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WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH. Q&A
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Playwright Frank Vickery has lived in the Rhondda Valley all his life. His new play, Barkin’, tours Wales this month.
Barkin’ is your first new play in over 3 years – how did it come about? Yes, Barkin’ is my first new play for some time. Writing sometimes can be a little like waiting for a bus, I can go a couple of years without producing anything and then I write two in the same year. It’s what happened with Barkin’. I wrote it and Granny Annie in the same year. It’s not easy for me to say where the idea for Barkin’ came from. I do remember writing Granny Annie and having the idea for Barkin´ at the same time and could hardly wait to finish the one before starting the other. Most of my plays only take ten or so days to write so I didn’t have to wait long. I say it takes ten days, but in fact it takes many months of thinking and preparation before I put pen to paper, or put my fingers anywhere near a keyboard. I have a reputation for writing roles for strong women, and I’m sure this was uppermost in my mind when I started to develop the idea for Barkin’.
How is it a development in your writing career? I have trod the road of Barkin’ before, but have never walked as far down. I have had several attempts at writing dark or blackish comedies. Breaking The String, Love Forty and Biting The Bullet, to name but a few. Barkin’ is somewhat different though in as much as the subject matter is darker, and therefore more difficult to extract the comedy. From a writing point of view that was one of the major chal- lenges of the piece. For me it’s a balancing act. I need, as a writer, to grow and in all different kinds of directions, but I also need to take my audiences with me, even if sometimes they don’t want to go. It’s almost impossible to be brave and secure at the same time; it’s all about little steps, and over the years I think I have taken little steps. But now, this time, for Barkin’ I’ve taken a significant step, and I’m hoping we can all enjoy the experience together.
Info:
www.barkin2010.com See p. 40 for preview. BUZZ 06
“Writing can be like
waiting for a bus. I can go a couple of
years without producing
anything and then I write two in the
same year.” John Bishop
St David’s Hall, Cardiff Fri 26 Nov Tickets: £20
Info: 029 2087 8444 /
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
Jimmy Carr – LIMITED AVAILABILITY Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Mon 6 Dec Tickets: £25
Info: 029 2063 6464 /
www.wmc.org.uk
Scissor Sisters
Cardiff International Arena Mon 6 Dec Tickets: £30
Info: 0844 847 1530 /
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Aled Jones
St David’s Hall, Cardiff Fri 10 Dec
Tickets: £24.50 Info: 029 2087 8444 /
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
Status Quo Fri 10 Dec
Cardiff International Arena Tickets: £34.50 Info: 0844 847 1530 /
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Bullet For My Valentine Sat 11 Dec
Cardiff International Arena Tickets: £22.50/£20 Info: 0844 847 1530 /
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Katie Melua Sun 12 Dec
Cardiff International Arena Tickets: £32.50 Info: 0844 847 1530 /
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Boyzone
Tue 22 + Wed 23 Feb 2011 Cardiff International Arena Tickets: £35.50 Info: 0844 847 1530 /
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
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