At the heart of London’s gay district, the 10th anniversary of the Admiral Duncan pub bombing is remembered with an inspiring play by the young playwright, Jonathan Cash. In the pub at the time of the the bomb blast, and with the seasoned passing of time, Jonathan reflects objectively about this tragic event that he was caught up in. So let’s chat with Jonathan…
1. What inspired you to become an author and dramatist?
I was taken to the theatre as a kid and fell in love with it. I always wanted to write but didn’t dare try. After the Admiral Duncan bombing, I reassessed my life and realised that you shouldn’t waste your passions. In my late 30s, I applied for the M.A. Dramatic Writing course at the University of Sussex and it took off from there.
2. What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Brighton Festival Fringe?
The First Domino is inspired by my experiences of surviving the Admiral Duncan bombing but is about two fictional characters. People’s attitudes will be challenged and they will also be unnerved. It’s not earnest and dull, though, and has lots of humour which, again, unnerves and surprises people.
3. What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?
In the late 80s, during my first degree at Middlesex, I performed at the National Student Drama Festival. In the same day, I took part in a demonstration of mask work with my tutor John Wright (of Trestle Theatre Company) and in the evening I did some terrible stand-up comedy where I performed a pastiche Brecht / Weill song I had written and was about as funny as a burning orphanage.
4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
See above.
5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?
The best advice is to accept that everything is temporary. It makes you appreciate the best parts and gets you through the bad bits. The worst advice was – I kid you not – from a friend of the family who told me, “Don’t go near homosexuals.” Obviously, I hung on her every word and it made me the man I am today!
6. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
It sounds naff but it’s true….I am so proud of The First Domino because out of something as heinous as the Admiral Duncan bombing has come something creatively fulfilling that has really moved people. My ambition is to see something I’ve written being staged in the West End.
7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?
I am fascinated with Josephine Baker (I hope to present a play about her in the future) who lived a jaw-dropping life and stood up for equality and justice. The second guest would be Stan Laurel. His timing was immaculate and his performances sublime. The third would be Will Young. There would only be three chairs which means I’d have to sit on his knee so the dish I would prepare would be tongue sandwich.
8. What is the best book or books you have read and why?
Josephine Baker’s biographies are stunning. My favourite fictional book of recent times is The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. Articulate, scary and convincing.
9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?
I hate my name being shortened (“Johnny Cash”, anyone?)
When I was 30, I met my natural mother for the first time since I was a few weeks old.
I used to go water skiing in Yorkshire.
I had my big toe nails removed when I was a kid.
They haven’t grown back.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
If I had magical powers, I’d remove bigotry in all its forms.
