A FORMER student of Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow has had his second short radio play aired on local radio. BBC Essex broadcast Body & Soul at 8pm this Thursday (10^th November) during the Rob Jelly Show, written by former Harlow resident Alan Hall (61), who attended Burnt Mill in the 1970s and now lives in Bishops Stortford. 

Body & Soul is a contemporary tale, about a 30th birthday present for Jessie Hastings – an inspirational history teacher – at an adult dancing club, that she doesn’t want. But then she never thought a school project on “The Strength of Women” would prove to be a decisive factor in the fate of one of her ex-pupils who, much to both their surprise, finds himself giving his former teacher a personal dance !

Body & Soul illustrates the dilemmas that many have to face in life – and how the strength of words can help to choose the right path – through the use of iconic quotes from famous women in history” said Alan, who also produced and directed the play, which was recorded and edited in his front room.

Body & Soul follows the success of Alan’s first radio play, A Stable Home, that was also broadcast on BBC Essex in February. Set in a low-cost budget hotel where a pregnant homeless woman, placed there by the Council, meets a couple on a short break, it sought to change people’s initial misconceptions and stereotypical views about homeless people in temporary accommodation.  

One of the play’s actors was also a Harlow resident and student. Clive Weatherley was a school friend of Alan’s at both Burnt Mill and Tany’s Dell Primary School. Both Alan and Clive will be interviewed about their work by Rob Jelly, who is dedicating a whole hour of his show to the play and it’s background.  The other two actors, Linda Clark and Eloise Jones, have both worked with Alan and Clive before. 

Alan has recently set up Nurturing Productions, a small production company to help nurture local playwrights and actors from East Herts and West Essex, with the intention of establishing a Play-reading group for playwrights and actors from the local area.  His next project is to write a full-length musical, but he’s keeping the details under wraps

Body & Soul can be heard on BBC Essex – 103.5 & 95.3FM – and online live (or after the broadcast on their archive) – search for “BBC Essex live”.  It can also be heard now, in advance, at www.alanhall.one.