Editorial: Nick Payne

Dream List: what plays should we be reading, putting on and going to see?

One play that I think you should read if you haven't already is They Have Oak Tress in North Carolina by Sarah Wooley.  Sadly, I didn't get a chance to see it when it was on a couple of years ago.  I can safely say however, that it is an absolutely fantastic read.

In terms of what you should be putting on, I think you already have: 2nd May 1997 by Jack Thorne is wonderful.  Similarly, I can't wait to see new plays coming up by James Graham and Penny Skinner, who are both great writers. In terms of what you should be seeing, I would say anything and everything really.  Failing that, you should see anything by any of the following authors: Simon Stephens, Robert Holman, Rona Munro, Duncan Macmillan, Dennis Kelly, Sam Holcroft and Debbie Tucker Green.

Describe your first theatrical epiphany

When I was still at school - I think I was studying for my A Levels - there was a school trip to go and see The Lifeblood by Glynn Maxwell at the Hen and Chickens in Islington.  Prior to this, the majority of my theatre going experiences had been confined to, mostly, Shakespeare and a bit of panto.  The Lifeblood was, I think, the first new play that I had ever seen.  I had been told that, for some strange reason, the writer had decided to write his play in verse.  I thought only dead people wrote in verse.  I was wrong.  It was absolutely fantastic.  The theatre was tiny and the place was covered in sweat.

Who would you invite to your fantasy theatrical dinner party?

George Devine, Maurice Maeterlinck, Daniel Kitson, Nick Ward, Peter Gill, Jocelyn Herbert, David Mamet, Kenneth Lonergan and John Normington.

What are your career highlights so far?

(I fear somewhat predictably) Having my first full length play staged at the Bush Theatre.  Prior to this though, it was working with Jan Pearson - albeit briefly - on an original piece for Ignition at the Tristan Bates Theatre.  I think Jan is fantastic.

What's the strangest experience you've had in the theatre?

When I first moved to London, I worked as an usher at The Old Vic.  Seeing the same play over and over - sometimes as many as forty or fifty times - was a pretty strange experience.  It should be said though, far from a bad one.  Indeed I think I learnt a great deal without ever really knowing it.

Who is your favourite actor of all time?

Of all time?  I fear I've not really seen enough to be able to answer this just yet (sorry).  However, some actors whom I'm particularly taken with at the moment are: Jan Pearson, Fred Ridgeway, Lyndsey Marshal, Clare Skinner, Michelle Terry, Nick Sidi and Stuart McQuarrie.

Who is the greatest influence on your career?

Difficult to pin it down to a single person ... Certainly my Drama and English teachers from my schooldays were, retrospectively, the more I think about it, hugely influential.  Similarly, various writers, Literary Managers and directors that I've had the fortune to meet, have undoubtedly had a significant impact on my work of late.  Three writers in particular though: Simon Stephens (Port is absolutely my favorite play.  Line for line, I know of no other play I love more), William Trevor and Sharon Olds.

Where do you want to be in 5 years time?

Absolutely still writing for the theatre.  There are so many stages I would love to write for: Royal Exchange, Traverse, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal Court, Hampstead, Liverpool Everyman ... The list goes on.

What' s the best thing you've ever seen at the theatre?

Best thing ever?  Again, tricky.  Certainly the best thing I've seen recently would be This Wide Night by Chloe Moss.  It was absolutely heart breaking.  At one point I struggled to catch my breath.

What are you up to at the moment?

Various things that aren't quite confirmed, so I fear I probably shouldn't mention them just yet.  Fingers crossed though.

Biography: Nick Payne

Nick studied at the University of York followed by the Central School of Speech and Drama.  In 2008, he took part in The 24 Hour Plays at The Old Vic and was on attachment to Paines Plough under their Future Perfect scheme. Nick won the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright in 2009. His plays include: Switzerland (HighTide Festival 2008) and Starlings (Rehearsed reading, Royal Court Theatre, as part of the Young Writer’s Festival 2009). 

Nick's latest play, If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet, opens at the Bush Theatre on October 17th and runs until November 21st.