10 Questions - Julius Ayodeji
Published 17 April 2009
Our new 10 questions series digs a little deeper into the hearts and minds of some of the artists taking part in this year's showcase. We begin with...Julius Ayodeji
'''Ten Questions'''
'''Name:''' Julius Ayodeji
'''Role:''' Writer
'''Showcase Performance:''' 57 Images of My Father
'''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
Public transport, dreams and reading books, newspaper combine usually leading to images first and then story second.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
Seeing the correctly exposed 16mm film footage for the first time sticks in my mind.
'''3. Where in the world would you most like to perform… and why?'''
I like local, out of the way places where it really feels like the audience want to be there and therefore give the work a chance to connect, so anywhere like that really.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
The habit of reading so much has led me to writing so the public library has probably had the most affect.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
Having my debut play, written on a whim after seeing a playwrighting competition poster, published by Methuen drama and then seeing my name in same catalogue as Pinter and Beckett is the best moment so far.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with…and why?'''
Mixture between Robert Lepage who's work I absolutely love and a member of the public who I don't know.
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
The best jobs I have ever had are the ones that make me realise that what I do is a privilege. So pulling cables out of pipes for a factory soon to be demolished was a good job, digging holes in grounds was a good one. Production line jobs were also good as the physical rhythm left time for my mind to wander, an important part of my creative process. So smashing eggs for mayonnaise, dodging the mouse nestled in the cardboard boxes was a good one, stuffing pork into pork pie cases as they flew past was another!
'''8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?'''
More writing than teaching
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
Writing is what I do. Expressing myself to myself first and foremost is important to my life.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
I would like the idea of risk, unfinished, experimental, undecided, to be more valued, more prominent and to be valued as such by audiences, moneyholders and critics.
