Writer and performer Nathan Queeley-Dennis on Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz - his award-winning play about a young man approaching his quarter life crisis.

“I proper thought I was gonna be a hybrid, edgy, sexy kind of brum town Basquiat with a garnish of Banksy and national treasure potential of David Hockney.”

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz follows Nathaniel; a young man approaching what appears to be his quarter life crisis, exploring Black masculinity through Beyoncé lyrics, techno raves and the deeply intimate relationship a man has with his barber.

Nathan Queeley-Dennis is an actor born and raised in Erdington, Birmingham. His acting credits include Black Love (Kiln Theatre) written by Chinonyerem Odimba, Really Big and Really Loud (Paines Plough) written by Phoebe Eclair-Powell and A Taste Of Honey (National Theatre).

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz is your first play – what inspired you to write it?

“It’s a funny one really, there’s so many different aspects that brought me to write this play; from trying to push myself creatively, the feeling of disappointment within myself, and my own frustrations with our industry. But at the heart of it all it’s really about sharing a voice and showing a story that I think is very rarely shown, but is so prominent in making me and the people I grew up with who we are.”

Tell us about your journey as a playwright?

“My journey has literally just begun! Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz is my first play that I’ve written and the first play I’ve shared out of the confines of my close friends. However, it’s a journey I’m super excited to start, I’ve had a lot of ideas over the years and a lack of confidence has stopped me from following through, but the Bruntwood kind of told me that it was time to get some stuff off my chest.”

What or who inspires you as a writer?

“I’m inspired by so many different things; it depends which way the wind is blowing to be honest. I’m inspired by my peers, colleagues and friends. I love to see talented people be talented and surround myself with that, kind of like an ‘iron sharpens iron’ situation. As an actor, I’ve been very lucky to work closely with some amazing writers, such as Chinonyerem Odimba and 2019 Bruntwood Prize Winner Phoebe Eclair-Powell. Just observing the way they carry themselves, share and discuss their work and treat others is an honour.”

How did you feel about winning the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting with your first play?

“I think what the Bruntwood Prize does in its thorough reading process and anonymity is really special. It offers an actual genuine opportunity to any writer at any point in their career as there are no other intangible factors that can sway decisions. All that is out there is the work that is created and that’s the most important thing.”