'About Chocolate', Edinburgh Fringe, Surgeons' Hall

First show tonight went well, with decent-sized, very appreciative audience and we suspect at least one reviewer. Irene was marvellous and her acting had them spellbound. I got choked up at one point, and I know the story inside out (having written it).

Edinburgh's buzzing. Way too many shows these days. You don't know where to start. When I came for the first time 5 years ago with a show at Pleasance Courtyard, it all seemed very different. Pleasance seems dominated by childrens' shows and stand-up this year. The Free Fringe (which concept I totally agree with) is having an effect, but that also tends to focus on stand-up. (Would be happy to do drama in it, but they have a limited amount of venues for plays and tend to insist on the full 3 week run - not that easy for non-students, with bills to pay and a need to keep earning a living.)

Our Surgeons' Hall venue is in its second year and has a great atmosphere. The venue itself is in a modern building, with 4 theatre spaces. Ours is theatre 3, capacity 40, but a super little space for an intimate play like 'About Chocolate'. Our two tech guys, Peter Meese and Paul Beswick, who've come with us, have also found it fine to work in and both have done an excellent job. Charles Pamment, who runs 'thespaceuk' venues, is good to deal with.

Surgeons' Hall adjoins the Royal College of Surgeons on Nicholson Street. Its courtyard is therefore flanked by some interesting, historic buildings - including one where the original bodysnatchers stashed away and disected their snatched bodies! This doesn't seem to have put people off their beer though and the courtyard is one of the best spots to chill out, with bar and cooked food available -without the crush and long queues to be served of the Pleasance Courtyard.

So here's hoping they'll all come and get the chocolate! 5 more nights to go.

You win some...

... Enjoyed working with actors to pitch 'The Black Prince' idea/play for LightNight at Stage@Leeds last Fri, but the prize went to a performance art piece. I still believe in my idea/play though.

My fantasy novel 'The Fixed Lands' was yet again the bridesmaid, being highly commended in the Red Telephone Publishers' competition, and the critique came through. Very useful and heartening that they found a lot right with it, but felt the things that were wrong would be 'fixable' - ironic as the novel in a way concludes there is no 'fixity'.

All busy with 'About Chocolate' for Edinburgh and other projects. We've lost a very good actress, Sal Fulcher, for 'Doublecross' as she's got a film part and been swept off her feet and to France. However, interest from others has already been good, so hopefully we'll get someone else suitable to play our 'closet call-girl'. (If anyone out there feels like donning black stockings and pink marigolds, get in touch with ActONE's director.)

Grassington Festival

Our Edinburgh preview was on at Grassington Festival last night and proved a great, useful pre-Fringe opportunity. And we did a damn sight better than Mr Gerrard and his team!

Irene was superb and we're all systems go for August!

('About Chocolate' 16-21 Aug, 4-5pm, Venue 53, The Space @ Surgeons Hall
Royal College of Surgeons, Nicholson St boxoffice.surgeons@thespaceuk.com £7/£5 www.thespaceuk.com http://sweetdreamsproductions.weebly.com)

The mystery of the missing blogs

Just busy, busy. Finished my play-writing class, which I thoroughly enjoyed, with my students to present script in hand performances of their work tomorrow night at York Uni.
'About Chocolate' is now registered for Edinburgh Fringe (presented by Sweet Dreams Productions, week 2, 16-21st Aug, 4-5pm, Theatre 3, Royal Surgeons Hall, The Space @ Surgeons Hall, off Nicholson Street,boxoffice.surgeons@thespaceuk.com tel 08455088515). I've been working intensely with talented actress, Irene Lofthouse, and Ray Brown, theatre pratitioner and broadcaster, who will direct it. Had to take some serious but constructive crit, and cut/change a lot. It hangs together much better for it now.
My visit to Waikato, New Zealand is fast approaching, so lots of prep. Sadly my mother-in-law died recently, so there have been family matters to concentrate on.
Last night we put the clocks forward and today it feels like spring at last!

New Year

Here's to a happy one...

Christmas was fine, but a bit too much a writing-free zone. Having cleared through my clothes and tidied the bedroom over the weekend, I am now about to tackle the paper Versuvius commmonly referred to as 'my study', in hope of getting it into order and identifying what I should be getting on with first.

Think Edinburgh venue sorted for week 2 (16-21st Aug 2010, 4-5pm). Just need an audience to turn up, so 'please come' may be my theme for next year.

So, in the immortal words of the annoying man in 'The Poseidon Adventure' who I think was thankfully drowned, 'Hap-py New Year!'