous thing eh, babies?
KITTY KORNER
So the big news is that Chill Cat has made a new friend, or possibly enemy...it's hard to tell with cats. This frenemy is a fluffy gal (I think) with a loud mouth and a nervous disposition. She seems to follow Chill about and when she comes to my office window and miaows, Chill is there like a shot and they exchange some miaows, as well as the occasional hiss. Perhaps they're just working out the truth of their relationship. Will it be throbbing hearts or throbbing heads for Chill Cat and (from Adrian Hon's suggestion) Thrill Cat? Stay tuned, friends...
That's all from me. Sorry it's a little short. Need to use my words for the play. Which is totally getting finished this weekend. Right? Right.
Vin x
If you're new to Patelograms and like what you've read, you can subscribe by clicking here.
If you're an old hand, thanks as ever for taking the time.
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