1. Hi Gemma! You were first mentioned on the Culture Vulture back in August when Mark Catley told us we should definately look out for you. Tell us a little bit about what you are up to at the moment.
I’m flat out getting my play Dial together just now, I truly haven’t got a spare minute – or penny for that matter! Writing, producing and acting in your own show is probably a little greedy, and it does mean that my ‘to do’ list has been as long as a marathon, for months. But hey, the rewards will be threefold, and I do get to work with some amazing people which makes it all worthwhile.
2. When Dial premiered at The Carriageworks in March this year it was a complete sell-out. How did that feel?
If I wasn’t an aspiring writer I’d use the word ‘awesome’! It really was a new level of buzz to be performing in the play whilst hearing people laughing at my lines – and the fact that the show sold out 3 weeks in advance was knockout – and totally unexpected. I always hoped that the call centre setting would strike a chord with a wide range of people, but I hadn’t anticipated that level of interest and support, it was ace.
3. What’s next for you?
Several years ago I was involved in some research and development work with Icabod Theatre Company based around Dick Turpin and the 2 years he was in hiding in Yorkshire before he was arrested. At the end of the R&D I wrote Dead Man’s Shoes, a play about the imagined relationship between John Palmer (Dick’s alias) and the woman in Brough to whom he left all his last personal effects upon being hanged at York. It was a long and gruelling writing process and I struggled through every minute of it. Writing a naturalistic, period piece was actually a lot more challenging than I’d imagined, and factually you have to be so careful. The play got a rehearsed reading about 3 years ago and now Mooted Theatre Company want to produce it. We’re planning a regional tour for Spring 2010 and I’ll be playing the antagonist in it too, which is really exciting.
4. Finally in the true spirit of pay-it-forward, is there anything or anyone that you think deserves a completely shameless plug?
The Dog Eared Collective – Their character comedy shows are truly hilarious. Also Plastic Fuzz, I saw one of their dudes with some keyboards and various other sound machines at Theatre in the Mill recently and it was tops. Red Eric Studios where I rehearse my plays is also an outfit worth checking out, great multi-functional space. Oh, and just to give it a second plug in the same interview – Dead Man’s Shoes, touring regionally in the Spring – now that really is completely shameless!
So what are you waiting for – you can catch Dial at the following venues during November:
24th November – Seven Arts, Leeds
26th November – Theatre in the Mill, Bradford
27th & 28th November – York Theatre Royal Studio