Whilst allowing myself the little daydream of imagining I have won TPTT it occurred to me that the winner will possibly be joining a very select group.
Many authors will have had a play performed in the West End. Fewer authors will have had their first play transferred to the West End or had a subsequent play premiered there?
(If you are still following me)
So how many authors will have had their first play premiered in the West End?
I wonder how many authors would be on this list, and who they might have been? Could be a very interesting little club to belong to.
'All we see and seem is but a dream within a dream' Poe
James was a very successful Anglo-American novelist; but his first, and as far as I am aware, only play, opened in thw West End.
It was a flop; about the most famous theatrical disaster in history.
James was reportedly delighted when Oscar Wilde was dragged off to the chokey in 1895, because the successful playwright, Wilde, had been one of the harshest critics of "Guy Donville".
I'm sure there are examples of successful first plays which premiered in the West End, just can't think of any at the moment, Playfull
Had a very quick scoot through my volumes of selected plays.
Even people like W.Somerset Maugham and G.B. Shaw had their first plays put on by The English Stage Society, which tended to choose small theatres or put on plays without scenery in theatres hired for the day, on a Sunday, when of course most theatres were closed.
It seems to be much the same story with Harold Pinter and John Osborne, first plays all premiered outside the West End.
What a list to be one up on. I believe that Shakespeare fellow might have started in the provinces as well.
Whilst i realise winning TPTT would only give a first slippered foot on the lowest rung of a possible writing career, it would be nice to make a little history would it not Lewes?
'All we see and seem is but a dream within a dream' Poe
WE can only dream, playfull mate. Dreams can come true, It can happen to you... isn't that a song? Anyway; You're planning on attending the premiere, whoever wins?
Invitation for pre-theatre "tiffin" still stands.
It goes without saying that this invitation applies equally to all my friends on this forum.
I don't think the actual name of the West End theatre to be used was mentioned, though it has been a long time since i read the T&C's. I do remember thinking at the time they had not actually committed to a venue of any size or prestige before seeing the entries.
'All we see and seem is but a dream within a dream' Poe
It is a bit of a scary thought to be honest. Considering the reaction from the writing community to the competition – it does feel like whoever’s play is chosen is being put up on the highest platform to be shot down in flames… And boy could they reign some fire!
Perhaps knowing that the odds of being selected are so low - are more a ‘comfort’ now I’m thinking rationally about having entered. There’s rejection – and then there’s national humiliation…
No. Stop. Don’t listen to me. I will cease this chain of thought before I infect any likely winners!
I will personally be a loud voice of cheer from the North West I promise!
[QUOTE] Posted by LilMissLesley: Do you know something we don't Adman? [/QUOThttp://community.channel4.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&f=835603872&m=7230012113 A select clubE]
