I’m a new playwright. In 2o1o I went on a two-day writing course and started a monologue that was to grow into my first play – Bones.
With the help of some very special people, Bones was produced in Derby and then later at the Edinburgh Fringe where it received critical acclaim and five-star reviews. Following its Fringe run, Bones went on to tour 19 venues across the UK and was published by Playdead Press.
At the moment I am working on two new plays: Finding Nana, which is based on my relationship with my maternal grandmother and her battle with dementia, and Swimming, a play inspired by my recent move to the Isle of Wight and my job as a waitress in a beach bar. Both will be produced and performed this summer.
My short play You, Me and the Rest of Them was produced by New Perspectives in 2012 and performed in four venues across the East Midlands. I am hoping to develop this into a full length play later this year.
Thanks for having a look. Let me know what you think.
Just catching up with what you’re doing. I knew/know your parents- your dad since he moved to Ravensdale Avenue when he was 11!
Dorothy Upton, your grandma, I remember, was always ironing or making meals for Len and Robert. Always with a smile. And she still has.
My daughter, Alice, went to see Bones at Edinburgh last year and really enjoyed educating her friends,who had never been up a twitchell!
Shall contact The Guardian again about Bones. Now that Nottingham’s “mean streets” are on our screens in “Murder”, it’s obvious -the only way is Basford!
With my best wishes
Lyn Winstanley (formerly Arnold of no. 5 Ravensdale)
Ah, thanks for this Lyn. Sorry for the late reply. All I seem to get on here is spam so I don’t read the comments very often. Hope you’re all well and thanks for your support. I caught a bit of Murder but want to get it on catch up (probably missed it now). Best, Jane x
Jane,
I have only just heard about Bones. I am also from Nottingham (the former northern coalfields) and am an international crime fiction novelist who has a movie in production based on my character OSCAR PHELPS and who has been an expatriate for almost 20 years. I missed to a great extent the degeneration of my city. I missed the gunfire of Sneinton and St.Annes and the drugs and the prostitution and the filth and the racially motivated gang warfare. It seems you have encapsulated it within your opening production. Well done, though I am obviously sorry that the Nottingham and its people you depict have deteriorated so much. Such is life.
Enjoy your time in the spotlight why you can and enjoy the Mr. Whippy. (How I envy you that.) It appears from afar that you have capitalised upon a great bit of social commentary and that it has hit home hard. People always like to look at themeselves, look at Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Sillitoe) and Nottinghamshire people are a great source of material and we share most probably the worst accent on the planet. Still, I am not sorry that we do. Good luck with Bones and with future endeavours. I will get Oscar Phelps to friend Bones at Facebook. DBG
Hi David,
Thanks for this and good to hear from you. Exciting to hear about your film. Hope all goes well.
As for Bones, I never intended it to represent a whole city. Nottingham is still a beautiful place to live, rich with culture and a fantastic, supportive arts scene. Of course there are areas of deprivation and the city has hit the headlines a few times in recent years for the wrong reasons but it’s still a great city and a place I’m proud to call home.
And I’m pretty proud of my accent too
Best of luck and I will keep an eye out for Oscar Phelps.
Thanks again
Jane
Hi Jane
Many congratulations on ‘Bones’. Plan to see the play at the Tristan Bates theatre. Good luck with your next projects.
Sincerely
Roger Goldsmith
Thank you! Just checked out your website. Looks really interesting. And we are neighbours! I’m in the Isle of Wight at the moment. When will you be at Bones? I’m there Nov 2&3 so please come and say hi. Thanks again. Jane
Thank you! Checked out your website and all looks very interesting. And, we’re neighbours. I’m in the Isle of Wight at the moment. When are you planning to see Bones? I’ll be there Nov 2&3 so if you’re there, please say hi if you get chance. Thanks jane
Hi Jane
I did note the geographic connection. Think maybe Nov 2nd. Tristan Bates is a great space. Considering it for my play The Squeaky Clean next year if none of the London fringe theatres the play has been issued to take it on. Best wishes Roger
Hi Jane,
Have something on today so I saw the play last night at Tristan Bates. Enjoyed the dynamism and intensity of the play and the acting of Joe Doherty was brilliant.
The information hand out indicated that the play script was available to buy but the theatre dd not have any. How can I get hold of a copy please?
Hi Roger,
Sorry for such a slow reply! You can buy Bones from the publisher here: http://playdeadpress.bigcartel.com/
Thanks so much for going to see the play and for getting in touch.
Best wishes
Jane
Could you please “turn on” whatever it is in WordPress which would publish your blog posts by email? This is particularly useful for *cough, cough* intermittent bloggers. I like to read your stuff. Thanks
Thanks John. I’m not sure how to do it but know a couple of people who do get my posts by email so they must follow somehow. I’ll look into it.