I am David Gardiner, the co-writer of a new musical based on part of my 2011 novel Engineering Paradise. I say co-writer because I am responsible for the script only, the words were turned into songs by other people, talented and very kind singers and musicians who offered their services free and, like me, ask for no performing rights or other payment of any kind for their work.
This entire project has been created in the public domain, and can be staged without fees or copyright complications by any interested group.
Although it has many lighter moments this is at heart a rather dark musical set in the war-and-hatred-torn Belfast of the 1960s and early 70s. It is dedicated to the memory of the approximately 3,500 people who lost their lives in these 'troubles'.
It's essentially a coming-of-age teenage love story set against this background, and a major theme is what we would now call 'radicalisation'. A schoolboy without any strong views becomes seduced into IRA membership because of a love of pirate radio and solving technical problems. Seeing it all as an interesting game he makes a Faustian bargain from which there is no escape. This general theme could hardly be more topical.
There is a lot to say and explain about this project but essentially it is a ready-to-go full script complete with demo versions of all the songs. For full details and free downloads please visit the showcase page at: http://forestradio.co.uk/Showcase.html.
A whole year has gone by and no takers as yet. Please, have a look at the script and listen to a few of the songs. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I need somebody with a bit of imagination able to see the possibilities. If you have a link to a theatre group, whether amateur, student or professional, remember that all proceeds will go to the group, neither I nor anybody else involved in the play's creation want paying. This is a labour of love.
David, with all your hard work and time and "no takers," you really ought to publish with StagePlays. You'll be exposed to thousands of theatre professionals looking for plays to produce. I have most of my plays published with StagePlays and I am paid a handsome royalty. You, at least, owe that to yourself and your collaborators. To offer your work free of charge does a disservice to other playwrights. Pretend you own a little diner on the corner of something and something and you sell sandwiches for a living. Along comes a guy who gives away sandwiches free just outside your diner. That might be seen as a bit unfair to the owner of the diner and diners everywhere. No judgement...just something to think about.
If you read the history of the play's creation you'll see why this isn't really an option. A large number of people contributed, especially to the songs. My contribution was book and lyrics only. We agreed from the start that it wasn't a commercial venture. It has been in the public domain from the start.
