Miran Hadzic is the author of “In Happy Time”, one of three pieces designed for this season’s Omniwrite.
Miran has had work staged at the Old Red Lion, Arcola and The Pleasance Islington. He has worked with writers groups at the Royal Court and for the Forum for Young European Playwrights in Wiesbaden, Germany. His most recent play, The Day After (They Went Off On One), was nominated for an Origins Award at this year’s VAULT Festival.
Could you give us a brief summary of your play?
In Happy Time is about a young man who wants to deal with problems in his family, his love-life, his work, but doesn’t know how to.
What inspired you to write it?
Initially I had questions about atheism and anti-theism that I wanted to explore, and what is the link between our belief and our behaviour. The play is less about this now and more of a family drama – although hopefully some of that stuff still lurks somewhere below.
Tell us about some of the relationships in the play.
Yvonne and Harry are mother and son who live together. Yvonne has recently divorced Harry’s father, who now lives in America. Harry is unemployed and Yvonne works full-time. Their relationship is fraught and funny, I hope.
How do you approach your writing? Do you have a regular routine?
Writing is a curious blend of instinct and planning which I haven’t quite got to grips with yet. Perhaps you never do. I try to have a regular routine but it seems to change with every new play. Six months ago I would have said it’s all about planning; now I mistrust planning and I want to go more by instinct. It’s a bit tumultuous but that tension is probably the source of good work.
How do you see this piece of work evolving?
I want to see the piece evolve into a family drama in which the form becomes infected by the content, as Harry’s state of mind becomes more and more unpredictable. I want the play to explode in slow-motion and I want to make it more comical as well. Middle-class angst is funny, being the only class that outwardly expresses disdain for itself.
What are you hoping for from your showcase at Omnibus?
A blistering performance, alongside a big pot of money from a mysterious donor to help me finish writing the play. Failing that, a fun night at Omnibus.
Omniwrite is on Sunday 22 November at 7.30pm.
Tickets: £10 | £8 concessions
Ticket price includes a free drink and nibbles.
