Foul Deeds

Nothing beats a good old family reunion play ( and if you haven't written at least one, you aren't really trying ), and Monday February 1st brings us a new one by David Conway.

"It’s the day of the funeral of Richard O’Hara’s father.  There is a wake, toasting and dancing but there are also hints of dark secrets from the past. This is a drama about the dysfunctional side of Irish family life, with all its prejudices and inhibitions".

7.30 at the North London Tavern.

WHY DID THEY WRITE IT LIKE THAT? THE WRITER AS PUZZLE-SETTER, THE ACTOR AS DETECTIVE

Monday 18th January brings us a talk by acclaimed acting teacher John Hartoch, who leads an evening exploring how actors interpret the clues in the writer's words. Somewhere between a talk and a workshop (A Talkshop?) the evening will play with the extremes to which creative brains can go when concentrating on possible subtexts, and how easy it is to make inaccurate assumptions about characters we find on the page. Writers will be invited to contribute an instant rewrite of the exposition of a famous text so by all means bring along writing materials. Open to all, but newcomers will be asked for an annual membership fee of £12.

John Hartoch was until 2015 Head of Acting Courses at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he began training actors in 1979. He has a successful record as a theatre director and has written a number of stage adaptations, notably Kipling's Jungle Book, (Samuel French) which he directed at the Adelphi more years ago than he cares to remember.

7.30 at the North London Tavern.

Competition Play-Off

Monday January 18th is the second Monday of the new year, which means it's time for another P-P tradition, the competition play-off. There are three competitions a year, and the top two from each go through.And just because you came second, doesn't mean you can't win. I recall the one year I won a competition, I came last in the play-off. And the one that won had come second. So it isn't just down the writing, the cast and the audience all play their part.

Anyway, it's a good night. In between the counting there will be the added bonus of some words of wisdom from Napoleon Ryan and Sherryll Turnera who both went to Hollywood a few years' back to seek fame and fortune. You'll recognise them from both the photo above and the tan.

Be there at 7.30.

No More Secrets

We kick off the new year on January 11 at 7.30 pm with a strong and highly political 45-minute radio drama from the ever reliable Phil Mison.

Kieran is a heart on sleeve socialist but finding no role for his traditional journalism in the modern era. He remains boyishly enthusiastic but now frustrated as government in the UK has swung dramatically to the right following nuclear conflict in the Middle East and a hardening of attitudes across Europe in defending their traditional values. Kieran's socialism is quite out of step with the 'New Order' as he and his family come under suspicion - seen as enemies of the people. They look to pre-empt things by seeking exit visas from the UK to survive outside the system.

Much of the play deals with an interview before a formidable figure in 'National Security' who also happens to be an old friend from Kieran's past.