New writers are told to write about what they know. Actor Ian Hallard tells me that the first play he wrote, The Way Old Friends Do, which begins a UK tour in February, “isn’t autobiographical, but there’s an awful lot of me in it.” It’s about two friends who have been ABBA fans since their schooldays. (Ian has loved ABBA since he was three.) The play is also about “gay men of a certain age”. (Ian is 48 and has been married for 14 years.) It’s even directed by his husband — Mark Gatiss — who Ian has his arm around for almost our entire conversation. “I love him to bits,” he says.
In the 90s, Mark, 56, became famous as part of the dark comedy quartet The League of Gentlemen. More than 20 years on, he’s still in comedy: one of his latest roles was playing veteran comedian Larry Grayson in ITVX’s Nolly. Arguably, though, he’s become better known for his involvement with three of TV’s biggest blockbusters — Doctor Who, Sherlock and Dracula.
Mark is a multi-talented writer, actor and director. For TV, one of his most important directing commissions was Queers (2017), eight monologues commemorating the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. He also directed The Unfriend — written by Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat — currently at London’s Criterion Theatre. He is therefore eminently qualified to helm his hubby’s first play, which is poised to become part of the ABBA mania that is sweeping everything from hen nights to arenas.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March/April 2023-Ausgabe von Attitude UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March/April 2023-Ausgabe von Attitude UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
SUPER TROUPERS
Happily married couple Mark Gatiss and lan Hallard have collaborated on a play inspired by lan's devotion to ABBA. Now beginning its UK tour, The Way Old Friends Do is not about the Swedish superstars, but two mates performing as ABBA in drag. We interviewed the pair to find out more...
Welcome to MIAMI
We explore the queer and vibrant streets of Miami Beach before getting a feel for Wynwood, Miami's trendy up-and-coming neighbourhood
Work of ART
Michael F. Rumsby always aspired to be an artist. After a very successful career in PR, he's now following his passion full time, as he shares here
Right MOVES
Meet a fashion icon who can do it all. Sakeema Peng Crook is an international model, content creator, dancer and activist whose mantra is embodying positive change
Getting SERIOUS
Not content with making the nation laugh, comedian turned campaigner Joe Lycett has taken to speaking out on the issues of the day - from David Beckham becoming the face of antigay Qatar in the World Cup to the UK government's immigration policy. We loved him before but now we love him even more...
Transforming LIVES
In 2020, Dani St James founded Not A Phase, a charity that wants to make a difference for trans and gender-diverse adults. Here, she tells us more
A breath of FRESH AIR
From encouraging cycling to implementing Ultra-Low Emission Oliver Lord has made London's controversial Zone, eco campaigner great strides towards cutting pollution
Freer THAN EVER
Actor Adam Ali on bringing their \"queer Arab magic\" to film and TV, including Waterloo Road, coming out, and how they hope to inspire and influence positive change through representation
Aqua MAN
As one of the few publicly gay professional swimmers, Team GB's Daniel Jervis discusses coming out, the highs and lows of 2022 and what's up next
Baptism OF FIRE
Here, globetrotting guru and founder of LGBTQ+ travel website Every Queer, Meg Ten Eyck writes about her recent trip to Burning Man