Screenplays

Just sent off the final tweaks to the screenplay for BREATHE before it goes out to actors. It’s the true story of a man who lives for thirty years with a machine doing his breathing for him. Andy Serkis is to direct – very different territory for him from hobbits, which is what makes it exciting for all of us. A small film, but it should be extremely powerful. If we get the right cast.

Saw ROOTS at the Donmar the other night. Really impressive play, with all the strengths of the best Chekhov. Almost thirty years ago, when SHADOWLANDS first appeared on television, Arnold Wesker sent me a card of congratulations that got snarled up in the BBC’s correspondence section, where someone was too ignorant to recognise his name. It got to me eventually, and I’ve always treasured it. He’s a superb writer. Jessica Rayne is astonishing in the lead part.

Now on with work on my screenplay for TUTANKHAMUN.