Nov 10, 2016
Dermot Dolan was the winner of our winter writing competition with his short play, Window of Opportunity. Our judges loved it writing style and we’re looking forward to producing his play later this month…
In the meantime, we’ve asked Dermot some questions about his writing – have a read:
1) How long have you been writing for and what made you get into it?
I have been writing for over 12 years. I undertook an acting course at Morley college, which opened up my eyes to world of theatre and play writers. A playwriting class nurtured the passion. I have written Three full length plays which have been performed in London Fringe theatres. The most recent was ‘Calais’ (2016) Barons Court Theatre, which highlighted the plight of refugees.
2) What attracted you to writing for radio?
Radio lends itself to the imagination; there is an over worldly quality to it. The boundaries are limitless ; it can give the writer permission and freedom to experiment and be creative.
3) What writers do you admire and why?
Pinter. Economy of word, but loaded with subtext.
Shakespeare. For the opposite really. Richness of prose.
Berkoff. He falls somewhere in between.
4) Which actors voices do you like best?
Ones which have an edge, and rawness. Brian Cox and Kenneth Cranham come to mind
5) Do you have any tips or advice for other writers?
Forget the plot. Find an interesting situation/backdrop for characters and see what develops.
6) If you could cast your winning play with any actors in the world, dead or alive, who would you use?
How about Timothy Spall, Peter O’Toole and Prunella Scales?
7) Just for fun, what is your favourite Christmas film/book/play/story?
Bad Santa. Looking forward to Bad Santa 2!
Thanks Dermot! Good to get a little look inside your brain….
