Checking in

Heeey! I have only posted 3 times this year! So, to re-assure the planet that I am still here and determined to do things, here's a statement of intent for 2017. 2016 is practically a write-off creativity-wise as there are some very big real life events occuring that mean I can't be as active with my writing career as usual and retain sanity.

So, in 2017 you can expect:

• A Future Boys audio series Kickstarter project first, as mentioned back in January. This should run in Feb 17, and record in March if successful. Previously mentioned 'real life events' necessitated this being pushed back. It's a big project, my biggest to date and I want to be able to devote the time needed to give it a chance at success. I'm very anxious to get started on this proper. The writing is 75% done.
• A new play. I have two drafted, but I would imagine only one will arrive next year, in the summer. I loved doing Global Mega Inc at the Leicester Square Theatre this year so I hope to return their to debut this 'exciting new material' - you've got to say that haven't you.
• A novel. The work has started - it's more than just an idea now, but still very early days. I'm taking the rather unusual route of writing it as a screenplay first to get the structure and plot down, and will expand later. I'm basically throwing everything I learned during my time at University out of the window and writing something that I, not your typical genre reader, would enjoy reading. As such, the form will be somewhat atypical, but hopefully not in a hugely detrimental way.

I, reader, will deliver. I hope you'll throw this shit some attention when it flies (especially the Kickstarter). 

Thanks. You can go now.

Film Wars

This week saw the release of the first episode of a new entertainment podcast about films, presented by Gareth Alexander (film critic for a national UK newspaper) and me. Each week we pick a film to have an argument about, it's great fun.

You can listen on the link below, but I'd suggest you download and subscribe on iTunes!

Super Global Mega Incorporated: Turbo!

In June, I'll be doing this!

‘Super Global Mega Incorporated: Turbo’ – a comedy sketch show from the creative team that brought you 2015’s sell out ‘Global Mega Incorporated’. Featuring new material alongside the best sketches from their barnstorming debut, plus new exciting words in the show title – did you spot them? Go check, we'll wait for you...

The show runs at the Leicester Square Theatre on Thursday June 2nd and Saturday June 4th, 7pm. Tickets are £10.

BOOK NOW!

The eponymous company does a bit of everything, from investigating past lives to launching missions into outer space. Consider the show a grand tour of the world’s most ludicrous enterprise, with a host of insane, depressing and taxing characters, as well as many other adjectives stolen from the difficulty setting of the Lemmings computer game. Did you get that? No? You suck.

Think the traditions of Monty Python, Fry & Laurie and The League of Gentlemen, mixed in a lunch box with some bats and the worst job you’ve ever had – but mostly just the lunch box.

Reviews from Global Mega Incorporated's sell out debut in 2015.

★★★★ '... absurdist humour that would have done the Monty Python team proud... not only was it funny, it was thought-provoking.' - Female Arts.

★★★★ - 'Jordan's writing is carefully thought out, with the characters growing on you the more you spend time with them, so he does indeed manage to tick the truly funny box... confidence and high-energy... You can tell they're all having a lot of a fun together in this show, and it seeps out into the performance... a relatable parody of big business which promises a good time.' - Views from the Gods.

Written by Steve Jordan & Adam Joselyn.
Starring Adam Joselyn, Emma Stirling, Robert Dearn, Ellen Gallager and Steve Jordan.

The Next Phase.

Hi! I thought I'd take some time to tell you about what I'm doing through the 2016/17 season, mainly so that I stick to it. I'm a bit wary of announcing things way ahead of time, but what the heck...

Global Mega Incorporated will return in 2016 with some tweaks and a hefty chunk of new sketches, alongside some of the best from the debut. I'll be writing the bulk, directing and performing again. Really looking forward to it after a sell out debut in 2015, and some great reviews. Should appear in the summer...

I'm very pleased to say that the Future Boys will make their return in a new crowd-funded project, after a trilogy of successful space adventures/theatre productions. The aim is to get their comedy space adventures to a wider audience in the form of audio episodes, that will be recorded in front of an audience. That's a slow burner (hopefully not too slow), but the ground work is well underway. Cliff Chapman and Adam Joselyn will return as Tyler and Gary respectively - exciting!

I'll also be producing Sean Hogan and Kim Newman's The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, which runs at the Tristan Bates for two weeks in March. The cast and creatives behind the project have put together a fantastic show, one I'm ecstatic to call a Bad Bat production. Tickets available now, and not likely to be around too long, so get in there.

I'm also working on a new play that will debut in 2017, maybe sooner, loosely based on a short story of mine. Also, I'll be publishing another small collection of short stories in either 2016/17, depending on how things play out. And finally, after a long wait, my first novel will be finding its way into the world in some #wayshapeorform in 2017.

There some other pipe dreams in the mix too, but that will do for now. I'll just keep doing stuff and hopefully you'll dig it. Some of it. One of it. Maybe.

The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

I'm thrilled to announce that Bad Bat's next theatre production will be The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. I'll be serving as co-producer on this tremendous show. It's a privilege to be working with some of the genre's best-loved writers - it's going to be a belter.

Five people are invited to a fancy dress party on a vintage steam train. The guests were told come in costume as their favourite monster... and every monster has a story to tell.

The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore is a new portmanteau horror play, bringing to the theatre the flavour of vintage Amicus anthologies like Tales from the Crypt and Dr Terror’s House of Horrors. With segments written by acclaimed authors Christopher Fowler, Stephen Gallagher, Kim Newman, Robert Shearman, Lynda E. Rucker and Lisa Tuttle ... wraparound story by director Sean Hogan. 

The show will debut at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden, and will run 7 - 19 March 2016, Monday to Saturday. Tickets £15 / £13 concessions - available now.

Funtasy: Comedy & Humour in Genre Fiction

Hi all! Just a quick note to say that I will be speaking on a panel at this year's Fantasycon. The panel is called 'Funtasy: Comedy & Humour in Genre Fiction', and I will be joined by Frances Hardinge, Heather Lindsley, Terry Newman & Craig Saunders, moderated by Donna Scott. Very happy to contribute.

'Arguably the greatest legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett was to prove that fantasy can be funny without reducing its power to tell great stories and move readers. But it is a delicate balance -- being funny can be a serious business. Our panel discusses uses of humour in genre. Hilarity ensues.'

So, if you want to witness a nervous man talking nonsense, then please do drop by. I will attempt to say at least one interesting thing during the course of the hour. If hilarity does ensue, it won't be my fault.

In other news, I found out this week I was a finalist in last year's Screenwriting Goldmine Awards. Which was nice.

I need to go and write stuff down bye *attention span over*

King Chaos reviews.

Reviews from Steve Jordan's King Chaos - Tristan Bates Theatre, August 2015.

★★★★ - 'Bad Bat have established themselves as seriously hot talent in sci-fi comedy and will surely continue to capitalise on that well-earned reputation. In space, no one can hear you scream. In the Tristan Bates, everyone can you hear you laughing. Because you are.' - Views from the Gods.

★★★★ - '... the arguments made for 'pragmatism versus idealism when in power' make a lasting impression, especially as Tyler and Gary are essentially Trinculo and Stefano (from The Tempest) who find they unwittingly actually have the power to change things' - Female Arts

'King Chaos sets a cracking pace right from the start and never lets up. All (the cast) are excellent and clearly having fun – their enjoyment is infectious. Writer, producer and director, Steve Jordan has created a wonderfully silly and comic sci-fi universe that, with all its nods and winks to other works, stands very much on its own two feet.' - Camden Fringe Voyeur

'The small cast of four very contrasting characters are an absolute delight to watch. The entire hour of the play is joke after joke so there is very little pause between laughs... would make a great television show (Blackadder meets Dr Who) with its fun-filled adventures...' - A Younger Theatre

'King Chaos is, without a doubt, the nerdiest piece of theatre I have seen in a long time. And it was hilarious... possibly the best feature of this show is that, under its light-hearted, comical surface, it is a subtle but perceptive commentary on political manipulation and the dangers of extreme power. It is intelligent and uplifting, touching on intense themes whilst maintaining its playful nature.' - London Theatre 1

'The idea of absolute power corrupting absolutely, no matter what side you think you’re on, is neatly conveyed, the political points made clear but never upstaging the fun and spirit of the show... wonderful, clever comedy...' - Remote Goat

'The lovable characters and witty, at times deep, remarks on issues are the charm of the play... King Chaos absolutely succeeds in making the audience imagine the different settings of an imperial spaceship. Bad Bat Productions is playing to their strengths by not forcedly putting on a cheap sci-fi stage but focusing on doing justice to the script instead.' - West End Wilma