Dec/Jan 2020
|
21
Just how does an orphan, growing up in a poverty-stricken
‘Nostalgia, some light-hearted comedy, and lots of talk about
west London slum, chart a path to becoming one of the most
music, that’s for sure,’ says Alan. ‘There will be excerpts from
important and influential politicians of his generation?
many of the songs which have a particular resonance to the
Alan Johnson, the former postman-turned-home secretary has now become an award-winning and best-selling author. And
stories I tell, as I reflect on some of the key moments of my life.’
he is lifting the lid on his remarkable journey in a brand new
These include his early teenage years, when he and his sister
touring theatre show based on his latest book, ‘In My Life’.
had to find a way through life following the death of Alan’s
‘This is a deeply personal story about politics, pop, power and passion,’ says the 68-year-old, whose memoirs have sold more than half a million copies since the publication of his debut work in 2013. ‘Yes, I’ve held senior offices in Government, but I don’t want people to think this is a show which is just about party politics. First and foremost, it’s about me; memories of my childhood, life growing up in the 1950s, the people and places which have played a significant role in making me who I am today with plenty of comedy, and music.’ Music has always played an important part in Alan’s life. ‘In my teenage years, I certainly wasn’t harbouring any ambitions to be a politician – oh no, I just wanted to be a rock star. I can’t imagine a life without music. I was part of the baby boomer generation which was there right at the start of rock ‘n roll, living through the emergence of acts from Dennis Lotis to
mother when he was just 13 years old; all those teenage musical dreams; stacking shelves at Tesco; and his Post Office work which led to him becoming the youngest ever general secretary of the Union of Communication Workers. After being elected to parliament in 1997 as Labour MP for Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle, he went on to serve in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s cabinets, holding three of the most important cabinet posts – Education Secretary, Health Secretary, and finally Home Secretary until being succeeded by Theresa May in 2010. ‘If people want to talk to me on the tour about my time in Government, of course I’ll be happy to share some of the stories.’ says Alan. ‘But I’m not really interested in any heavyweight blow-for-blow accounts of the rights and wrongs of things. The focus of this show is not about my time in Government.’
Elvis Presley, Lonnie Donegan’s skiffle, and
Alan is currently working on his first
of course The Beatles in the 1960s.
fiction book. ‘It’s still in the early stages
As a songwriter and a guitarist, Alan was part of two swinging sixties bands, The Vampires and The Area, playing gigs around the London area. The Area even recorded a single, ‘Hard Life’, which was hawked around several record labels. Alan looks back on these formative days
so I can’t tell you too much about it,’ he says. ‘But it’s based on an idea I’ve had in my head for some time – a kind of thriller, with romantic and comedy overtones, set in the 17th century. I’m not looking to win a Booker prize, but I like the solitude and the process of producing 80,000 words.’
during the show with great fondness. Not to mention, perhaps, a certain regret that he didn’t continue to play, or write songs beyond his 20s. So what exactly can people expect from the show?
Alan Johnson is at The Apex on December 16th. www.theapex.co.uk