Before my son learned to drive I would have to spend hours in the car with him. Collecting him from school, taking him to gigs (he was very musical) and parties, taking him and his chums out to the Forest of Dean for some mountain biking. At the time it occasionally felt like a chore, but in hindsight I miss it so much, the opportunity to talk, to catch up on his life, share some of his concerns in a non-formal setting. When he passed his driving test (at the first attempt) it proved the end of an era. Although on the plus side it meant I never have to listen to Green Day ever again.
10 Famous People is based on all those car journeys, a Road movie for the radio. Carl and his Dad are heading to Swindon for a scheduled weekend. They haven’t been getting on and both have things on their mind they are reluctant to discuss. Will they be able to patch up their differences and rebuild their relationship? It’s not very plotted, a father and son not getting on, then slowly beginning to put aside their differences as they listen to some cool sounds and deal with the deadliest roundabout in Christendom, the Magic Roundabout in Swindon.
It’s taken a surprisingly long time to get produced, mainly due to COVID, but I was very fortunate to find some excellent actors – Stanley Kayley and Andy Duncan – and get them into the same space at the same time. Anyway, now its recorded and awaiting a decision from BBC Upload.
Stephen Connolly Writer 