EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2009: BWW Interviews: Bea Roberts, Author Of THE TALE OF LADY STARDUST

Tell me about your play.

The Tale of Lady Stardust is a three-hander, centring on a very lonely religious zealot who believes that David Bowie is a prophet sending him messages about the apocalypse. He lives in a tower block with his acolyte, and they meet a woman, Rachel, when she knocks on their door.

What gave you the idea?

It was originally commissioned by my director, who wanted a 20-minute piece for a drama school performance. He told me it would be very small, very low budget, and that he wanted it to be about the apocalypse. I was interested in the Rapture movement and how people develop extremist religious beliefs, and we went from there.

Why David Bowie?

Well, I'm a huge fan! I think he's iconic, and he's had a lot of personas, so I think he could plausibly be some kind of deity. [laughs]

Were you worried about causing offence through your treatment of religion?

I was concerned, but I try to be as conscientious as possible, and write with compassion, and to be empathetic. I like my characters and I hope other people realise that. I also try to make it clear that I'm critiquing beliefs, not the believer. I don't want to upset people, but I do find it conflicting that it's fine to question people's political or ethical beliefs but not religious beliefs. I do think that people can believe what they want, but extreme beliefs impinge on society.

How did you get into writing in the first place?

By accident! I was obsessed with theatre, television and film, and I was a precocious child, always singing and dancing. I thought about film-making for a while, and becoming a director, but then at university a friend of mine asked me to write a short comedy sketch for them, and the rest is history.

Do you get nervous about what the audience will think of your work?

Yeah! Definitely! I don't think you could be good at what you do if you didn't. I like to push myself. At the last Edinburgh festival I set my play in the 1940s, because when I first started writing the script all the characters sounded like me, so I changed the era and made them listen to Noel Coward and things, to make sure they all have different voices.

You had great reviews for The Darkling Plain last year - do you think you've got a lot to live up to?

I don't think I'm successful enough for a backlash yet, at least! I know that nothing can be to everyone's taste, and at Edinburgh you have to work really hard to make sure people will come.

What are you planning to see at Edinburgh?

I'll obviously sit at the back of the theatre while my play's on. I've been booking tickets for the shows at the Traverse, and I really want to see Daniel Kitson, as well as some up-and-coming sketch groups.

What's next for you?

I'll be down at the Canal Cafe Theatre in London as their writer-in-residence.

The Tale Of Lady Stardust is playing at the Underbelly this month

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