Chris O’Connell is a multi-award winning writer: Winner Fringe First Award 1999, CAR, Edinburgh Festival; Winner Fringe First Award 2001, RAW, Edinburgh Festival; Winner Time Out Live Award, 1999, CAR, London; Awarded Theatre Writers Bursary – Arts Council of England, 1996; Winner of Pearson Television Writers Bursary 1999; Writer in Residence Paines Plough Theatre Co. 1999-2000; Writer in Residence/Tutor Birmingham University M(Phil) Playwrighting 2004-2006; Lead Writer/Tutor Transmissions Festival, Birmingham Repertory Theatre 2006.

Chris is the co-founder of Theatre Absolute (1992-present day) and the co-founder of the company’s Shop Front Theatre, Coventry (2009 to present day).  His work has been performed all over the world and by companies such as Frantic Assembly and the RSC.  He has written for BBC television and BBC Radion 4.

Chris’ Hotbed play FORGIVE OUR PARANOIA takes place in the open air on a secluded coastal beach. It tells the story of sisters Beth and Joy, and their friend Ash. They have arrived from the city in a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence that is controlling their lives.

Interview with Chris

What was the inspiration behind your play?

I wanted to write something that feels connected to and representative of the urban turmoil of our lives – to imagine a future, or indeed what is already a present in some countries and cities, in which populations are rising and huge industrialised and digitalised cities are filling to bursting point. But by writing about cities, I didn’t want to place the story in a city!

What is your greatest ambition?

I don’t consider myself ambitious in a career sense. I am passionate – passions and obsessions drive me from one thing to another, passion makes me write, and aspire to write well.

Who is your favourite writer(s)?

Too many to mention, none singled out. However, one of the first plays I fell in love with, and made me seek out a career in theatre was ‘Comedians’, by Trevor Griffiths. Aspects of it may feel a little dated now, but the writing is raw, political, angry, and truthful.

When was the last time you laughed out loud and why?

At some or other monstrosity on Masterchef.

Click on this link for reviews of Chris’ work