Broadway Baby chats to acclaimed playwright and novelist Alex Martinez. He's bringing The Rose of Jericho to Fringe '16 and we can't wait to hear more.
I was born in Barcelona but have lived in London since 1960, when my father was granted political asylum in the UK after publishing a fiercely anti-Francoist novel in Mexico.
Tell us about yourself….
I'm a playwright and published novelist who has also written film and TV scripts for and with my comedian daughter, Francesca Martinez (best newcomer comic winner at Edinburgh 2000). I was born in Barcelona but have lived in London since 1960, when my father was granted political asylum in the UK after publishing a fiercely anti-Francoist novel in Mexico. My first play Private Thoughts had a successful 3-week run at the Hackney Empire in 2009. The Rose of Jericho premiered at the Edfringe in 2014, garnering 5 and 4-star reviews and was, at one point, the 4th highest rated show at the Fringe. The play has had two London runs (at the Arcola and King's Head Theatre), was part of last year's Brighton Festival, and has also played at Hull's Kardomah94 Theatre. I've just written a new play which I am hoping to bring to the Fringe this year too (otherwise definitely next year!)
Do you come here often?
I've been coming to Edinburgh since 2000, when my daughter won the Telegraph Open Mic Award (the likes of Jimmy Carr and Matthew Horne were also in the final). She'd joined a comedy workshop earlier that year to prepare for a film role I'd written for her (actor/producer Anthony Andrews had acquired the script and was keen that Francesca get some first-hand experience of stand up). We were back a year later with our show I'm Perfect, which was a sell out and critical success. I've been back several times since then including, of course, in 2014 when we premiered The Rose of Jericho here.
Who do you most want to meet at the festival?
I would love to meet an artistic director who falls madly in love with my play and offers us a three or four week run in their esteemed theatre! But seriously, Edinburgh is a great place to meet and catch up with friends and their new shows. The usual suspects include Richard Herring, Paul Chowdhry, Jen Brister, Markus Birdman and Mark Thomas.
What’s your favourite Edinburgh bar or restaurant?
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the splendid Dome. No place quite like it.
What’s your passion?
My passion (outside of writing) is a certain North London football club that bears a proud cockerel on its badge. Supporting the Lillywhites is a perfect preparation for the ups and downs, disappointments and rare moments of euphoria that mark the life of most writers and artists! When it comes to creative work, my passion has always been plays, novels and stand up shows that make us question dangerous certainties about ourselves and the world we live in as we laugh or cry or seethe with rage. It's what drives everything I've ever written.
Show name: The Rose of Jericho
Production company: Theatre Ortas
Venue: the Space@Surgeons Hall
Dates & Times: Aug 5-6, 8-13, 15-20 at 20:0, 22-27 at 17:05
Twitter Handle: @TheatreOrtas
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/The-Rose-of-Jericho-7223...
