It’s that time of the year, again! The Wales Drama Award time of year, that is. The winner of this year’s award will receive £10,000 and an opportunity to develop their script and work closely with both BBC Wales and National Theatre Wales, and we’re accepting submissions until 5pm on 29 July, 2016.
We caught up with Kelly Jones, winner of the last Wales Drama Award, and asked her to share good advice, bad advice, CB radio anecdotes (no, really) and much more…
BBC Writersroom: What one piece of advice would you give to anyone entering a writing competition?
Kelly Jones: Be bold and don't try guessing what the judges are after, just write the story that’s keeping you awake at night. I was also once told to make your opening scene really striking, open with a bang to really get the judges attention.
BBC WR: What was the last thing you saw at the theatre that made your heart beat a little faster?
KJ: I saw Iphigenia in Splott by Gary Owen at the NT. I saw the original production at the Sherman and it blew me away! It's refreshing to see such a strong female character and one with a voice that I recognise from the area I grew up in.
BBC WR: In terms of writing, what’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
KJ: I'm not sure about bad advice. I think all advice is useful, even if all you learn is not to listen to advice. I've read quite a few unhelpful books on Writing, but I shan't mention names. I remember when I was first starting out I went to a writers forum in Cardiff and we went round the circle and introduced ourselves. At the time I was still dabbling with performing so I said 'I'm Kelly, a Writer and performer'. There were quite a few shocked faces who expressed that they didn't think you could or should be both. Claiming this forum was strictly for Writers; not those hybrids who liked to perform and write, greedy!
But I learnt everything I knew about writing from performing and it didn't stop me. I think anything that informs what you do in a positive way has got to be worth it! We need to open ourselves up to other mediums and forms to keep things fresh.
BBC WR: Your play, 1.4 for Copy, is (in part) about CB radio. What would your CB handle be?
KJ: Without a doubt, 'Dagenham Doris'. My Dad's handle was 'BUDGIE' because he used to use his CB radio in a shed that backed onto an aviary in the garden. If one of the birds were ever sick he would bring them inside and place them on the CB power pack for warmth. My mum's handle was 'Devil Woman'- she's a massive Cliff Richard fan! I have taken her to see him in concert far too many times. Actually when my dad was chatting her up on CB he told her that he looked like Cliff, he did a little in his youth. He'll kill me for saying that. 31 years on from my dad's call out for ' A sexy lady breaker' he looks little less like Cliff but they are still happily married.
There are parts of the world where CB radio is still alive and kicking, imagine how many people have met and fell in love (like my parents) all because electromagnetic waves that pulse through the air between them. It’s quite romantic really.
BBC WR: What are you working on now? And what’s next?
KJ: Well, I got married recently so am just enjoying that at the moment. In terms of work, currently I’m writing a play for Oran Mor and Sherman Cymru; to be performed this autumn. I am also trying to secure funding and a production of my Wales Drama Award winning play, 'TAMMY'.
Big thanks to Kelly Jones! And you can find out more about the 2016 Wales Drama Award right now!
