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An Omniwrite Q & A with… Segun Lee-French

By September 13, 2016No Comments

Segun Lee-French is the writer of Jimmy Jimmy, one of three brand new pieces debuting at Omniwrite

Segun has worked as a singer, poet, composer, playwright, film-maker & club promoter. As singer for triphop band, Earthling, he toured across Europe, performing on MTV, BBC1, VH1 & Canal 5. As a poet & playwright, Segun’s work has been commissioned for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Radio Manchester. Segun’s debut solo show, Bro 9 at Contact Theatre, won Best Fringe Performer & Best Design in the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2003. Segun has been nominated for the Arts Foundation Performance Poetry award and his first poetry collection, Praise Songs for Aliens, was published in 2009. His most recent play Palm Wine & Stout was featured on Radio 4 Midweek and toured the UK in 2014.

What is the piece about?

Imagine that you went to bed one night and woke up the next morning in someone else’s body 25 years later on a different continent. This is a story about legendary jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott and how he finds himself in the body of a Mancunian karaoke singer.

How have you found the support at Omnibus?

Omnibus is very attentive. Saffron has been an extremely encouraging and enthusiastic advocate since she saw the birth of this piece a couple of months ago.

How important is Omnibus in developing your work?

It’s wonderful to have someone who can give positive, intelligent and constructive feedback during the writing process.

Whats next and how can people follow you?

Next, I will write some more scenes for Jimmy Jimmy and gradually work it up to a full length play. The idea has taken a couple of years to brew so far. I was happy for it to grow organically, but it feels like it is picking up momentum now. People can follow me on Facebook: my page is called Segun’s Waking Dreams.

Any shout outs?

Respect to Dee Morgan of Nitrobeat who helped to spark off the initial conception and gave Jimmy Jimmy its first exposure.

Omniwrite is on Friday 16 September at 7.30pm.

Tickets: £12 | £10

More information and book tickets here

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