My script doodle in the manuscript for ‘The Marilyn Conspiracy’ performed for 6 weeks at The Park Theatre, London 2026.

WAITING AND EVERLASTING POETRY AT PAPER POETRY

stage fright

my worst nightmare

Still from ‘Apple — STREPSILS’ Commercial (Cannes nomination Best Commercial 1995) Production: Blink directed by Doug Foster. And that’s ME.

i know it will come
that blinding light of recall
for that is how it is
and how it’s always been
a momentary blip in the being of an actor
no remembrance of what has been said
or knowledge of what follows thereafter
the mind as dry as the wide Sahara
sun rising on the horizons of thought
but what if it doesn’t
what if the sun permanently sets —
forever
what if words elude the speaker
no inspired flash of insight
what if the mind shuts down
and all becomes
the most terrifying of experiences
like wading through sand naked
what if waiting really does become forever
and forever a straight jacket of fear
bound by anxiety
one’s worst nightmare
but for now what seems hours
pass only as minutes
before the doors open
and words
momentarily lost in suspended animation
flood the mouth with sound
but what if … what if they don’t
(slow intake of breath)
it doesn’t…