Interview With Adrian Davis Writer Of The Slide Musical (1/3) By Michelle Dee Photos By Paul Wright

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Where did the idea of the story come from, when did you start writing it, how long, and what considerations did you make during the writing process? I came up with the idea of writing a musical in 2000. I scribbled out a few notes relating to various stories. Having listened to my well used Carry on up the Charts album I began to take notes with a view to writing a show which then took me on to the bands other albums. The Beautiful South's music is so lyrically strong that I would recommend anyone on a rainy afternoon (or a sunny one for that fact) to pull out their Beautiful South album and go through the printed lyrics within the CD cover.

Some of the songs you may have to read a 1,000 times just to get the concept of the lyrics!! Overall the songs just jumped out at me that it could be used in another genre such as a play. I have been performing for local theatre for a number of years and I had seen three good mates perform in various shows and it was watching them that gave me the idea to write a story that utilised their different personalities and talents on stage. All of whom are in their 30's which gave me an idea about them as three mature students who go to university.

Initially the writing was a bit of fun tapping away on the computer in between fatherhood and work commitments and gradually I began to research anecdotal material on the internet and by talking to friends. For three years I lived next door to a pub (Five Bells Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire) within there were a number of sources of inspiration and characters to choose from, it was an extended living room from my home. I didn't give the show much thought until January 2005 when I started to seriously structure the storyline.

What made you base the story around University students? The age of the characters, I presume, fits into the timescale of the band. (I heard my first TBS song at age twelve which would make me the same age as one of those mature students you refer to) I am 38 years of age and my three mates mentioned above are of similar age and I could envisage what they could play certain character parts for example my friend James Canning I am told is a good looking guy who could portray the arrogant doesn't give a toss sort of guy; hey presto I found my womaniser. Song for Whoever inspired the development of his character.

I wanted a geek and an alcoholic whose character would fit in with many of the lyrics. The geek is called Patrick and who is based on someone I worked with in Slough many years ago, Mark Newton had played Gerald in Me and My Girl so I knew Mark could do a good characterisation of a stereotypical nerd. The added bonus that was Mark posses a very long neck and bulging eyes which is perfect for the stage.

Continued .... Next Page (2/3)

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Paul Wright 2007

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