Bare Fiction Issue 2 launch

I’m delighted/fortunate to have had a short play (“The Naked Major” – spot the subtle Goya reference) published in issue 2 of Bare Fiction Magazine, and went along to the celebratory Cardiff launch at Gwdihw café-bar.

The evening kicked off with a couple of open-mic poetry slots: from Sion Owen (pensive, Welsh-themed), and Simon King (slyly humorous). Rhian Elizabeth then read a startling extract from her Valleys-set book “Six Pounds Eight Ounces”, before issue 2 contributors Bethany Rivers and Carly Holmes provided vivid examples from their oeuvres. This was followed by Rachel Tresize giving us a story from her excellent “Cosmic Latte” collection, after which Bethany W. Pope regaled us with a selection of colourful pieces.

The second half began with another open-mic segment, John Davies giving a lively reading from his hospital-themed novella, and experienced performance poet Mark Blayney effortlessly maintaining the comic mood. Susie Wilde then offered up a selection of prose and poetry, followed by London-based May-Lan Tan reading from her acclaimed debut collection “Things To Make And Break”. Adam Horowitz then treated us to an actorly reading of his largely rural-themed verse; Tania Hershman read her issue 2 piece “Missing My Liar”, and an amusing story about biochemists at a party; and host/editor Robert Harper wrapped things up with great geniality.

An enjoyable night, with the venue’s questionable acoustics made up for by the quality of the bottled cider on offer. 

"Telly Hunnies"

Flash fiction, available to read on Readwave. May contain nudity.

"Parallel Lines" / "The Incident"

My latest theatre visit, on behalf of the British Theatre Guide, was to see Katherine Chandler’s “Parallel Lines” at Chapter, the script of which won the 2012 Wales Drama Award (indeed, the press night coincided with the announcement that she’d received a runners-up award for another play from the judges of the Bruntwood Prize). An impressively angry, funny and poignant piece, about young people being severely let down by their elders.

In an attempt at flash fiction, I wrote an 800 word short story entitled “The Incident”, and posted it on the Readwave website, just to see if anybody would read and comment on it. So far, so good.