Edge Hill play writer gets 'Under My Skin'

A senior lecturer at Edge Hill University who is a playwright behind the scenes has been chosen to stage his work at a brand new festival this month.

Rob Johnston's black comedy about guilt-free crime, Under My Skin, has been selected for Write Now, Liverpool's first ever one act play festival and a landmark event of 2010 on Merseyside.

He beat off stiff competition from almost 60 other writers and his production is one of eight plays to be shown at The Actors' Studio on Seel Street, Liverpool throughout March and April.

Rob, who actually teaches an MA in Early Maths Intervention at the University, said: "Writing is a real passion of mine and I started penning short stories a few years ago. I then found out that I had cancer and that was when I wrote my first ever black comedy based on my own experiences of surviving this illness. Since then I've had some success and a few of my plays have been shown across the country but I was particularly delighted when Under My Skin was chosen for this festival because it's the first one to be held in Liverpool. The festival has a real buzz about it and provides lots of opportunities for playwriters like myself."

His rule-bending play Under My Skinis about two men Will and Jimmy, who have lost their moral compass. While they wait for it to turn up they think like politicians: it's only a crime if you get caught. Not a sacred cow is left standing as the boys hack themselves out a new moral pathway!

Rob's inspiration for the play came quite fittingly around the same time as the MP expenses scandal to hit the national headlines. It is a thought-provoking play which questions the way people take advice from people in power.

He said: "I really enjoyed writing this play and one of the best parts for me was at the rehearsal stage to see how it works live, then re-writing certain parts to improve it and make it as good as it can possibly be. It's also a real boost when you see people coming to watch one of your plays although a little nerve-wracking waiting for their reactions.  I know that the test audience really liked Under My Skin, so I'm hoping that when it goes live this month others will enjoy it just as much."

And his advice to other playwrights: "Start on a blank page and let your imagination flow, and learn to take criticism. It's hard work but such an enjoyable experience. If you're serious about it then you need to send off your work to festivals like this one because it supports local creative people and is a great way to break into a very competitive market, which can lead onto bigger and better things."

You can see the one-hour performances of Under My Skin on the following datesat The Actors' Studio on Seel Street, Liverpool:

• Saturday 27^th March, 5.30pm
• Monday 29^th March, 7pm
• Wednesday 31^st March, 8.30pm
• Saturday 3^rd April, 2.30pm

Tickets are £8/£6 concessions and can be purchased by contacting 0151 709 3789 or online at www.writenowfestival.co.uk.