The Playwrights Database
MICHAEL HOLLAND (1954 - )
Nationality: Britishemail: Click here to contact Website: n/a
Literary Agent: n/a
I began writing in prison while serving 20 years for armed robbery. I teach literacy and numeracy full-time to adults, write art/theatre reviews for Southwark News, plus make documentary films on the area I grew up in - Bermondsey. 1982-1984: 5 year sentence for fraud; 1986-1997: 20 year sentence for armed robbery. In jail I took Open University in Arts and Social Science. I began to write and win arthur Koestler awards; a scheme that is open to all inmates. 1997-2000: University of Greenwich - Ba(Hons)2.1 Media & Communication (Journalism, film-making, photography); 2000-2002: Teaching in Pentonville Prison (Drama, Literacy); 2002-2003: Crossroads - Teaching Basic Skills to ex-offenders. 2003-present: Workers' Educational association - Workplace Tutor (Literacy, Numeracy, Study Skills); 2000 - Present: Arts editor /reviewer Southwark News. arthur Koestler Writing awards: 1991: Playing Mums and Dads - John Mortimer Writing for TV award (2nd). Friends in Waiting - Outstanding Entry 1st. 1992: Vicky Gets What Vicky Wants - Outstanding Entry 1st. Hard on the Outside - Shared 1st BBC TV Script award. Nellie Goes to Work - Writing for Radio 1st. 1993: BBC Radio Drama award. Playwriting for Television - award for an Outstanding Entry' Playwriting for Television - 1st Prize (Shared). 1997: Two Up - Writing for TV 1st. When Love and Hate Collide Writing for Film 3rd. Unsettlement - 1st - English Stage Company award. I Want - Poetry -a D Peters award
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below is a list of Michael Holland's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
36 And Out 36-28-36 Barnstorm Block Party Hammer Horror: The Battle Of Wounded Knee Kick Back In Anger Making Changes Match Fixing Nigel There's No Smoke Two Up36 And Out
Synopsis:
Tommy and Jimmy are two friends having their own mid-life crises, both thinking each is suffering more than the other.
Notes:
Part of A series of linked shorts
1st Produced:
Organisations:
Open Stage
1st Published:
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Music:
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Genre:
short play
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of Page36-28-36
Synopsis:
Two friends are having a midlife crisis as they near 40. One has fell in love with a Russian girl on the internet and is bringing her over for marriage. He has told her he is 28 and has used an old photo of himself during the online courtship. When Olga arrives she too has not been as honest about herself as she could have been.
Notes:
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageBarnstorm
Synopsis:
The robbery on the Tonbridge security depot seemed to be a meisterwork of perfect planning and precision timing. But in the few days after the robbery people were being arrested and charged on an hourly basis, and before long the police had recovered over £21m in vans, bike sheds and lock-up garages. It now looked as if the mastermind had forgotten to plan for after the robbery. Barnstorm takes a look at what may have taken place in the immediate aftermath. Three men are trapped in a barn. Like us all, these three men have their secrets - some darker than others. Some secrets can never be revealed. Living 24-7 with each other tests their trust and their bond.
Notes:
Inspired by Britain's biggest robbery - £53m from A Tonbridge security depot in Feb 2006.
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Genre:
Crime drama Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageBlock Party
Synopsis:
Block Party is three linked short plays that deal with love, lost love, unrequited love hope, survival and winning a talent contest. Set on a SE London estate we see the drug dealers and their customers getting through life along with those that live through their memories on a day to day basis, taking whatever life throws at them.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Network Theatre 29 Oct 2011
Organisations:
Open Stage
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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Genre:
Comedy
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageHammer Horror: The Battle Of Wounded Knee
Synopsis:
When Tom finds Stuart and Dave robbing his grandmother's house he feels there is only one way to deal with heroin addicts and exacts his own brand of justice. Rita discusses the future of her and Dave's relationship with her mother. Hammer Horror relates to society's problems and has a deadly twist at the end.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Network Theatre 24 Sep 2010
Organisations:
Open Stage
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
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Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageKick Back In Anger
Synopsis:
Two women make a campfire and discuss their respective pasts at the hands of a wife-beater. They are in surprisingly good moods as their grisly secret is revealed
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageMaking Changes
Synopsis:
Sarah is having a bad day and wants more from her life. She goes round to see her estranged father whose life is not much better. Between them they make a plan for their futures.
Notes:
Part of A series of linked shorts
1st Produced:
Organisations:
Open Stage
1st Published:
- -
Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
short play
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageMatch Fixing
Synopsis:
Tony and Jan are getting married on her birthday but Tony's favourite football team play at Wembley on the same day. Tony wants to change the date but Jan is against it. Some scheming and plotting go on with the local priest getting involved.
Notes:
part of Prose And Cons - A collection of plays presented in Association with the Koestler Trust
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Organisations:
Union Theatre
1st Published:
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Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Short Play Comedy
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageNigel
Synopsis:
Sue and Joe are taking a camping break from the rigours of their daily lives when Nigel arrives to disturb their peace
Notes:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageThere's No Smoke
Synopsis:
Jennifer and Gus, amelia and Toby (2 couples) are sitting around a campfire at night. They are drinking mulled wine that they have cooked up for themselves on the fire. Jennifer is sulking and has the hump with Gus, while amelia and Toby are ecstatically in love Into their midst come Jim and Tom, two wideboys who have found themselves lost while on their way to a rave. Their arrival is the catalyst for the couples to re-evaluate their relationships.
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageTwo Up
Synopsis:
The claustrophobic atmosphere of prison is a breeding ground for paranoia. Many relationships fall apart when one partner goes to jail, and very often break down because of the lack of communication. Couples separated by prison do not have the opportunity or, in many cases, the social skills to sit down and talk it out. There are prison visits, but no privacy. There are letters, but the written word does not come easy to many prisoners. Those left to fend for themselves on the outside may have family in whom they can confide, but for those inside there is only a cellmate. and sometimes - often - that is not enough. When inmates spend many days, nights, weeks and months locked in a cell together they soon learn to sense each other's moods. They know when their cellmate needs someone to talk to and when they want to be left alone. In many cases they really know nothing at all about the person they have lived and breathed the same air with for, sometimes, years. You don't have to be alone to be lonely.
Notes:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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