Yorkshire Kernel
About The Play
Danny once again collaborated with his long-time artistic friends Badapple Theatre Company to create a brand new one-man show.
The shows inception started when Danny suggested to Kate Bramley (Artistic Director of Badapple) that they could do a show that focuses on trees. Kate liked the idea and suggested Danny write it as a one-man show so that they could tour is to smaller venues with their "No Hall Too Small" scheme.
Thus, work began on an idea. Inspired by the veteran's Danny worked with in the production of Bomb Happy, he wanted to link the idea of remembrance with the trees. The story focused on an ancient oak tree, The Cowthorpe Oak, that meant a lot to protagonist James' Grandad who had planted seeds from the trees as living memorials for his fallen comrades.
On a sillier note, Danny also liked the idea of a plain-speaking, no nonsense Yorkshire Grandad...as a puppet. The idea worked and the story took the audience around the country with a range of multi-rolled characters and a puppet.
Neatly kept together with Kate Bramley's deft direction, Yorkshire Kernel was truly a show that made people laugh and cry.
Suffer Fools Gladly
About The Play
This was the first play Danny wrote for Badapple back in 2020.
During the lockdown, Kate asked Danny if he'd be interesting in writing a radio play for Badapple's podcasts. This was an opportunity not to be missed but Danny had one request: that he could write it as a play and then turn it into a radio play after that. Kate gave him the nod and off he went to work.
The play was recorded via the internet with Danny and Kate in Yorkshire and fellow actor Anastacia Benham recording in Australia...!
Fast-forward a month or so later and the lockdown looked like it was to ease, so in September 2020, Suffer Fools Gladly toured around outdoor venues including a barn, a church car park, a camp site and several gardens...only one show of which was performed in the pouring rain!
The show tells the story of Court Jester Ozzy who is banished from the Kingdom Of Marillion by Queen Avril for telling her that her bum looked big in her dress. Meanwhile, Jagger, the more cunning and manipulative court jester begins to take over and all havoc ensues. Ozzy finds himself on earth and meets moody teenager Stevie whose Dad dreams of becoming a Freddie Mercury Tribute act.
Suffer Fools Gladly, whilst packed full of rock music references and political satire was a play about the importance of telling the truth in a world where lies run rampant.
Undermined
About The Play
Danny's first ever play. The 5 star rated Undermined.
Originally formed when studying at Royal Welsh, Danny had to write, direct and act in his own show. He chose to create a one man play about the 1984 UK Miners' Strike.
Danny's fascination with the subject came from his interest in local history, and, being from Rotherham, the strike was a huge part of its recent past. Danny did extensive research for the play by watching documentaries, reading books, articles and diaries. One diary in particular stood out for him: "Yorkshire's Flying Picketer's" by Bruce Wilson.
'Shafted' was formed, a 30 minute piece about miner Dale and his three mates during the strike. It was a success and Danny's Head Of Acting at Royal Welsh encouraged him to take the show further.
Meeting with best friend and creative collaborator Ben Butcher work began on creating an hour long production called 'Undermined'. Danny even met Bruce Wilson, author of the aforementioned Diary over a pint (or several) at a local pub where he told stories that made him laugh, cry and rage. This helped colour the feel of Undermined, a story that takes sudden turns of joy to rage, from laughter to tears, to present the strike in an accurate and truthful way for those who experienced it.
Undermined toured the UK several times and has been a huge part of Danny's career. It's a play that remains his favourite work to date.
