writing a countryside

by Jon Massey

Iwas a fencing contractor and I wanted to be a playwright, so I wrote a play about being a fencing contractor,” said Samson Hawkins, author of Village Idiot. “I hope this play captures rural life in a way that will be recognisable to people from that background and enlightening to those who are not.

“It’s a message from the country people to the townies, a defence of who we are, and maybe even a challenge for the future.”

His comic play centres on Syresham and its inhabitants who are confronted with the prospect of a new, high speed railway being built though their village.

The play is the rst new work to be staged by Ramps On The Moon a consortium of theatres that puts deaf and disabled artists at the heart of its work.

Village Idiot is a joint production between Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps, and will arrive at the east London venue on April 13, with performances running until May 6.

“I’d never read anything quite like Village Idiot – it’s audacious, made me laugh out loud and gave me a window into country life that those of us from towns and cities just don’t get to see,” said Nadia Fall, artistic director at Stratford East and director of the joint production.

“What’s particularly exciting to me is that this is the rst Ramps show that is a new play, written by a neurodivergent writer.”

Tickets start at £10 with socially distanced and masked performances available. There will also be BSL and audio described shows. Go to stratfordeast.com

Scan this code to nd out more about Village Idiot

RUN | Chase the Moon

Where?

Take on either a 5k or a 10k after dark through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, complete with chip timing and plenty of marshals to guide you.

Feb 8, 7pm, from £25, runthrough.co.uk

Where? The Yard Theatre Hackney Wick

PARTY | Mind Ur Head

This platform and party promises a celebration of queer dance in all its forms, co-curated by Fraserfab and Pierre. Expect a welcoming, inclusive vibe. Feb 11, 10pm-3am, from £8, theyardtheatre.co.uk

Where? Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford

STAGE | How Not To Drown

This painful, yet uplifting play tells the story of an 11-year-old unaccompanied asylum seeker as he uses his wit and charm to make it to the UK.

Jan 26-Feb 11, times vary, from £10, stratfordeast.com ash back what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see want more? have created a book about a quest. Rainbow Snake: Adventures In Love follows a brightly coloured creature on a journey of discovery and is available now, priced £22.11 loverainbowsnake.com

Christabelle Lomas and

Scan this code to read our interview with the author and artist online at wharf-life.com