Spirits blended with real world

Clear Water is steeped in Trinidadian and Caribbean folklore, which according to Christopher works on many different levels.

Christopher, 33, moved to England a year-and-a-half ago and is currently in demand as writer, a profession he fell into while looking for something to do.

"It's a really hard and complex play which works at many different levels," he explains. .

"It's about a 21-year-old guy seeing spirits of the dead. Of course, being a nice middlre class boy he does not want to give any credence to the idea of spirits.

"The story is based on folklore, African spirit stories, Caribbean stories and the real world."

Christopher originally trained as an accountant but while waiting for exam results he discovered his true vocation.

"I came to England in the 1980s to study accounting, and while I had a two month wait for my exam results I was looking for something to do, so I started writing.

"Then someone asked me to help out with writing a play, and eventually more and more stuff came my way. I thought this was not a bad way of making a living and took it from there."

And there has been no looking back.

"I have had four or five plays staged in Trinidad which have won a few awards so I must be doing something right. I moved over here about 18 months ago and the first play I put on was Independence Days at the Oval House, and they asked me to be their writer in residence."

So where did the idea for Clear Water come from?

"It was an idea from another playwright who said, 'Why not do a play based on Trinidadian folklore?' It wasn't easy because Trinidadian folklore has its roots in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The European stuff was really easy to find as was the Caribbean. But the African folklore stuff was really hard to find."

And this is one of the things Christopher is hoping his play will highlight.

"It is amazing how one culture can be preserved and is easily accessible while another is virtually unknown."

Despite the seemingly serious nature of the play Christopher admits that as a writer his first job is to entertain.

"I am hooked on entertaining people, that is why people go to the theatre. But I do need a structure, I can't write a comedy for comedy's sake.

"When I go to the theatre I like something which mixes the intellectual and emotional and makes me think in a new light.

"Hopefully I have achieved something like that with this play. It may seem complex but I can assure people they will understand it at least on one level."

After his stint at the Barbican Christopher is off to the National Theatre. I should have started there a month ago but if I am honest I'm not really looking forward to it.

"I like to work alone - for me writing is a solitary business. When I am up at the National I will be working alongside lots of other writers."

q Clear Water opens at The Pit at the Barbican on August 23. For details ring the box office on 020 7638 8891.

STAGE NOTES

On September 19 Wimbledon Theatre will be celebrating its 90th birthday with an open day.

The theatre is looking for people who remember the venue in its early days - did your parents or grandparents pass on any stories about the theatre?

If so then contact Robin Cooper on 020 8542 2041.

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Congratulations to the Teddington Theatre Company which recently celebrated the first anniversary of the Hampton Hill Play House.

The theatre was completed last year after a million pound lottery grant and has been going from strength to strength. With productions ranging from heavy drama to light musical, average attendance is now 80 percent of seats.

Even more encouraging is the growing membership, the number of full (performing/back-

stage/technical) members has increased by 25 percent and audience membership has doubled.

If you are interested in becoming a member then ring 020 8287 2663.

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Everybody's favourite puppet Sooty and his new sidekick Richard Cadell will be bringing magic and mayhem to the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, next week.

On Saturday, August 19, Sooty's Magic Factory will be awash with trickery and illusion as the little bear tries to keep up with orders flooding into his factory.

Inevitably Sweep, Soo and Little Cousin Scampi get caught up in the adventures.

Sooty's Magic Factory promises to be a treat for younger theatre goers and to book ring 01737 765547.

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Tickets are now on sale for evergreen comedian Ken Dodd, who is coming to the Fairfield at the end of September.

The King of the Diddymen is currently on a mission - to play every theatre in the country, and he still sells out wherever he goes armed with his trademark tickling stick.

"My tickling stick is very precious to me, it has been re-fluffed more times than I care to remember but it still tickles in all the right places," said Ken.

For more details on his show or to book tickets ring the box office on 020 8688 9291.

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The Charles Cryer Theatre's new season will open with Ibsen's classic A Doll's House.

The play caused huge controversy when it opened in London because it depicted a woman finding her independence at the expense of her family. George Bernard Shaw was among its most notable defenders.

Miranda Smith, who plays leading lady Nora, says: "The play's all about oppression of women within a stifling environment. Things may have changed, but not completely. This is a powerful reminder we must all take responsibility for our own future."

It opens on September 12 and to book ring 020 8770 4950.

Classics in Woking

Some of the best actors, operas, ballet company's and plays are all heading for the New Victoria Theatre for its autumn season.

From Don Giovanni to Jeffrey Bernard, and from HMS Pinafore to Hamlet the theatre has something for everyone.

And the season kicks off with the classic play by JB Priestly, An Inspector Calls, which - according to the theatre - has won more awards than any other play in history and has a top cast.

Rula Lenska, Paul Shelley and Bernard Kay top the bill the National Theatre's production of this classic thriller.

When Inspector Goole calls unexpectedly on the prosperous Birling family his revelations not only shatter the foundations of their lives but force them to face facts they would rather ignore.

Straight from D'Oyly Carte's most successful run at the Savoy Theatre, HMS Pinafore sails into Woking. This nautical tale of romance and mistaken identities contains some of Gilbert and Sullivan's best loved songs including When I Was A Lad, I am The Captain Of The Pinafore and He Is An Englishman.

Maintaining the musical note, later this year Glyndbourne Touring Opera will be bringing three masterpieces to the venue: Mozart's Don Giovanni, La per by Birtwistle.

Other highlights include Tom Conti inKeith Waterhouse's acclaimed Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre with Hamlet and Twelfth Night, and Felicity Kendall and Frances De La Tour in Noel Coward's Fallen Angels.

q For more details on the new season or to book tickets ring the box office on 01483 761144.