The final workshop of the 2013 series featured a brand new play by Dundee-based playwright Robert Ballantine. Locked In is a hospital based drama with a darkly humorous take on some modern ethical dilemmas.
This is Bob’s first new play since the stage production of his satirical comedy Standing Stanes by Edinburgh theatre company Siege Perilous in May 2012, under director Andy Corelli. The play was a success with critics and audiences alike.
He comments:
“The positive reaction to Standing Stanes motivated me to write Locked In, a play suitable for stage or TV. The play probably needs some refinement, so the reading provided an excellent opportunity to gauge audience reaction. I enjoyed the reading and appreciated the constructive feedback given afterwards. One or two comments gave me food for thought. I’ll look again at certain aspects of the script before taking it further.”
The Writer
Robert Ballantine has professional credits in both stage and television writing. He was a founder-member of Dundee Playwrights’ Workshop, active at Dundee Rep Theatre in the 1980s and 90s. Along with local playwright Donald Gunn, and with the enthusiastic collaboration of Dundee Dramatic Society was instrumental in the DPW’s revival in 2012 at The Little Theatre.
Bob was one of the writers of the Dundee Mystery Play, centrepiece of the 1989 Dundee Community Festival. Two of Bob’s scripts, including the original screen version of Standing Stanes, received public rehearsed readings by Dundee Rep actors as part of the Playwrights’ workshop series. His television work has included material for the BBC comedy series Naked Video. As well as both workshop series at the Little Theatre, Bob has collaborated with local playwright Donald Gunn on various projects.