This is the twelfth edition of the monthly newsletter from Short Attention Span Theatre. It features news about our shows, opportunities for writers and creatives that we've seen, plus plugs for other shows and anything else of interest. If you have anything appropriate you'd like us to include for future drop us a line at info@shortattentionspantheatre.co.uk. 

At the top are some illustrations by Kayleigh McCallum of Johanna Harper, Derek Banner, Grant McDonald and director Eve Nicol in a rehearsal of Elissa Soave's play The Interview. Below are Johanna Harper and Grant McDonald in rehearsals and Derek Banner, Euan Cuthbertson and Sarah C Meikle on stage at the Old Hairdressers in Carl Pickard's play Frank's Wild Years.

Thanks to everyone who came along to see our shows at the Old Hairdressers and the Gilded Balloon Basement Theatre in November. We were once again sold out in Glasgow and had a good turn out in Edinburgh. Thanks to our writers Derek Banner, Liam Bruce, Cicely Gill, Daisy Jo Lucas, Carl Pickard and Elissa Soave. Thanks to our directors Eve Nicol, Stewart Schiller and Karen Barclay. Thanks to our dramaturgs Daniel Gee Husson, Sanna McGregor and Erin-Louise McGee. Thanks to our actors Johanna Harper, Julia Jack, Hazel Ann Crawford, Sarah C Meikle, Euan Cuthbertson, Derek Banner, Grant McDonald and Mick Cullen.

Some audience comments are below.

"A great night, thought provoking, funny."
"Brilliant work. Very worthwhile attending. Will be back."
"A great idea to present these capsule plays. Innovative and entertaining."
"Didn’t know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by the quality of all the performances and topics covered so well in short performances."

There's news about December's shows later in the newsletter.

We went along to Waterstone's for Chris McQueer's launch of his new collection of short stories HWFG. He performed some stories, including the new fan favourite 'Brexit', and was interviewed by Stuart Cosgorve. We also attended his writing workshop. The two hours focused on plotting, how to structure a story and how to make the characters interesting and rounded. Chris is an enthusiastic and considerate teacher, and it's refreshing to see a relativley new writer eagerly share what he's learned with others. Get along if and when he does another session.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, which we keep calling The Bank Robbery That Goes Wrong, because it's made by the team that brought us the wildly successful The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, is exactly what it says it is, a comedy about a bank robbery. In the first act the gears can be heard grinding as the characters are established by a series of elaborate puns and sight gags, but all that awkwardness pays off in an hysterical and oddly moving second act. 

Glasgow Uni run Creative Conversations on a Monday afternoon in their chapel. We went along to see Liam McIlvaney discuss his latest novel. It's a lovely location for a talk such as this. There's still two more on in December, and they're all free.

Graeme Macrae Burnett was at Dumbarton Library for Scottish Book Week and we went along to listen to him recount his journey from painter and decorator to best selling author.

They'll Get You Now That You're Gone by Kenny Burnham is a delicate and fascinating new play of ideas about modern architecture, it's impact on the people the buildings are designed for and the struggles of the architects at a time when public support for the demolition of 'concrete monstrosities' is high. 

Last night (Fri 30th Nov) Tandem Writing Collective were at Dram with readings from five new plays. It was an enjoyable night, as all the plays and performances were of a high standard. A nice touch was the musical act Marianne and Aaron McGregor who started off each half. Look out for them at The Tron in February.

 

An Introduction to the Art of Stage Directing
by Len Silver

 

This tiny pamphlet punches well above its weight and contains a quick snapshot of everything a director needs to think about before taking on a theatrical production. It starts by inquiring into what makes art work and moves on to action, conflict, events, working with actors, applying an active analysis to a text, planning and definitions. It's aim is to give aspiring professional artists a theoretical foundation for the art of stage directing that can be used practically in rehearsals. "No amount of discussion with the actors will reveal what can be discovered about the action through active analysis. On their feet, the actors will attempt to build the interactive reality of the actions. The director's part in this is often hands on: questioning, prodding, suggesting, experimenting: ever mindful of the artistic standards and truths that are valid for all genres and styles". 

Here you'll find what some of the writers of our previous shows have been doing and what they have coming up in the next month or so.

Chris McQueer - Chris's new short story collection HWFG is available from all good bookshops and publishers 404 Ink.

Fraser Campbell - Fraser has a new Kickstarter running for another Alex Automatic comic project. It's already over 200% funded. Have a look and get in on some of the fun stretch goals that are coming.

Elaine Malcolmson - Elaine's Glasgow International Comedy Festival show for 2019 is now on sale. You can also watch her right now on the BBC Northern Ireland show The Blame Game on the iPlayer.

Julie McDowall - Julie's nuclear war podcast Atomic Hobo is now up to 29 episodes. You can download it on iTunes.

Tom Brogan - Issue 10 of Nutmeg Magazine includes Tom's feature on Davie Cooper's early days in football at Clydebank FC. Tom spoke to a number of people who were close to Davie at the time to tell the story. It's out in the middle of December and you can subscribe at the website.