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As
my first interviewee, Brendan Quinn, the writer of Modern Ambergris,
was a little nervous. So was I. I even didn't know how to start
our talk surrounded by the crazy noise of the road drills outside
the window. That is the kind of modern living noise you have to
accept. However, it gradually became easier when he talked about
his writing life. He loves love, light, peace, and of course, theatre.
Theatre
Background
Yes, I have been performing in amateur theatre since the age of
8. I have been involved in many, many shows since then, mostly with
Tameside Youth Drama Group, which is where I met the rest of my
cast. I have a degree from Leeds University with a minor in drama,
film and television and have acted at the Edinburgh Fringe. I spent
two years as a performer at the Granada Studios Tours (where I worked
on the Sooty Show).
Present
job
I work as a bookseller in a bookshop in Manchester.
Why
did you start writing plays?
Because I liked it. I started out writing comedy sketches with my
(then) best friend Richard Burns at 13 (mostly ripped-off Monty
Python) and at age 16 I was inspired to write a one-act play for
a competition as well as to help my English Language A-level (I
was required to submit one piece of creative writing). Since then
I have written two more one-act plays as well as a two-act musical
(produced in 2000) and sundry other playlets, sketches and so on.
Is
it your first play?
This is my fifth play actually, as well as the musical in 2000.
How
did you find 247?
I saw it in City Life.
What
is the play about?
It is a collection of sketches and monologues with the unifying
theme of modern life. Culled from a variety of sources and discussions
within the group, it focuses on particular attitudes and archetypes
which have given us cause for thought.
What
inspired you to write this play?
Desperation. From first hearing about 24:7 (in City Life) I found
I had very little time to decide what the show would be and write
the necessary amount for submission. It therefore contains many
bits 'n' bobs written over the years, selected for their common
link as well as a lot of new stuff.
Related
to your life?
There is a part of the show in which I am alone simply talking to
the audience about me and what I am.
Who
is your writing model?
I do not have any particular model in mind when I write. However,
if I were to name my influences, they would include: John Cleese
& Graham Chapman (for inspiring me in the first place); Peter
Cook and Douglas Adams (for showing that you can be intelligent
and silly at the same time); Bill Hicks (for showing that you can
be angry and principled and still be funny); Luigi Pirandello and
Tom Stoppard (for showing that you make people think and f*** with
their minds and still be entertaining); Dennis Potter (for showing
how effectively you can use your own thoughts and feelings by simply
being honest); David Renwick (for showing me the importance of planning
in making a piece fall into place perfectly) ...and many, many more
but I probably should stop now.
Did
you find writing empowering?
Not really, but then I do not like power.
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What
do you want to do now?
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24:7
- Daisy Wang talks to Brendan Quinn
Powerhouse
-Watch again
