So then, how are you?

Good, thanks. Busy, but I’m enjoying myself.

How was the Southampton show?

Very good. It was nice to get back on the road. That was our first date of the spring tour we’re gonna b doing, so it was a bit loose in places, but everyone will come on so much for it.

It was the first time that some of your cast had performed the play wasn’t it?

Yeah, two of ‘em were new. Alan, who plays “B” and Gemma, who plays “the Girl” (u can find out more about these two on the “biographies” signpost). That’s two thirds of the cast, so it has changed the dynamic of the piece a lot. But I’m very happy with that. I think it’s at least 15% better than the last production, which is always the aim. The interplay between Neil and Alan is particularly cool.

So where r u next?

Looks like it’s gonna b Brighton. We’re just scheduling that now. Hopefully will b within the next three-four weeks.

When r u playing the Spitz in London?

Looks like the end of May. Vic and I met Pete, the promoter, up in town last week. We’re just finalising who’re gonna b the band after us.

Rock’n'roll theatre, eh?

For sure. I’m really looking to that gig. People have been asking me for ages when r we gonna play London, so it’s nice to finally do one. And the Spitz is a wicked venue. Just round the corner from Brick Lane. It’s an area of London I spend quite a lot of time in these days. There’s some really good cafes and bars round there.

Such as?

The 1001 is good. That’s down Brick Lane.

Any news on who the band's gonna b?

Well, I’d like it to b a band from the Isle of Wight. That would b smart, ‘cos then it would b a proper Isle of Wight Invasion. There’s a few bands coming through now, that r starting to get some mainland attention – Jackson Analogue, who supported The Bees on a few dates on their recent tour, and Motion Pictures, who I think are signed to Town Full of Fonzies, the Island-based label that Paul Armfield’s on. They’d b two I’d b up for, particularly since we all know each other in some way or other. And then there’s Mista Mushroom, of course, featuring Lottie and Harry, a couple of universal taxi crew members. They’re a wicked band. And there’s Drew as well, but I ain’t sure what he’s upto at the moment. So, we’ll see. Its upto Pete, really. I’ll let u know as soon as I do.

Any news on Edinburgh?

Yeah, the theatre’s now booked. I’m performing at ClubWest, which is based at the Theosophical society building in Dundas Street, from the 7^th till the 20^th of August. There’ll b stuff on all that soon on the site.

That’s with your new show, isn’t it?

That’s right. It’s a one-man show, called Beat Freaks. I’ve talked about it before on some other interviews. It’s taking shape all the time. Just written a new bit for it – on the theory of ging.

Which is?

In a nutshell, you’ve had it if your not ging. We are destined to rule.

Hmm. Well, we’re not ging, so does that include us as well?

Yes.

Moving on, there is something we want to ask u.

What is it?

Well, we just wondered what u felt about being discussed on the Bees message board. There were some interesting things written about u.

Ah. That. Hmm. (long pause) I don’t really want to talk about it, to b honest.

Why Not?

'Cos……'cos it’s been a bit strange. It took me a little by surprise. It was a bit odd to see some of things people were saying.

U posted a reply, didn’t u? Why did u do that?

I probably shouldn’t have, but I just got a bit tired of some of the rumours and hearsay. I got accused of “shameless self-promoting” when I did, though, so it was like I couldn’t really win either way.

But isn’t it nice to b talked about?

Well, it’s a double-edged sword, innit? I guess I learnt that u gotta not care so much about stuff people say. I maybe play a part in my own downfall sometimes, in that respect. But I’d rather just b judged on my work. If people don’t like my plays fair enough. That’s upto them and by putting stuff on view u gotta b able to deal with that, for sure. But personal stuff is always a little harder to take.

U surprise us. We thought u loved all that!

Yeah, well…… Anyway, I said I didn’t want to talk about it. Enough. Please.

Sorry. Can we ask about the recent Bees gig up at Brixton?

Yeah.

How was it?

Oh, it was awesome. They were amazing that night.

We heard they rocked. The place was pretty packed, wasn’t it?

For sure. And seeing all those people singing and dancing to songs like “these are the ghosts” was incredible. There were a few of us from Ventnor that night and we were all just looking at each other with massive smiles on our faces; totally buzzed out by the whole thing. Eek. Bad pun. I hadn’t seen ‘em play since the Ventnor music day last year, either, and I was really impressed the way they’ve evolved as a live band. I mean, Brixton’s a big ole venue and the crowd were a little quiet when they came on, but by the end of the gig they’d completely won them over. I might b a bit bias, but they really r a top live band. No doubt. If u haven’t seen ‘em yet u really should.

OK. Thanks for talking to us.

No worries.