Jamie Christian

When did you first realise you wanted to write for a living?

I had just turned 40 years old, and had spent the best part of 15 years trying to rationalise that my years at drama school (aged 21-23) were a big mistake when a close friend from my drama school years died of cancer. The funeral opened up a huge Pandora’s box for me that brought home the early derailment of my acting career and what a waste/shame it was that I couldn’t combine my now very corporate life with a creative one. A week later I walked past the Actors Centre and made a vow with myself to get back in the game – not as an actor but as writer, which is what I should have been doing all along.

Which writer, past or present, do you most admire?

Hanif Kureishi, Alan Hollinghurst, Patti Smith, Zadie Smith.

What was your first published (or performed) credit as a writer?

A Fight At The Opera, my first play which I wrote, produced and directed at the Etcetera Theatre in 2014.

Which piece of writing work are you most proud of?

My current play Museum Pieces, which received an OFFIE award in 2019 after a sell-out week at the Tristan Bates Theatre. I say ‘current’ as producer Scott Ritchie will be bringing it to Paul Taylor-Mills’ Turbine Theatre in early 2021.

Who or what inspires you to write?

Often I meet actors, and then I start to imagine and build a play around them, whilst at the same time delving into my past/memory bank.

How do you switch off when you’re not writing?

Listening to all kinds of music, and going to house music festivals/dancing.

Which one piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Don’t force or try to rush your writing – sometimes things take years to manifest for all the right reasons.

Why are you a member of WGGB?

I now have total confidence in my work and feel not the need to brand myself with ‘imposter syndrome’, therefore I’m looking forward to connecting with other writers in the industry and seeking advice where needed.

Jamie Christian’s work includes Fight at the Opera, Museum Pieces, Skewed Judgement and Four Loyalty Cards.