James Shakeshaft, a graduate from the Arden School of Theatre, produced his first play for 24:7. He came to chat with me and brought Alex, one of the actors in his play. They are young, talented, and funny guys. You never know what idea will spark in their mind next.

Do you have a theatre background?
James: All of us in the company graduated from the Arden School of Theatre last year in July. We performed the play originally as part of the course, now we are producing it again for 24:7.

How did you hear about 24:7?
James: We found out through Amanda (Hennessy - co-founder of 24:7). She was working at the Royal Exchange when Ryan, who is the third company member, was working there too. We needed a platform for people to see and talk about our play. As soon as we found out about 24:7 we jumped at the opportunity. Amanda told Ryan, and we followed it up at every stage to get our play into the festival.

What is your present job?
James: I've just finished touring the north in The Shadow Box, but have no other job yet. I love writing plays and would like that to be my permanent job. I am in the very early stages as a professional writer at the moment.

Alex: I'm currently working on a children's television show for the BBC, but have a day job in a bar as well.

Why did you start writing plays?
It's cheaper, as you don't have to pay the writer if you write it yourself. It makes financial sense. And also it's rewarding to do your own work. So I like that.

Is it your first play?
James: Yes, this is my first play.

What inspired you to write this play?
James: Me and my friends used to make short films in our school holidays. Ours was a really small town and there wasn't much else to do, really. We'd been working on this film and someone was wearing a clown mask. I liked the image and developed the play around that.

What do you play?
Alex: I play the character Lance. He's living in the flat that he's trying to sell.

What is the play about?
Alex: Basically, the play opens with the image of the clown. It develops with the relationship between Lance, the clown and another person who comes to view the flat. The character, John, come into his life. It is all about the truth of it. What seems to be an absurd situation - a man living with a clown, which on the surface seems unreal, but in truth is very real. Then you see how these three characters interact. And they all have their secrets. Ideally, they come across as real people.

Are there any points in this play which relate to your own experience?
James: I suppose if someone is odd, I'll do everything I can not to show that I have noticed it. I would not mention it. When you write, you try to think like the character, and how you would speak. But apart from that, I'm not drawing on experience - not yet.

Alex: But I suppose what you are drawing on is not necessarily like a person in your life or an actual event that happens to you.

Do you find writing plays empowering?
James: Yes, it is fun thinking someone will pay to sit and watch what you've written. Yes, it is empowering.

Are any of your family members related to the arts and theatre?
James: I have two half sisters. One is an actress, the other has an MA in English, so I think they did influence me a bit.

Alex: I don't really have any artistic family members. I started performing just because people reward you for playing. My parents said I would work in Macdonalds for the rest of my life. But if you want to do it, then do it.

What will be your next project?
James: We're currently making a pilot of sketches for television.

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