GRAFT
Tales of an Actor

ORIGINS:

GRAFT Tales of an Actor was published by Oberon Books in 1998. In May 2000 George Dillon adapted the book for a rehearsed reading and gave his first preview performance on his birthday, 27th July, before taking the production to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

The performing script is approximately 30% of the book. Other than being shorter the text is the same as in the book - and besides one or two (obviously) improvised bits, no words have been altered or added. One story has changed position in the order and one story (YMCA) has been omitted.

CREDITS:

Like Dillon's previous solo shows, GRAFT is the result of a vigorous self-sufficiency in pursuit of an antidote to the frustration of a total absence of control over one's art, career and life which is the common actor's lot. The book was written by Steven Berkoff, the music is from various CDs (see below), the (colour) pre-publicity photos were taken by Robert Workman (with make-up by Cicely Connelly and Masks by Madeleine Anderson) and the (b/w) production shots are by Marc Marnie. Other than that, Graft has been adapted, directed, designed and produced by George Dillon, who also maintains the web site - www.georgedillon.com.

MUSIC:

During the show you'll hear several tracks from 'Mishima' by Philip Glass with other tracks coming from 'Metal Box' by P.I.L., 'Once upon a time in America' by Ennio Morricone and a bit of Symphonic Pink Floyd.

THANKS:

George Dillon would like to thank Steven Berkoff for his inspiring genius and friendship, Joanna Marston for her support, Denise Evans for helping in my hour of need, Tim Hawkins and Dave Lavender for putting their money in their mouths, Peter Nash and Martin Sharp for their faith and encouragement and Melanie, Orla and Teige for putting up with my madness.

DEDICATION:

I wish to dedicate Graft to the memory of John Cargill Thompson who was to me a dear friend and wise counsellor.

A PERSONAL NOTE:

NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS

Harry's story is very nearly my story. Very nearly, but, thank God, not quite. In some ways Harry's career has been more successful than mine. The privilege of getting funded to go to drama school, whole seasons of rep and even a plum role in the capitol - these are the hi-spots of an ordinary actor's career which have somehow passed me by. Though I have always craved the ordinary bread-and-butter engagements of a jobbing actor my path has been that of the doggedly determined, self-motivated, poor but fulfilled, unrecognised but acclaimed artisan/artist. However I have many experiences in common with Harry, as must all actors barring the lucky few who are either born into success or win the lottery of the early break. The details are boring and depressing, suffice to say that if any industry insider tells you that the average actor's life does not feature rejection, humiliation, deceit, loneliness and even betrayal (and, yes, self-pity) then they are either self-deluded, a fool or a liar - probably all three. Yes, there's no business like show business - it's rotten to the core.

HEY KIDS LET'S PUT ON A SHOW

I'd already staged 4 of his short stories when Steven Berkoff hinted to me that he had written a new collection. The phrase I recall is "Have I got some stories for you!?" So when GRAFT was published in 1998 I opened it hungrily, the page by chance falling open at the lines "I'm his client, Penny, I think he'll remember me!" I had had a reputable agent for 6 years, but they had seemed all but unaware of my existence ("You're never available!" "But K., I've been available for the last year!" "Oh, have you?") so I'd left K. and gone with her newly independent ex-assistant, coincidentally named P... but P. had thrown in the towel after just 3 months, so I was out in the cold (where I remain to this day) with a toddler and a babe in arms to support. In these circumstances GRAFT was too painful, too damned close to the bone and the continuance of my acting career too insecure and too foolish to realistically maintain and I accepted a dodgy invitation to join a dot.com start up. Two years later the dot.com opportunity had turned into a nightmare and a timely conversation with Steven led to GRAFT suddenly becoming a more attractive proposition. I had by now developed a healthy distance from the material (and from the industry) and relished the irony of making my come-back by blowing the whistle on the crummy reality of an actor's every day life and deaths.

MY LIFE'S MISSION

So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I give you (almost) my life - GRAFT Tales of an Actor - and if by so doing I can deter one talented youngster from throwing their own life away on this godforsaken profession I will have succeeded in my mission!

George Dillon, February 2001