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Julie Balloo Interview

Posted on 21 April 2004. © Copyright 2004-2024 WriteWords
A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
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WriteWords talks to Julie Balloo, theatre, radio, sketch, stand-up and novel writer, whose most recent plays will be on this year at the Edinburgh Festival.

What’s your writing background? Give us a biog- please mention play titles and where they went on, books, radio, other writing, any awards etc

In 1986 I began my career as a stand up comic, worked in most pubs in London, both behind the microphone and the bar. I completed a play writing course with David Mowat, then wrote the following: Dinner and a Movie, One act Play, Produced for the London New Play festival, 1989, Dream Believer, Two act Play, Hen & Chickens Fringe Theatre, 1990; Dear Jenny, Dear Julie, R4 Comedy series, 1990, Co-written with Jenny Éclair; Clay, Play, LNPF 1990. Man in the Moon Theatre, 1991; Edinburgh Festival 1992, Women's Workshop, New York 1992, Melbourne Arts Factory 1993; Thirtysomehow Stage Play, Co-written 1990 for Edinburgh Festival, Pick of the Perrier 1990, Lyric Hammersmith 1991, Ch4 Small stages season 1991; Pilot comedy for Ch4, Mummy's Little Girl, Co-written with and for Jenny Éclair at the Donmar Warehouse, London; Sticks & Stones, drama script for BBC2, 1993; On Baby Street (Co-written with Jenny Eclair) Six part comedy series, R4 1995, programme. 95- 96. Girls behaving Badly or Worse, A comedy book , published by Orion, November 1996, Mrs Nosy Parker, A monologue co-written with and for Jenny Eclair, and nominated for the 1998 LWT Comedy Writing Award at this years Edinburgh Festival.Just Juliette, 1999, comedy series for Radio 4, written with Jenny Éclair and much, much more. Most recently, The Right Time, Radio 4, sketch show, second series, 2003, Guest Editor for Borkowski Pr, on-line newsletter, Liquid Soap, regular features contributor to the Badmothersclub website, just completed novel, The Rose Lane Musical Society.

How did you start writing?

I’ve always written, as a small child I used to think in the third person, very odd I know but it’s starting to make sense now. I only started getting serious after doing a two year play writing course at the Actors Centre in London taught by David Mowatt back in 1988.

Who are your favourite writers and why?

I do tend to favour female writers, Dorothy Parker, Fay Weldon, Barbara Vine, the Bronte sisters, I’ve just finished Zoe Heller’s latest and found it beautifully written, I adore Tim Winton for his imagery and the sheer magic of his words.

How did you get your first agent/commission?

My first commission was for a radio sitcom pilot which was offered after a BBC producer saw Jenny Éclair and I doing stand up comedy in 1988. I got my first agent a few years later after a successful play presented at the Edinburgh Festival.

What was your breakthrough moment ?

There have been a couple, firstly co-writing and acting in the black comedy ‘Thirtysomehow’ in 1990 which after a sell out season at Edinburgh transferred to London and was later filmed for Channel Four and just recently when I’ve had to take stock and reinvent myself writing fiction rather than scripts.

What's the worst thing about writing?

Never really knowing if anything you’ve written is any good, constantly wondering if you’ve really got anything to say that anyone really wants to hear. It’s a bit like doing live comedy, 200 people could be laughing their heads off but if just one person tells you they didn’t find you funny then that’s the only voice I hear.

And the best?

Losing yourself in your writing, not noticing the time flying by. If it’s a comedy hearing an audience laughing at your lines, not having to wear tights and a suit.

What kind of response do you get from your audience?

Mixed, I like to make them laugh and make them cry and sometimes terrify the living daylights out of them. I wrote a play called Clay, where a clay model of a human head comes to life, we did this during a brief black out where the model was scooped up and hidden under a table and an actor squatting on his knees put his head up through he table and took up the same pose. It was a few minutes before he moved so no one noticed and boy did they yelp when they did.



A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member.






Comments by other Members



Nell at 19:30 on 21 April 2004  Report this post
Great interview, Julie. I've been listening to Just Juliette on Radio 7 and it's hilarious.

Jubbly at 20:12 on 21 April 2004  Report this post
Oh thank you Nell. I didn't even know they were repeating it, more money for me I hope.

old friend at 07:38 on 22 April 2004  Report this post
Hi Julie,

It is nice to 'listen' to someone who has achieved much through hard work, dedication and belief in herself. Add to this your skills and talent and you can't go wrong. You shall achieve your dreams... I know this for I 'can feel it in me water' - and me water never lies!

All success!

Len

olebut at 08:18 on 22 April 2004  Report this post
Julie

great to hear a little of what you have achieved. There has to be a whole sketch in the nappy inicident

take care

david x

anisoara at 12:37 on 22 April 2004  Report this post
Jubbly --

I loved this! Knowing you from the site makes this maybe the best interview ever!

Ani

Junie Girl at 19:25 on 22 April 2004  Report this post
Julie,
Just returned to this site after a long absence because of a knockout illness.I have been so depressed because of the illness but mostly because it seemed to take every ounce of writing ability away from me. I am struggling but truly cheered up to read your interview. What a great resume you have! Best of luck to you-altho I think you have that well in hand!
I am hoping I will have a breakthrough soon and be writing again.
God Bless. June

buccaneer at 22:26 on 22 April 2004  Report this post
Julie,
Well done.

TeeFoley at 01:53 on 26 April 2004  Report this post
Jubbly. Am not at all surprised by your nomination, not at all and whatsoever.
You are truly gifted, not only in your outlook but also.. and most importantly, your non-egotistical voice amongst people, real people, particularly women, sorry to sound sexist, but it's true.
Cut the rope of conscience and sore to your highest level, you are, without a doubt, a true individual. Gifted, liked, understood and real. Don't forget it hun......xx

Tee Foley.
April 2004
Go for it Jubbly......watch this space.

Jubbly at 06:44 on 29 April 2004  Report this post
Again, I want to thank everyone for their wonderfully kind and supportive comments. It's an honour to be thought so highly of amongst such a lovely group of writers, onwards and upwards everyone.

Love

Julie
xx

Zigeroon at 18:46 on 29 April 2004  Report this post

This success thing sounds so ordinary, perhaps it's the way you tell it.

How do you get BBC 7?

olebut at 08:53 on 30 April 2004  Report this post
BBC 7 is a digital station or you can listen to it on the internet

Becca at 07:30 on 08 May 2004  Report this post
Good interview Julie, your tips for new writers was excellent.
Becca.

Hilary Custance at 23:00 on 15 May 2004  Report this post
Julie, just dropped in on a rare visit to the site after an equally rare happy hour writing, much enjoyed your account and all your achievements. Hilary


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