A Man of Letters – 1997

Alan

This is a two man play. Frank, a well-worn northerner, with aspirations to write spy thrillers - plots of which he acts out when alone - has erected signs for a commercial letterer for twenty five years. On a ledge of his boss's building, assisted by trainee Alan, he attempts to spell 'Forshaw' - the letters collectively forming the play's third "character". Scorning help - "I don't need a plan for seven letters" - he is nevertheless nonplussed when the right letters do not appear. Dusk threatens, the building behind him grows cold, shorn of people expected back form lunch - and realization dawns. Frank's opinion of the casual Alan changes as he learns that, unlike himself, Alan has real talent. Asking to finish the job, Alan makes the letters spell a different word ...

A film version for BBC schools SCENE series was made with Keith Barron (Frank) and Sean Maguire (Alan).