It Happened Again

The Boy With The Pink Scarf

It's incredible how life sometimes unfolds in the most unexpected ways. After the whirlwind of emotions and doubts that accompanied my first win with Alphabetti Theatre's Response Programme, I found myself being offered the commission for a second, consecutive time. Is this real life?

Following the heavy doubts from my imposter mind from the month prior, and then the joy of relaxing into the possibility that it might have just been a good little play, my next submission was - for sure - simply a useful writing exercise.

The thing is, I really, really loved this one. The play was about the extinguishing of free expression - the tragedy of coming of age, of childhood, adolescence and loss. It was funny, poetic and sad.

I was writing in response to More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish by SoreSlap Theatre: a poignant, fluid play filled with movement, poetry, politics, solidarity and division. The exercise in itself, following the uplift of last month's win, was an important and spurring one. The value of this programme is clear to me. Win or don't. Just see more theatre, observe the world, and write.

So I did.

The decision weekend came and went. I didn't even give it a thought. And then... the unexpected Monday evening email.

I was told it had never happened before, and probably would not again, but that I had won the round twice in a row. The decision on my response, The Boy with the Pink Scarf, was a unanimous one. The script had been selected, and would be being produced in a couple of weeks time.

My eyes prickled with tears and, like a giddy teenager, I squeezed my husband into my excited body before calling my parents to share my joy.

Maybe there's something more to this journey after all.

You can catch the short production, here.