A Little About Alan
In the late 1980's, Alan was one of a band of 4 ex-hospital radio presenters to encourage the (then) Radio Authority to publicise a radio licence for Harlow - and who successfully applied for the licence. After building a studio and working with Essex Radio as a Director and Features Presenter on the Station, Ten17 started broadcasting to Harlow and East Herts in May 1993.
Alan was a housing professional throughout his working life, finishing as Director of Housing and Communities for Epping Forest DC, responsible for the Housing and Homelessness Service.
Alan started playwriting relatively late in life. Now retired from local government, his first serious play, “Sunny Side Up”, was informed by Alan’s former day job - where he was also responsible for the Council’s Housing Service.
His first short play, “Sunny Side Up”, about a woman temporarily housed in a B&B and drew from his housing experience It was selected by six theatre companies in London and the South East and has been aired on BBC Essex.
His second short play, "Crimson Eyes", a monologue - looking through the crimson eyes of Phoebe, a young woman living on the streets – was also successfully produced and performed by seven theatre companies, as well as being aired on BBC Essex. Alan has also developed the play for a new app, called Walking Plays, whereby users use their phone and headphones to listen to a play whilst walking along a specified route.
"Body & Soul", was completely different. An inspirational history teacher has a night out at a male adult dancing club paid for by her friends – and is surprised to meet one of her ex-pupils as a dancer. Using a school project to provide the characters with quotes of famous women, the story twists and turns to its unexpected conclusion. It was selected for production by three theatre companies and also aired on BBC Essex.
"Something Blue", is set on the day after a wedding, with unexpected twists between the three characters. Selected for a number of on-line performances, it also aired on BBC Essex.
He is currently writing a full-length musical, his first commercial venture.
Alan lives in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire with his wife, Jude
