SHOEMAKER’S SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 22

SHOEMAKER’S SUCCESS

PLAY WRITTEN AMONG BOOTS How “Contraband” came to be produced at the “Q” Theatre, London, is revealed in an interesting little story, told by Mr. J. S. Warren, its author, a shoemaker at Stockton. Forty-four years of age, he joined the Army in 1906, but after three years’ service was discharged, suffering from heart strain through overindulgence in athletics. Compelled to give up sport he took up wood-carving, and for many years manufactured large pieces of furniture which he carved with his shoemaker’s knife.

This work, however, became too much for him, and about IS months ago he began .writing plays. He has since written three. His first effort was “Georgina,” which he submitted to Mr. J. de Lion, manager of tlie “Q” Theatre. Mr. de Lion was impressed, and offered to produce it if Mr. Warren would agree to the title being changed to “Contraband” and to other minor alterations. Mr. Warren agreed and the play, a three-act drama based on experiences Mr. Warren had in Malta, is now running. Asked how he did his work, Mr. Warren produced a handful of pieces of scrap paper,, and said that whenever he had a few moments to spare from his .work he devoted them to writing out his dialogues. “You see,” he added, “the plot of any play on which I am working is always running through rby mind, so I know exactly where I finish off and can continue immediately I have another opportunity.”