quote:

On the subject of writing (which this writing forum hardly ever is) ... would anyone like to do what this site has been set up to do: talk about writing?

Also, Neil, I hope everyone here will understand that your schedule means you can't have been here as often as most (!) but I will defend myself, but mainly my friends here, and say that this Forum has extensive threads where we have 'discussed writing'.

Also, with respect, it wasn't set up to enable us to discuss writing, it was set up primarily to discuss TPTT!

There are, as I'm sure you're aware, many other sites devoted TOTALLY to discussion of writing; this one is a bit different!

Swann, the answers(briefly, and off the top of my head):

1. Robert Lepage, Patrick Marber, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett, Martin McDonagh, Sarah Kane (I've only read her), Wilson's version of Woyzeck (so different it counts as a new play, I think), Caryl Churchill and a few I've doubtless forgotten for the moment have all given me great nights out in the last ten years.

2. Quite a few. If you want to talk about some, we can.

3. Yup.

4. I don't know the Riot Group's work. Shared Experience (no 's') have long been right up there. More interesting than the new work produced by the writers above? Don't think so (not that that's any disgrace).

quote:

Originally posted by PhilStein:
Of course, Mrs R. Most people can't get to see as much theatre as they'd like to: economics, family and geography can all conspire against it. I just wanted to give the thread a little convulsive therapy to get it to stop gossiping about who won and how, and to use the space for what it's for: conversations like these. I think you're right that writers don't have to spend their every waking moment in the theatre in order to be good playwrights, but I would question the motives of someone who NEVER goes (we had quite a few of those on TPTT). And, yes again, the failure rate of new writing is quite high, which makes a visit to a new play a risky proposition. But that audience is your audience, remember, so we should all try to take the risk from time to time, if only out of self-interest!

Oh certainly, I would never say that a writer would benefit from never seeing a piece of theatre ever. I also didn't mean to imply that I never go to see new writing - I do. I'm always hoping for something great to appear before me, but I've just not been inspired by much that I've seen. Much the same as my experience watching "On The Third Day". But if TPTT runs again next year I'll watch the winning play again - like you said, out of self interest if nothing else.

Out of interest - what was your opinion on the final product?

Terry Johnson. I forgot Terry Johnson.

AdMan, you may be right about the raison d'etre of this forum, but whatever it's for, the previous kvetching about Kate's job description, and who'd had how much experience,and who was conspiring against who, was making my eyes bleed. Glad it seems to have stopped. Haven't read the Rossiter biog, and can't remember the joke. Sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by PhilStein:
Swann, the answers(briefly, and off the top of my head):

1. Robert Lepage, Patrick Marber, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett, Martin McDonagh, Sarah Kane (I've only read her), Wilson's version of Woyzeck (so different it counts as a new play, I think), Caryl Churchill and a few I've doubtless forgotten for the moment have all given me great nights out in the last ten years.

2. Quite a few. If you want to talk about some, we can.

3. Yup.

4. I don't know the Riot Group's work. Shared Experience (no 's') have long been right up there. More interesting than the new work produced by the writers above? Don't think so (not that that's any disgrace).

This demonstrates an interesting ongoing difficulty with the forum - it's kind of hard to turn those answers into a discussion.

Maybe we have to find a play we have both seen.

I don't know if you've seen either of the bloodbaths at the Globe this season but they are both very good and the guy playing Coriolanus just burns up the stage.

In discussing really good new writing - I have to mention the Jerry Springer Opera. That blew me away when I first saw it in Edinburgh and I think it really was a step forward in modern theatre.

There was a new play recently about 9/11 and twins set in a Manhattan apartment. Did anyone see that? It had intriguing reviews . . .

quote:

Originally posted by PhilStein:
Terry Johnson. I forgot Terry Johnson.
.

I did love Hitchcock Blonde sooo much - I thought the set was a work of art. Having lived in NY and seen a lot of plays there, I have to say that London set designers continue to astound me with their gifts.

But that's the only one of his I have seen. Any recommendations?

re:TJ. 'Insignificance' is wonderful. Marilyn Monroe stumbles into the hotel room of Albert Einstein. (Now THERE's a MM play).

Incidentally, since some of you were talking about it, there WAS a MM musical. It was called 'Marilyn', it played London about 15 years ago, it was deeply awful, and it died on its arse.

I have to go. If anyone wants to ask anything, open up a folder for stuff addressed to me, and I'll do what I can, when I can.

Isn't this nicer than fishwiving about conspiracies? I think so....

Who wants to start the new conspiracy thread on whether that was really Neil Pearson?



(sorry, couldn't resist!)

I just hope he hadn't read all the things I wrote about him in my previous posts.


Oh, wait, I guess I don't have to worry. I said them directly to PhilStein!

(awkward giggling)

quote:

AdMan ... Haven't read the Rossiter biog, and can't remember the joke. Sorry.

Curious - he called me Adman (my previous handle) not TheAdMan! Possibly an oversight, but ... if anyone is interested I can certainly answer the question - and it's not one I'd forget!

Me, I'm off to another thread. CYA.

"Phil, let me give you a little advice. If you want the privilege of having my (or anyone else's) time in a conversation, you should be respectful of them." Swann1719, June 22nd

"That guy Neil Pearson said nothing remotely interesting during the entire show. Did you notice they had to voice over a few of his comments to make it appear that he did not come across as a drooling moron and an officious prat? Unfortunately, it didn't work." Swann1719 June 14th

Discuss.

Phil, you missed one on 20 June. See, we should all keep open minds.


Posted 20-06-06 00:00

Playfull, FYI - love Neil Pearson now! I think he had such insightful things to say in the last two episodes! He's craka lackin in my book"

Phil,

Credit due to the Swan, she was big enough to change her mind re Niel and if you have read any of her previous posts you will know that she is steeped in and has a great love of the theatre, and constantly raves about the English theatre in particular.

PS how many times a day do people say to you "I am such a big fan of DTDD" (no offence adman)

quote:

PS how many times a day do people say to you "I am such a big fan of DTDD" (no offence adman)

No offence whatsoever Playfull.

A one trick pony deserves all the credit it gets for the single clear round.

quote:

I can't remember the joke. Sorry.

No, I'm the one who's sorry Neil, can I just come back to you on this?

I know you don't ask the Almighty for his id, and you must surely get this all the time and have a very busy life - but I've just checked the book, and you quoted the incident with some humour in the Ashtar Alkirsan documentary "The Unforgettable Leonard Rossiter" (2000).

Go on, please, please dig deep into the memory banks and tell the tale for my friends here - I know they'd love it, and it DOES give an insight into the actors' psyche - which I'm sure would be invaluable to all of us here!

Adman, am i the 'one trick pony' or is Niel?

I posted the question to him because i just stopped myself from posting "I am such a big Fan of........." Then realised that you had already said it, hence the "no offence"

Playfull

I'm sure that I'm going to be lambasted here for going off-thread (ie not following Mr 's advice and talking writing) but I was, of course, referring to Mr P as a one-trick pony. I would never refer to a friend in a such a manner!

If one were asked you to name several works by (for instance) Burton, Hopkins, Mills, Gielgud, Finney, Guinness Olivier or Brannagh, I suspect that you'd come up with the goods.

Depending upon your selection of genre, for Mr Pearson there's be one of three answers.

'Drop The Dead Donkey' (which I personally think was brilliant, and a superb ensemble cast, and brilliantly written, so not really a starring vehicle)

or

'Between The Lines' (which I personally thought summed up everything which was cliched in a cop drama - and I'm an ex-cop)

or

'Who?'.

Unless we discuss his role in Chemsford 123?!

quote:

No, I'm the one who's sorry Neil, can I just come back to you on this?

I know you don't ask the Almighty for his id, and you must surely get this all the time and have a very busy life - but I've just checked the book, and you quoted the incident with some humour in the Ashtar Alkirsan documentary "The Unforgettable Leonard Rossiter" (2000).

Go on, please, please dig deep into the memory banks and tell the tale for my friends here - I know they'd love it, and it DOES give an insight into the actors' psyche - which I'm sure would be invaluable to all of us here!

I see you sticking your nose in Mr Pearson - please amuse us with this! I'm sure it would be even better 'from the horses mouth'!

quote:

Originally posted by AuroraLionheart:
Ahhhh, playfull! I think I love you.

Wow! just spotted this AAurora! You have talent, looks and Taste!

Obviously Neil - who keep sticking his nose in - is busy.

Bless!

quote:

Curious - he called me Adman (my previous handle) not TheAdMan!

No worries... If you review the threads, I always address you as AdMan... Read a few for the first time and you're going to assume that you are refered to as AdMan, not TheAdman.

And for the record, I'm not embarassed about the penguin thing. I come here for discussion and having a laugh. And as I pointed out many months ago, the line comes from writing comic routines including pantos with a mate of mine... Whenever he asks how I came up with a gag (verging on NVAJD - See Forum Silliness) I reply...

And by the way, I know that I come over as bitter and twisted. The intention was not that way.

But I do have serious concerns on what TPTT has done for the future of new writing (and it would appear that it is shared by a few professionals).

The one thing that I have gained from TPTT, is that I am more determined to secure a professional production. I can sit back and stroke my ego, but a lot of people have watched the show that have seen or read my work and are now encouraging me to push harder at getting one.

I will not pretend to be happy. I am more than aware that some of my comments make me look paranoid. But as it's World Cup time 'at the end of the day' I don't really care. I really care about the quality of my works and finding a definate route to pro status.

quote:

Jay, Adman, boys, boys, settle down. You have to get over the idea that TTPT entries from experienced playwrights are superior to the entrys from people who are not. An idea for a play and a knack for writing it was what they were looking for and what the production team got.

Sorry.

I'm on a rant here.

When have I ever complained about experienced playwrights getting preferential treatment over a novice?

Of course their work will be superior!

My complaint was either by the editing process or by the selection process, a winner was 'in mind' from the outset. Having reviewed my video of the first epidsode, SF stated that she was disapointed in Mel and Neil as they couldn't see that one play was superior than the others.

And as the series progressed, we only witnessed the same soundbite from the said play. Whereas the other writers had different parts of dialogue displayed.

Please correct me if you dissagree with something I have said that you disagree with. But do not accuse me of saying something that I have not said - let alone believe!

And finally... Neil on the forum? I would dearly like to think so - but having been a member of Writers.Net for some time now it is far to easy to suggest that someone is here that isn't. I've watched people sucked into stupid arguements thinking that they're impressing a big agent or publisher.

We may bicker from time to time, but we share a passion for theatre, new writing and a desire to get new people into our theatres.

can we can this 'Adman and Jayplays s0ur gr4pes' motif once and for all? I'm getting bored with that allegation!

Can we just wrap this up with some facts?

Fact. The selection process was flawed or deliberately biased. If not, how could MM have made it to the final 30? If not, how could all the plays in the final 30 have been so dramatically 'disappointing' to Sonia? If not, how come Iain Weatherby's play was torn up?

Fact. TPTT TVS has spun the writers. Otherwise, why stress Kate Betts' two O levels and not mention the rest of her (what appear to be) quite extensive experiences and qualifications?

Fact. The producer and the director have had far, far more creative involvement in this than was proper, right or normal, and this doesn't give the public a fair idea of how a new play should be written, submitted or developed. In that, the programme does playwriting a severe injustice but breaks its original remit and the programme to which we all submitted.

Fact. The writers were treated unnaturally, and in at least one case appallingly. Regardless of what Robert Delamere thought of anybody's play, he stepped way beyond the boundaries of theatre in tearing it up and 'improvising' the submission for the 10 to 3 level.

Fact. The play is not a great play, to say the least. The dialogue we've heard on TPTT TVS is pedestrian; the three reviews we've had from people we know (writers on this Forum) are all negative, and are all in harmony with each other; despite more tv coverage than any new play has ever in history had bookings remain disappointing.

These are the facts, folks, and whilst a kind, supportive, polite and patient willingness to overlook them might be very PC, it's wrong.