Shoppers in Swanley on Good Friday were surprised to see three soldiers leading a man wearing a crown of thorns and carrying a cross, to a place outside the post office in a modern re-enactment of the crucifixion. The soldiers, played by members of the congregations of St Peter’s Hextable and One with Grace Wilmington, were taking part in a short drama inspired by one of the York cycle of Mystery plays.

I adapted the “Pinners’ Play” bringing it bang up to date with modern language and in modern-day dress. We processed through the busy shopping street to the slow beat of a drum. Everyone was staring. I wanted to grab people’s attention. It was Good Friday - one day of the year where Jesus cannot be ignored.

Start of January seems as good a time as any to get blogging again. Sadly neglected during the summer, but as a full-time wordsmith, I don’t think I have any excuse. Please talk to me, tell me what you’re up to, and I’ll try to do the same.

And if anyone would like to employ me, that would be even better!

Happy New Year and Blessings for 2008.

In celebration of 30 years of the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, there will be a programme of events from 19th-21st July which will include “beautiful and funny” lunchtime plays. One of them is my short play “Start Me Up”. It will be in the Church House Gardens (behind the theatre) on Friday 20th July 1-2pm.

If anyone finds themselves at a loose end in Bromley next Friday lunchtime, don’t squander your money bargain hunting in “The Glades” come along and snap up a bit of culture instead.

Laughter is good for you. It’s official. A team of American researchers have shown that it can even help to prevent heart attacks. Here’s the proof. Tickling could be one option, but might just get you arrested if you choose the wrong person to tickle.

For a safer option, try this comedy moment A website dedicated to tickling your funny bone, without resulting in a criminal record. Aimed at “Leaders of British Industry, staff at The World Bank, housewives, students and other bored people” you can find jokes, scripts and monologues to raise a smile on an otherwise dull and grey day. The site contains some brilliant original comedy writing from Katy Coxall and Claire Bennett. Meet “The Neighbour” a wickedly funny and brilliantly hideous character who will set you cringing; why the Beckhams should be monarchy and an extract from a radio play “My Mother and Other Strange Creatures”. The jokes section, however, is recommended for the broad-minded! You’ll even find a monologue on the site from yours truly.

Be good to your heart and have a larf today.

Did anyone see last night’s episode of Doctor Who?

Hide-behind-the-sofa scares with a tender love story and a new challenge for The Doctor. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s repeated on BBC3 at 8 tonight. If you saw it and loved it. Tell the writer, Paul Cornell

Well, right now I’m writing this blog, but I thought I’d give a little snapshot of my life at the moment.

WHAT I’M READING

The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin - the latest in the Rebus series centred around the events in July 2005 - G8 and the London bombings.

The proofs of Sushi for One by Camy Tang. Camy is a blogger extraordinaire and a writer who’s first novel is out later this year. She’s witty, fun and thought provoking and it’s a wonderful insight into the Asian-American community.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

Doctor Who - Series three of this magnificent BBC show. It just gets better and better. Looking forward to seeing the two-parter written by Paul Cornell. Paul was speaking at Greenbelt 2005 at the same time as Annie and I. Literally at the same time, as I remember, so I didn’t get the chance to hear him or say hello. I was on stewarding duty in a packed tent while they were playing the DVD of Paul’s earlier Doctor Who episode, Father’s Day, the episode where Rose first meets her father, Pete Tyler and they all get attacked by scary flying monsters. I was transfixed. The venue manager, Alison, had gone off to fetch tea for the stewards and rather than climb over the couple of hundred equally transfixed people who were packed into the tent, she reached through the flap in the tent behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I didn’t think it was possible to hang by your fingernails to the roof of a tent…

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO
My playlist at iTunes - Right at this moment, Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. An hour or so of an eclectic mix of rock, pop, gospel and ballards. Whoops, it’s just changed to Paul Weller and You do Something to me. Love it!

WHAT I’M LOOKING AT ONLINE
When I’m supposed to be writing… Favourite website of the moment, other than those in my blogroll, is British Theatre, a networking site for people involved in the Theatre in Britain.

Absolutely must have a bit of a brag about the new book. It’s a departure from the chick-lit of Theodora’s world but it retains the strong protagonist, quirky minor characters and a good dose of humour. However, I have a stronger storyline to drive it along. Here’s the synopsis…

When the town of Monksford revives the tradition of medieval religious plays, reporter Jemma Durham takes a role to cover the experience for the Monksford Gazette. But the real story unfolds behind the scenes—a forbidden kiss, bribery, and tragedy! Jemma holds the power to destroy lives and advance her career, but at what cost?

If anyone has read it, I’d love you to tell me what you think.

“>You can read an extract here
And buy a copy here

or here if you are in the US

I’m spending too much time on Youtube! This made me fall on the floor. You think YOU have trouble with call centres. At least you have fingers!

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Tomorrow is the last day of term before we break up for Easter.
Found this on Youtube. It made me laugh so much.

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Nice one, Mr Bradshaw. You’re a star!

I’ve got paper cuts on both my hands. One is in that fleshy bit between my right thumb and index finger (there must be a medical name for that bit, but I don’t know what it is). The other is on the tip of the middle finger of my left hand. They are so sore, but one gets no sympathy for a paper cut. Just part of the job, I suppose. Can I claim they are industrial injuries?