Like a happy ending (Scottish Society of Playwrights, 1981)
My first published work, this was adapted from my first attempt at
a novel. I wrote the novel when I was about twenty, so of course it
was full of all the things that 20-year-olds know about -- love, hate,
angst, the meaning of life and, naturally, a suicide attempt in the
penultimate chapter. On the advice of an actor friend, I turned it
into a play. It was first performed by Plymouth Theatre Company in
1978 to mixed reviews -- one reviewer memorably said, "This reduces
passion to the level of sucking gobstoppers." So who's got the
last laugh now?
It was published by the Scottish Society of Playwrights, with a cover
by Kari Furre, and since it probably sold no more than a dozen copies
in doubtless incredibly valuable now.
Like a Happy Ending
I adapted it for radio and it was produced for BBC Radio Scotland by
Stewart Conn, reaturing Maev Alexander, Fidelis Morgan, Amanda Hillwood,
Vivienne Dixon and Vari Sylvester. 90mins.
Clean Break (1998)
I adapted Clean Break for BBC Radio Four from the Kate Brannigan
novel of the same name. Brannigan gets involved in a madcap chase
across Europe as she tries to unravel a series of art thefts. High
points include Richard's rendition of 'The Lonely Goatherd'... Featuring
Charlotte Coleman as Kate and Kathryn Hunt as Shelley/Alexis. But
we only had an hour's transmission time to work with, so I only adapted
one half of the book, leaving the way open for...
The Right Chemistry
A second hour-long adaptation of the other half of Clean Break (the
novel). At first, Kate thinks she's investigating a simple case of industrial
sabotage. But nothing here is quite what it seems... Featuring Jane
Hazelgrove as Kate and Kathryn Hunt reprising her roles as Shelley AND
Alexis, thanks to the wonders of radio. Both Brannigans were directed
by Melanie Harris.
