Writing Plays

About the Writer: Writing Plays

"Stories and storytelling is one thing, imagination is another. With our minds we can go places; see things; touch and smell the world around us, and still find comfort in the story that is being told. Travel to sandy beaches and lush rainforests in Marooned, where secrets are hidden deep within the Earth, or go to a world where everything we know is on its head and survival is the only key to keep evil at bay."

Christopher's passion for drama led him to write his first one-act play for his local theatre group, Rainham Theatrical Society (RaTS), and whilst within the youth group an oppertunity to write, and direct, his own play came about. In 2012 the youth group took part, for the last time, in the Laraman Festivel which showcases a collection of one-act plays from well known writers to home grown writers within the group. Christopher still remains a member of the society, although now too old to be part of the youth group, and hopes that some of his other plays will one day be performed there.

Christopher's one-act 'Letters' tells the story of a young girl, sent away from Germany as the Second World War is underway, who is desperate to find out what has happend to her mother once the war is over. During her search she meets a guy called Mathaus and falls in love with him; both then work toghether in order to help her find her mother again. It is through the letters that are written between mother and daughter that show how love can hold them togehter while the world around them seems to crumble and break. Letters was first performed at the Oasthouse Theatre in Rainham, Kent, in March 2012 and won 'Best Orional Script' as part of the Laraman Festival.

Since its first production back in March 2012, 'Letters' has been adapted and updated in time for it to be published, an achivement in which Christopher says would be his best until he publishes his next piece.

After the success of his one-act 'Letters', Christopher decided that he was ready for his next challenge. He started on the idea of writing a full-length play; now success for one play does not mean that you are good as a playwright, that takes time, and the thought of writing a full-length (2hr) play can be quite daunting for a young writer. After careful thought, Christopher turned to the idea of writing murder mystery plays; this led him to write 'The Barstone Killer' and then on to 'Secrets' (which he still hasn't finished writing yet). Christopher has plans to write sequels for both Letters and The Barstone Killer while thinking of new plays, both one-act and full-length, to write.