A University of Winchester Creative Writing student was on hand to save the day when an amateur company found itself without a scriptwriter for its Christmas show.
Alex Emms has penned a panto version of classic children’s tale Peter Pan for the Nix Academy who will be performing the show next month at Egham Literary Institute.
The 22-year-old ‘wrote to the rescue’ at very short notice when the original writer had to pull out with the start of rehearsals looming.
Alex explains the roundabout way in which he came to be commissioned: “One of the mums of one of the children who plays a Lost Boy was friends with another mum that I used to babysit for.
“They found out that I had won a writing prize and contacted me.”
Last year Alex won the sci fi/fantasy category of the prestigious Plaza Prizes competition for which writers submit the first 5,000 words of an unpublished novel. Alex scooped £1,000 for his entry – a fantasy western, entitled Twice Gallowed.
He had been working the novel ever since but switched from the Wild West to Neverland when Nix came seeking his help.
“It was a bit daunting but when I got into it and realised that I could make it my own I really enjoyed the job,” said Alex, who lives in Hampton Wick, near Teddington.
Starting from a basic 20-page outline, Alex has written a one hour 40-minute family show featuring Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, and the dastardly Captain Hook and his pirate crew.
“It’s roughly the same story but with added jokes,” said Alex. “As it’s a family show, I’ve tried to write jokes that would make me laugh but not get me fired!”
He has also introduced some new characters including pirate Smee’s mother, the dame part for the show.
Alex says he watched Spielberg’s Hook for inspiration and was also grateful that he had taken a playwriting module in his first year at Winchester.
Nicola Sutton from the Nix Aacademy said: “We were incredibly lucky to find Alex at short notice. Our original script writers pulled out due to illness but Alex took this on for us and saved the day!
“We gave him a short time frame and detailed instructions which he has made come to life and added in great comedy moments and local knowledge puns. We are going to have a great show and can’t wait to bring everyone on a magical adventure to Neverland!”
Dr Glen Fosbraey, Associate Dean of Humanities at the University of Winchester, who taught Alex’s playwriting module, said: “‘We’re all immensely proud of Alex, and this professional engagement is just reward for his dedication, self-motivation, and flair for playwriting. It’ll be exciting to see where his career takes him next.”
Peter Pan plays at the Literary Institute, Egham on 7 and 8 December. Follow this link for bookings and information.
Pictured top: Alex with his Plaza Prizes winner's certificate.
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