Writer and creator of The London Literary Pub Crawl.com. and a few plays. BohemianBritain.com. Event and Theatre Producer. Done quite a bit on the wireless too!
Wow! What a brilliant WORLD PREMIERE of the London Edinburgh Literary Pub Crawl last night.
We had a few technical difficulties- our venue is not really a venue but a space next to a bar – but we soon sorted that. From the first drink for a Scottish 18 year old’s birthday (bought by her Mom) to Australians, Americans and Italians, as happens in London, new friends were made and it becomes a good natured party. Although I had to cut the Oxford Bar due to time and distance. Maybe in future we’ll do an Old Town AND New Town Tour! Ya godda LOVE #Edinburgh! @edfringe @thepleasance
The world premiere of the London Edinburgh literary pub crawl is 3pm today. It’s the fringiest fringe thing I’ve ever done. I was still writing it last night, I’m playing with the script today, and I have no idea if we will get it in under the specified one hour time slot. Frankly, I doubt it, but I hope that won’t be a problem. It’s a little bit crazy that I’m doing everything. No cast, no rehearsals, no production support, just me and packs of flyers and posters. The year after I officially became a pensioner! Back to basics. Hey ho! It’s a funny old world!
In spite of the London traffic and my growing anxiety, I managed to get to Kings Cross station half an hour before the train left. Phew! But then, even having arrived in time, there was difficulty. I paid £1 to get a luggage trolley for my vast and heavy load of print, promotional items and merchandise. (Yep, you can buy my book, a mug or a notebook! More later!)
So I paid for the trolley, loaded the bags and it went about 6 feet then locked up! I paid another pound for a second trolley – and the same thing happened. Trollymagedon! I noticed it was happening to others too. How? I’m amazed it didn’t make the news! Kings Cross owes me two quid!
Although, to quote Will, ’there is some soul of goodness in things evil!’ Because, forced to drag the loads sans trolley, I actually worked out a way of doing it. Although won’t bore you with that detail here….
So I made the train on time and a mighty relief it was too. But why? I had pre-booked a seat but if I’d missed it I think there would be other trains to Edinburgh. Eh? I didn’t even have to arrive for technical rehearsals like in previous years. Why do we pressure ourselves so much?
My luggage has taken up most of the train compartment, and I’m on my second red wine (it’s free!) And I’m sure it’s good for my literary Pub Crawl training! As you can see by the beer mats, last night my partner set too with a red sharpie adapting our London offerings. The real ones will arrive next week. Here’s how they should look!
I do a bit of work on the script. Nope… it’s nowhere near finished!
I’m going to try and keep a daily account of the fringe this year. I’m not even sure why – but there might be some vague use for others producing a show.
It started with little sleep. To the Raven in Hammersmith last night to say goodbye by to the Pongy Professor, the Facsist French Cook and a few other people that are pub buddies and the reason that pubs are more important than drinking.
I don’t drink much, but it’s always a big thing coming to Edinburgh. I’ve got so much stuff to take, flyers, posters, merchandise (more about that later) and I know I’m on a timetable to get a train at 12:30 pm so sleep is hard. I get 5 hours.
I’ve so much stuff to take I’ve decided not to get the tube but to get a cab to Kings Cross. I’ve dialled Uber but I know though I have an hour before the train I’m probably gonna get stuck in traffic on the Marleybone flyover which I do. And is where I’m writing this now. 50 minutes till my train!
I’m reminded why I don’t drive in London. Will I make it?
After a fairly tense morning, I’m finally on my way to the Edinburgh fringe.
My luggage has taken up most of the train compartment, but I’m on my second red wine (it’s free!) And I’m sure it’s good for my literary Pub Crawl training.
As you can see by the beer mats, last night my partner set too with a red sharpie adapting our London offerings. The real ones will arrive next week.
I’m going to start a little daily blog on here for the Fringe I think. Might be of use to some.
As there’s no set this year and in an attempt to be kind to the planet, I thought I’d take the train to Edinburgh, rather than catch a plane or drive.
I may have underestimated how difficult it would be to get this lot to Edinburgh though! 2.000 flyers, scripts, mugs, books and posters do weigheth a ton!
Sooooo….. has anyone got room for a box in their Festival-bound car or van this week?
Heating up to Edinburgh’24, this popped up on my photo feed.
There’s a chance we’re showing the Edinburgh performance film of ‘Winston and David’ by Robert Lloyd George in November. Watch this space… and if you haven’t, why not sign up to our email list.
Nick Hennegan looks forward to performing at the World’s biggest open arts festival in Edinburgh on Resonance 104.4fm and BohemianBritain.com. There’s music and speech from some new shows and some classics, including The Choir of Man and Guy Masterson.
Nick is performing every day at 3pm (not 15th) at the Pleasance Dome – Venue 23. With the First London Edinburgh Fringe Literary Pub Crawl! For Details, Please see HERE. And say Hi to Nick if you have a show on or want to share some audio with him. There will be regular updates and videos here.
We’ve not been very good at newsletters so far this year. It’s taken a while to replace our former free email supplier. But mainly it’s because I’m a bit rubbish!
But hello! Here we are! And thank you so much for being on our mailing list – especially on this, Maverick’s THIRTIETH Year. (If you’re not on our list, please fill out the contact box on this site. Ta!)
Yep, it’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since our acclaimed first production of Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’ in the Billesley Pub, Birmingham, with Denise Gilfoyle and Ian Brooker as our stars. I loved directing them.
Since then, many of ‘our Maverick people’ have gone on to do great things in the arts. So we MUST celebrate it and we’re looking to find a Birmingham venue (The Billesley’s Big Room is not available… and I don’t think we’ll fit in The Round Room.) The Hippodrome or Birmingham Rep are possibilities – but please let me know if you’ve any other ideas or suggestions.
In London, we shall probably support Sarah and Simon at The Tabard Theatre in Chiswick. Or maybe have a party in Soho. Or both! And don’t worry if you’re not around on the dates (tbc)… we’re going to stream some of the events.
But before that, in a couple of weeks I’m off to the world’s biggest open arts festival. The Edinburgh Fringe!
It’s slightly ironic that the first play I ever wrote in 1992 – ‘Henry V – Lion of England’ after a try out at the brilliant Midland Arts Centre in Birmingham was picked up by comedian Jasper Carrot’s management and taken to the fringe. I was going to perform it myself, but a mate, Rob Stanson, from Hall Green Little Theatre helped me with a read though and was obviously going to be better than me. It went round the world and (fortunately) had critical and audience success. So we’re doing it again in the spring of next year to celebrate our birthday.
But I shall finally perform in Edinburgh! To celebrate the success of our London Literary Pub Crawl, I’m taking a version of it to the other city I really love after Birmingham and London – Edinburgh.
There are so many stories about writers in this UNESCO City of Literature. And the lovely Scottish author Sir Ian Rankin (creator of Rebus… and others) has kindly helped me out. So if you can make Edinburgh in August, please join me for a drink. Because of Fringe constraints it should only last an hour. Although that depends on you! And we’re inviting new writers who might want to showcase their work to come along too. Get in touch. So it should be fun. And it’s pubs! And although alcohol is not compulsory, having a few drinks is! (I’m still thinking of taking my guitar and doing a few songs. Whaddyathink?)
In the autumn we are launching our next on-line People’s Company project – a 15 minute radio play podcast called George Holmes and the Seven Dimensions.
It’s an audio version of a story and then screenplay I wrote. Warner Bros are apparently interested, but I can’t wait for them! There are about 15 characters of all ages – the lead character George is a boy – and although we’re having in-person meetings/readings and rehearsals for this first episode in London, if you’d like to be involved in it remotely you can.
And finally (phew!) we’ve re-released my ‘steam of consciousness’ book ‘How To Make A Crisis Out Of A Drama’ to try and raise funds for our new digital projects.
It’s mainly about getting my play ‘A Ghost of A Chance’ to production in Birmingham. There’s a superstar Director (John Adams) an acclaimed soap star, the talented Paul Henry (Benny from Crossroads) and a small boy, the lovely Justyn Luke Towler. Will we find the finance? Will we get the show on? Do I drink too much? We may know the answer to at least one of those questions in advance, but buy the book and find out!.
I’ve also got a messy little Blog with theatre videos, interviews, my radio shows and other stuff at Bohemian Britain. Click below and have a look!
See you in Edinburgh?
Love (and manly hugs!)
Nick.
x
Nick Hennegan
Artistic Director
nick @ mavericktheatre.co.uk
Click for more details of Bohemian Britain.com
The Maverick Theatre Company Falcon House, Suit 3, First Floor Front, 141-143 King Street, London W6 9JG
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