18
September 2015
Mike Bartlett (1999)
has established
a reputation as one of Britain’s most
exciting playwrights. He recently won
an Olivier Award for his 2014 play
King
Charles III
.
In New York,
Jonny Donahoe (2001)
wowed off-Broadway audiences with
his solo performances of
Every Brilliant
Thing
, a play co-written with Duncan
Macmillan and described by the
Guardian
as “one of the funniest plays
you’ll ever see.”
Joe Wilson’s (2000)
band S
olomon
Grey
recently signed to the Decca
label and produced music for the
BBC’s adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s
A
Casual Vacancy
. Simon Evans (2002)
is a director whose recent London
production of
Almost Maine
won high
praise from
The Times, Independent
and
Daily Mail
.
Some Abingdonians are making names
in comedy.
Paddy Gervers (2008)
is one
half of the comedy blues band
Jonny
and the Baptists
, now tearing up the
tarmac on the UK tour circuit.
Fin Taylor
(2008)
is building a successful career
as a stand-up.
Ed Rowett’s (2005)
first
sitcom series for Radio 4,
Reluctant
Persuaders
airs this summer.
Abingdon
Old Abingdonians
Old Abingdonians making their
name on stage and screen
Noël Coward famously advised against a career on stage, but it seems no amount of
sensible advice can deter Abingdonians from entering the arts. Long known as the alma
mater of
Radiohead,
Toby Jones (1985),
Tom Hollander (1985)
and
David Mitchell (1992)
,
Abingdon now has a new generation of actors, writers, directors, filmmakers, comedians
and musicians making their names.
A growing number of Abingdon alumni are working in film and television.
Sam Johnson’s
(2006)
latest film
Billy the Kid
features John Bell, star of
The Hobbit
.
Will McDowell’s
(2011)
first feature
(Never Better)
premiered in London recently.
Matt Copson (2010)
is
producing his next film in Japan while
Tian Ji (2010)
has just won a BAFTA scholarship to
study creative film production in Hong Kong.
Perhaps, Mr Coward, the stage is not such a bad place after all?
