My Theatrical Journey (so far)…
I came to theatre naturally through the evolution of my poetry practice and my postgraduate studies in scriptwriting. Since my first formative attempts at creating work for the stage I have went on to amass an array of writing, performing, directing and dramaturgical credits. I have also collaborated with major theatrical institutions to create large-scale creative engagement projects, bringing art directly to deprived communities. My work is uniquely recognisable by its incorporation of vivid poetic language alongside naturalistic dialogue, unflinching social commentary, darkly comedic plots and juxtaposition of stark social realism alongside contemporary postmodernist elements.
My series of critically-acclaimed one-man spoken word theatre shows have toured nationally, appeared at international festivals and been mainstays of the Edinburgh Fringe. These shows combine cutting edge contemporary spoken word with theatrical delivery, direction and design. As one of the foremost voices of this emerging artform, I am proud to have popularised the format in Scotland and created the framework for others to follow. These shows include: Mischief Makar, Spam Valley (★★★★★ - North West End), Suffering from Scottishness (★★★★ - The Scotsman), Gigantic Lying Mouth (★★★★ – Edmonton Journal), The Man Who Loved Beer and Notes From a Quarter-Life Crisis.
As a playwright I have written and developed various pieces including Courier Culture, a theatrical short film produced by National Theatre of Scotland and BBC as part of the Scenes for Survival series; Gravity, shortlisted for the David MacLennan award; Rubberneckers, which was performed as part of the Tron 100 Festival at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow; Stephanie Says, which appeared as part of Outside Eyes night in the same venue; The Three Gospels of Jimmy Reid, developed as part of my residency as Breakthrough Writer at the National Theatre of Scotland and Closing Time, performed script-in-hand as part of Playwright Studio’s TalkFest.
I have also helped to fulfil other artists theatrical ambitions, collaborating with numerous talented writers and performers to facilitate their artistic vision. I have created text for award-winning contemporary dance company Barrowland Ballet, including inter-generational performance piece Wee Man, and tidy carnage’s devised theatrical cabaret REaD. As a director I have worked with artists such as powerhouse Glaswegian poet Victoria McNulty, bringing her books Confessionals to the stage and Exiles to film. As a dramaturg I have worked with the fantastic writer and Performer Annie George on her hit fringe show Home is Not the Place. And as a producer - under the Sonnet Youth banner - I produced the sparkling and energetic spoken word theatre show thick skin, elastic heart by Drew Taylor-Wilson.
Creative engagement in theatre is something I’m hugely passionate about. I have spearheaded many community based projects designed to break down barriers and engage audiences in the life changing possibility of the arts. These include The Bank of Springburn, a pop-up arts hub in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland. Occupying a disused bank within a neglected shopping centre, we created a vibrant community theatre space showcasing an array of visiting artists and events. I am also an artist facilitator for Caring Scotland, an oral history project documenting the lives and experiences of members of the care experienced community.
