"Pole to Pole" - an excerpt from my latest play - was presented as part of Actor Awareness's "Working Class" night at the Old Courts, Wigan on 17th February 2022.

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SYNOPSIS:

Joe returns to his Northern home after a number of months studying in London. He meets his best friend, Sam, at the station – but it quickly becomes apparent that the two have grown rapidly in different directions. 
 
As they clash over social issues (including racism, local communities and divisive old acquaintances), the pair (as well as Sam’s partner, Emma) try desperately to keep things civil, and to rekindle that friendship they have both missed so much. 
 
When Sam suggests Joe puts his open-mindedness to the test by attending a right wing march, Joe is left with an near-impossible choice to make. 
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Pole to Pole was shown in front of an industry panel made up of Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street), Catt Belcher (Bolton Octagon) and Joe Gilmour (Royal Exchange), and was described as:

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"A bold and clear approach to a tricky subject matter. The piece shows real promise in tackling the complexities of less progressive views in some marginalised communities"

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Rehearsal images of Pole to Pole 2021. Pictures by Ainhoa Barrio.

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NEWSREVUE/COMEDY WORK:

I am a regular sketch writer for NewsRevue at the Canal Café Theatre, and have been involved directly with four iterations of the show since 2019. In August 2021 I wrote extensively for a fifth, ★★★★★ run of the show, this time in the additional role of Director.

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My work on NewsRevue has also led directly onto my being commissioned to develop Scrooge & Company; a devised, farcical version of the Dickens classic;  A Christmas Carol.   

 

The show opened at the Canal Café Theatre in December 2020, and received ★★★★ reviews, being described as a two-person knockabout farce, with pratfalls and slapstick a-plenty ... and enough energy to light up London (London Pub Theatres Magazine). 

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Built to work within the confines of Covid restrictions, Scrooge & Company was a two-man comedy show where one man plays Scrooge, and one man plays everyone else - and despite having to close early due to Covid-19 restrictions, those who did see it experienced a "thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment." - London Pub Theatres Magazine.

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FURTHER WORK:

I am concurrently developing a new musical with Elizabeth Godber, as well as working on my own play Two Steps from Hell, which R&D-ed at the Dance Attic in November 2020.

 

The play focuses on Lad, a 16 y/o who, after the loss of his guardian, finds himself unable to access foster care, and is instead forced into substandard social housing.

 

The play has support from the Children's Society, and is an examination of the iniquity of opportunity based on geography, and attempts to dismantle the Thatcherite belief that hard work means we can achieve anything. 

 

Two Steps... and Scrooge & Company were developed under the banner of NoriTheatre, a company established by myself and director Becky Harrison in 2020 to showcase work we complete as a creative team. You can find out more about NoriTheatre by following us on social media:

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ADVERTISING/SHOWREELS:

During 2021/22 I have been working with IN+ Productions on a web/advertising campaign for "Red Arrow". This has involved the original concept development, product communication and script writing. As the company moves further towards relaunch, this work continues into 2022. 

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I am also a freelance writer of bespoke showreel scripts, please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like a reasonably priced script for your upcoming reel. 

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