25 Glorious Years of Pizza

Today marks 25 years since a play of mine about a pizza delivery man and his determinedly awkward customer was first performed. It was part of a writers' showcase based around food - the theatre producing it had recently moved to new premises in an area associated with eateries. The building's transformation from its previous use had not yet been completed, however, and perhaps because this event took place before the official opening there is little mention of it online. Which seems a pity to me - and I daresay five others might feel the same, though they will have to tell their own stories in their own doo wop-related blogs.

Jake Thackray biography

 

A biography of Jake Thackray, written with the cooperation of friends and family, is due to be published by Leeds-based company Scratching Shed this August. I don't think anyone will be disappointed.

Paul Thompson, cowriter with John "Fake Thackray" Watterson, recently posted the above image of its cover design on social media advance orders are already being taken - the Scratching Shed website is here. Publication date is August 11th. The hardback book, running to 464 pages, is £20 and post-free in the UK, which sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I read a short sample in draft form and can't wait for the whole thing.

Here's part of the description on the Scratching Shed website:

The book reveals a life as extraordinary his writing: the hard childhood in the terraces of Leeds, remarkable Catholic education and formative years in France and war-torn Algeria; the first career as an inspirational, unorthodox, highly creative teacher; the meteoric development as a writer and performer, and discovery by the BBC; the Abbey Road recordings and impact on The Beatles; the fame and fortune brought by a remarkable television career... and Jake’s rejection of it all.  It is the story of a charismatic, complex, self-effacing man who remained an enigma even to his friends.

 

 Other posts about Jake Thackray:

 On Again! On Again! or Strangers on a Train

 Ralph, William and Jake (and Davey) or Act As Known