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123

The Fall & Fall
of David Jones and the
SPIDERS FROM MARS

by Jeremy Joseph

About this play

The play is based around David Jones, born on the same day with same real name of his hero. He looks for other connections between themselves but his delusional lifestyle sends him spiralling downwards in the opposite direction from the rising star. He ends up facing his own Rock n Roll Suicide.


Performed at The Hawth Studio Theatre

Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 April 2013


Writer’s note:

‘Write what you know about’, it is said. And, if there’s one thing I know anything about, it’s David Bowie, ’72 – ’77. If only that was an O Level!

I was consumed by the man as were so many other teenagers. I followed his every twist and turn from Ziggy through to The Thin White Duke. I studied how he stood, practiced his smile in the mirror and of course learnt the lyrics to the songs. This play though is not about Him and it’s not about me.

It’s a cautionary tale about where aimlessness and fantasy can lead. My thanks to Jo for having the faith to put the play on, to David for translating what was in my head into a show and the cast for researching the era and bringing it all to life.


Director’s note:

…a crash course for the ravers

In the late 1970s I saw David Bowie at the Wembley Arena. I mean I really saw David Bowie at the Wembley Arena. It was the last night of his Thin White Duke world tour.

A friend of mine organised the stewards for gigs like this and for years I had gone along to check the tickets at Gate 22B for various concerts-Floyd, The Eagles, The Faces, Genesis, The Moody Blues (whose support act was, erm…John Denver), Wings, Stone the Crows (remember them!)

….basically any Rock Gods I could see I was there.

We had to sign on at around 3 ready for the doors opening around 6. We were all having a cup of tea about 3.30 in the small dressing room when there was a knock at the door. A mate of mine opened up and there was Bowie asking if it was all right if he could use the toilet as “one of the band had thrown up in his.”

After the shock of seeing him so close we all kind of Wooodstocked-up and thought yeah right on, man… heavy ….bet he was throwing up cos of all the booze, drugs, and endless sex that obviously was going on 24/7 on the road with the Great One.

“Nah-not really. We all went for a curry last night and I think it just didn’t agree with him.”

OK …… Around 4 he started rehearsing and was very unhappy that during one song the guitarist was not really doing what he wanted. “Can you do it like this …” and Bowie picked up the guitar and played it perfectly. This was the last concert of a world tour and he was still seeking perfection. We watched in awe and suddenly they finished and the doors opened and 10,000 Ziggys, Thin White Dukes, Lad- in-Sanes and Cracked Actors piled in. He played for 3 hours with no support and just one short break.

I never met the other David Jones but wished I could have shared a swift half (or 10) …we have a lot in common.

Show Credits

Written by Jeremy Joseph

Directed by David Heley

Art by Annie Burrows

Soundscape by Tim Fifield and Jeremy Joseph

Technical : Sam Jones

Stage management : Jo Joseph & Sophie Waddington

Make-up : Lucy Brennan

Many thanks and love to Luigi, Adrian & Ziggy

Cast

Alex Taylor

Paul Macauley

Duff Eynon

Hannah Charlton

Mandy Masters

Tim Fifield

James Macauley

Avtar Singh-Bains

Bryony Reid

Amy Taylor

Tim Fifield

Bryony Reid

Ray

Annie Burrows


The Diamond Dogs :

  • Jim Asplin (lead guitar),
  • Ben Mills (drums)
  • Dean Elsdon (bass guitar)

Download programme

  • Dead Leaves
  • Julius Caesar
  • No Place Like Home
  • Playing with Fire
  • Surprise
  • The Last Time We Saw You
  • Little Red Riding Hood & Three Little Pigs
  • Shorts III
  • The Gentleman’s Friend
  • The Fall & Fall of David Jones and the Spiders from Mars
  • Touching Bodies
  • Comedians
  • 143 Seconds and Bedtime Stories
  • Wind In The Willows
  • Taming Of The Shrew
  • Not What We Expected
  • Waiting For Maguffin & Mokita
  • Macbeth – The Tracks Of My Tears
  • We All Stood Together & Scratch
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acting amphitheatre audition Bradley Barlow Charlie Joseph comedy David Heley drama Duff Eynon fairy tale family Gary Andrews Jeremy Joseph jo joseph Shakespeare thriller Tim Fifield tragedy

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