It's strange, isn't it?

 

For years I enjoyed reading novels. Some were great and meant a lot of late nights.

You know what I mean.

You can't put the book down . . just one more page, then I'll switch the bedside light off (30 pages later you're still going strong)!!

 

Mind you, some were so bad, that I still kept reading because the ingredients of the story really didn't make sense.

And that is when I realised that I wanted - and had to - write a novel.

 

I have written several Pantomimes in my career. The 'Goat Players' ,  have been absolutely fantastic, and we have put on such productions as :-

ALICE IN CODICOTE  -  CINDERELLA  -  THE MERRY MEN (based on Robin Hood)

All these shows were professionally put together, and all cast members gave their time for nothing!

May I also add that all proceeds from these productions - over £14,000 - went to our chosen charity -                                                                  The Danesbury and Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital 

 

So 'CONSCIENCE' was first penned in 2010 and finally proof read in 2011 - when it was taken on board by a big publishing company, and went on sale in all major book shops that same year.

 

I had so much pleasure doing signing sessions, meeting the customers and other budding authors,  who picked my brains regarding the creation of my first novel. Now I loved the fact that people were interested in me - and my new book, so I was happy to relate my story and offer any tips, help and advice that would help them with their first novel.

 

Then a friend of mine, a theatre owner, read my book and told me it would make a great stage play.

STAGE PLAY?

 

Wow - this was going to be something totally new to me, and I started to transpose the story from book to stage.

 

It became a labour of love, but finally the script was finished.

Now to interview actors and actresses for the roles.

After the short list was complete, I ran auditions to finally choose the cast and understudies.

 

It was all coming together  !!!!!

 

I booked the Gordon Craig theatre in Stevenage for it's 'birth'.

And what a delivery it had!!!!!

Great reviews and well made up cast members and audiences.

 

The play was run successfully at many theatres and always received great reviews.

 

Now, you must understand, during all this time, I was going about my business as a working comedian. Long drives, long days - short nights without much sleep.

And yet I just knew I had another project inside me just waiting to burst forth.

 

This time I was going to do get my head down and complete my new, second book as fast as I could (but sensibly).

To say that I lived, breathed and slept this book 24/7 was an understatement.

 

And when it was completed, spell checked, proof read etc. I was going to by-pass the publication of the novel - until the play had been put into a top theatre and the reviews taken on-board.

Self induced pressure - or what?

 

 

The play was to be called FACTOR 2025.

'The year is 2025 and T.V talent shows have over run their welcome and have hit rock bottom.  What depths will the show producer Trenton Powell sink to in order to revive the show.  Adapted from the recently published novel of the same name 'Factor 2025' is an image the author has of T.V talent shows and the future of them'

 

 

I wrote the script and had no problem with auditioning top quality actors and actresses for the cast .

And then, out of the blue, ALEX REID, Katy Price's ex husband, and Professional Cage Fighter (and all-round diamond geezer) rang me.

"I want to be in your play. Heard great things about your first play, Conscience, and would like to be considered for a role in Factor 2025"!

Wow - gave Alex an audition and he shone all the way.

 

So the cast was in-place.

I had booked . . . . . Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City.

 

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0992957915/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_4Ctmwb18PWS6H

 

 

 

Please read the review below.

 

 

Reid All About It

MARCH 24   By Jasmine Cain

 

 

Well it was show time again at the Hawthorne Theatre tonight with a hilarious performance full of twists and turns, witty humour and very toned buttocks! ‘Factor 2025’, written by Johnny Tait explores the backstage antics and drama of a typical televised talent contest in a clever, relatable way.

 

Starring Alex Reid (Big Brother Winner and Katie Price’s Ex Hubby) as ‘Joey, who’s good with computers’ showed there is more to the cage fighter than an abs-olutely fantastic physique! The GSA (Guilford School of Acting) graduate gave us our GDA of hunky chizzled muscles, not to mention the guideline daily amount of H20 as he squirted water all over the unprepared audience! Needless to say there were a lot of wet ladies after his strut around the stage in just a little pair of red hotpants!

 

Tait’s well-written but highly risqué play displayed an array of characters and acts, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained throughout with dancers, singers and even poetry readers – each possessing contrasting levels of talent from sweet soloists to comedic drag acts!

Mr Powell, brought to life by Johnny Tait himself was accompanied by his pretty ass-istant who help sift through the good, the bad and the angry to find the sob stories that we as a nation know and love too well, even if they had to make up a few porkie-pies in the process! It was very refreshing to see Tait play a grotesque, seedy, money driven man who was willing to put fame and fortune before morals – and those were just his good points!

 

Despite the multitude of talent on the stage, one of my favourite auditionees was 52 yr old George, who rocked out like there was no tomorrow and let the audience join in his private party by singing and clapping along. With his amazing ability to capture each member of public’s attention, it was safe to say that he definitely left us wanting more, more, more!

 

Personally, I feel the best part about ‘Factor 2025’ was how everyone watching was made aware of the harsh reality of how easily the TV industry manipulates poor, innocent people, prying on their vulnerability in their search for stardom.  The audience participation was key to the success of the show, engaging the entire auditorium and really involving us on the emotional journey created by Tait.

 

All in all, a big congratulations to a budding cast, who without a doubt have the ‘X-Factor’ and definitely provided a great insight into the world of reality television – ‘Behind the Screens’, with special recognition going out to Alex Reid for his surprising transition from Cage to Stage!

 

Sit back, slippers on, job done.

 

Now for the book - WATCH THIS SPACE !!!!!