2024-07-16
1 小时 11 分钟My guest today is a British script writer and librettist for Opera.
In 1978, he wrote a sketch for Rowan Atkinson, the actor who later played Mr.
Bean, which Atkinson then performed in the Secret Policeman's Ball, a series of benefit shows organized by John Cleese to raise funds for Amnesty International.
The success of the sketch led my.
Guest to become a writer for BBC2's not the Nine O'Clock News comedy show, and a slew of other TV writing gigs soon followed.
In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles where he began to write libretti for the LA Opera.
In 2016, he directed Stravinsky's the Soldier's Tale for the Los Angeles County Museum.
Of Art, which starred Jack Black in the leading role.
Now he has returned to his comedy roots with the publication of New Rock New Role, a fantasy comic novel about a retired teacher who discovers video games.
While in his 60s.
Welcome, Richard Sparks.
Thank you for having me, son.
Well, I'd like to start by just asking you about that sketch.
So, I mean, there are probably a few key moments in any person's life that can set the trajectory for the life that follows, but it seems like this performance of your sketch was certainly that for you.
Do you remember the first time you saw him perform it and what was your reaction?
Yes, absolutely.
Actually, Rohan saw me and my college roommate do our two man show at Edinburgh.
Before I ever saw Imac, they came up to support us.
It was the Oxford Review Group.
We'd been there a couple of years earlier and they came to support our two little two man show.