Thinking About It!!

I'm never too sure what to put on the pages of a blog about a show - how much to tell and whether it will be giving away some of the ideas. But they are forming and getting together. I know that it'll be a combo of stand up, drama, theatrical stylings and maybe a bit of a rant.

Also that I'm coming down quite heavily on the "leave the smokers alone" angle - still being one. Not sponsored by BAT or the pro smoking lobby by the way. I just think that the guilt we are now forced to feel is....... and there I go giving away a bit of material so stopping right there!!

I also know I'll be looking at the cancer, the treatment, the attitudes, the determination and some of the wonderful people who helped me through it. And the big myth about being in remission!!

Also on the cards, scribbled backs of envelopes, odd notepads and occasionally computers are a beginning (always useful) and an end. The middle will include bits about my yoof, smoking rooms, smoking carriages, cigarette testing holidays, smoking as a religion, the new politics of smoking and the biggie "Why are roll-ups nicer than tailor mades?" - Oh no - that wasn't it the biggie was DEATH and how we don't know how to prepare or handle it. That sounds like a right old bundle of laughs that last line!!

Got tons of stuff that I have to tune down, sift through and roll up in a cigarette paper and smoke down to one hour and make presentable, theatrical, funny, lively, challenging and entertaining. Now if I can just work out the dance at the beginning it will all be..........

The Smoking Show

Okay. So for some time I've had this idea about doing a show about my cigarettes, life and matters arising - this being pretty serious illness and all manner of other stuff.

And now it's starting to happen and be put into place. Have dates - June 24th - 26th at TheatreFest in Barnstaple in Devon - where it seems half the Gloucestershire theatre contingent are going to be appearing - which is good!

But that means I now have to get to the nub of "What's it all about, Alfie?" and how much is about attitudes to smoking, how much about me - haven't really done an autobiographical show before - and how much is just about life!! Watch this space to see what develops.