Anthony Neilson: 'My advice for writers? Thou shalt not bore'

In our Play Talk series, playwrights discuss the joys and struggles of the writing life. This week, Anthony Neilson returns to the Royal Court with The Prudes (his 2016 play, Unreachable, starred Matt Smith and left audiences in stitches) - he tells us what inspired him to write it.

What was the first play to make you want to write plays?

I didn't want to write plays but then I wrote one. So the first play that made me want to write plays was my first play.

What was your background to becoming a playwright?

My father was a director, my mother an actress. Someone had to provide the material, I guess.

What’s the hardest play you’ve ever written?

My hardest play was Stitching (still banned in Malta!). Unreachable was the hardest one to write.

Which brought you the most joy?

They all brought me some joy. But the neglected ones, like Relocated and Narrative, have a special place in my heart.

Which playwrights have influenced you the most?

The bad ones.

What is your favourite line or scene from any play?

"You let loose some geese!" from The Wonderful World of Dissocia, which is advice on how to sabotage a Wild Goose Chase. And most of the lines delivered by the great Barnaby Powers, including "Are you serving up a portion?" and "It says I've died".

What’s been your biggest setback as a writer?

Me.

And the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn?

The right thing to do for your play is often the wrong thing to do for your career.

What do you think is the best thing about theatre? And the worst?

The best thing is that it's live. The worst thing is that too often you would hardly know.

What’s your best piece of advice for writers who are starting out?

Thou Shalt Not Bore. (Always worth repeating).

Are there any themes and stories you find yourself re-visiting with your plays?

I try not to repeat myself. But talking animals come up quite often. People love a talking animal.

Are you on Twitter? Do you find it a help or a hindrance as a writer?

I am not on Twitter. A form that relies on rapid response whilst discouraging nuance is risky for contrarians.

Why did you write The Prudes?

I wanted to write about the temporary loss of libido in relationships. It's very common but not much addressed and I think I've found a funny way to do it. I'm also interested in how recent sexual politics might impact our sex lives going forward. It's not as dry as you might think...was the other title I considered. But we went with The Prudes.

How do you spend opening night?

In the theatre watching my show. Strange question.

What’s the best play you’ve seen this year?

I'll say this: it didn't get nominated for an Olivier.

What’s your favourite place to watch theatre in London?

The Royal Court, of course.

What other art forms do you love when you’re not in a theatre?

Movies. From the high-brow to the very, very low.

If the Prime Minister said they were abolishing the theatre tomorrow, what would you do?

Self-immolate outside the Houses of Parliament. Why? Is it in the manifesto?

The Prudes runs at the Royal Court until June 2; royalcourttheatre.com