Friday 11 December 2015

The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

I'm thrilled to announce that Bad Bat's next theatre production will be The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. I'll be serving as co-producer on this tremendous show. It's a privilege to be working with some of the genre's best-loved writers - it's going to be a belter.

Five people are invited to a fancy dress party on a vintage steam train. The guests were told come in costume as their favourite monster... and every monster has a story to tell.

The Ghost Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore is a new portmanteau horror play, bringing to the theatre the flavour of vintage Amicus anthologies like Tales from the Crypt and Dr Terror’s House of Horrors. With segments written by acclaimed authors Christopher Fowler, Stephen Gallagher, Kim Newman, Robert Shearman, Lynda E. Rucker and Lisa Tuttle ... wraparound story by director Sean Hogan. 

The show will debut at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden, and will run 7 - 19 March 2016, Monday to Saturday. Tickets £15 / £13 concessions - available now.

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Funtasy: Comedy & Humour in Genre Fiction

Hi all! Just a quick note to say that I will be speaking on a panel at this year's Fantasycon. The panel is called 'Funtasy: Comedy & Humour in Genre Fiction', and I will be joined by Frances Hardinge, Heather Lindsley, Terry Newman & Craig Saunders, moderated by Donna Scott. Very happy to contribute.

'Arguably the greatest legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett was to prove that fantasy can be funny without reducing its power to tell great stories and move readers. But it is a delicate balance -- being funny can be a serious business. Our panel discusses uses of humour in genre. Hilarity ensues.'

So, if you want to witness a nervous man talking nonsense, then please do drop by. I will attempt to say at least one interesting thing during the course of the hour. If hilarity does ensue, it won't be my fault.

In other news, I found out this week I was a finalist in last year's Screenwriting Goldmine Awards. Which was nice.

I need to go and write stuff down bye *attention span over*

Saturday 15 August 2015

King Chaos reviews.

Reviews from Steve Jordan's King Chaos - Tristan Bates Theatre, August 2015.

★★★★ - 'Bad Bat have established themselves as seriously hot talent in sci-fi comedy and will surely continue to capitalise on that well-earned reputation. In space, no one can hear you scream. In the Tristan Bates, everyone can you hear you laughing. Because you are.' - Views from the Gods.

★★★★ - '... the arguments made for 'pragmatism versus idealism when in power' make a lasting impression, especially as Tyler and Gary are essentially Trinculo and Stefano (from The Tempest) who find they unwittingly actually have the power to change things' - Female Arts

'King Chaos sets a cracking pace right from the start and never lets up. All (the cast) are excellent and clearly having fun – their enjoyment is infectious. Writer, producer and director, Steve Jordan has created a wonderfully silly and comic sci-fi universe that, with all its nods and winks to other works, stands very much on its own two feet.' - Camden Fringe Voyeur

'The small cast of four very contrasting characters are an absolute delight to watch. The entire hour of the play is joke after joke so there is very little pause between laughs... would make a great television show (Blackadder meets Dr Who) with its fun-filled adventures...' - A Younger Theatre

'King Chaos is, without a doubt, the nerdiest piece of theatre I have seen in a long time. And it was hilarious... possibly the best feature of this show is that, under its light-hearted, comical surface, it is a subtle but perceptive commentary on political manipulation and the dangers of extreme power. It is intelligent and uplifting, touching on intense themes whilst maintaining its playful nature.' - London Theatre 1

'The idea of absolute power corrupting absolutely, no matter what side you think you’re on, is neatly conveyed, the political points made clear but never upstaging the fun and spirit of the show... wonderful, clever comedy...' - Remote Goat

'The lovable characters and witty, at times deep, remarks on issues are the charm of the play... King Chaos absolutely succeeds in making the audience imagine the different settings of an imperial spaceship. Bad Bat Productions is playing to their strengths by not forcedly putting on a cheap sci-fi stage but focusing on doing justice to the script instead.' - West End Wilma

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Terror Tales of Wales - British Fantasy Award nomination.

I'm delighted to say that Terror Tales of Wales, edited by Paul Finch and featuring my short story 'The Offspring', has been nominated for a British Fantasy Award 2015 in the category of Best Anthology.

Absolutely chuffed and so pleased for Paul and all the other contributors. Congratulations to all the other nominees this year, and good luck.

Terror Tales of Wales features:

Under the Windings of the Sea by Ray Cluley
Old as the Hills by Steve Duffy
The Druid’s Rest by Reggie Oliver
Swallowing a Dirty Seedby Simon Clark
The Face by Thana Niveau
Don’t Leave Me Down Here by Steve Lockley
Matilda of the Night by Stephen Volk
The Sound of the Sea by Paul Lewis
The Flow by Tim Lebbon
The Offspring by Steve Jordan
Dialled by Bryn Fortey
The Rising Tide by Priya Sharma
Apple of their Eyes by Gary Fry
Learning the Language by John Llewellyn Probert

Wednesday 10 June 2015

King Chaos - Tristan Bates Theatre, 10-15 August 2015.

'A new one-hour science fiction comedy play about morality, power and corruption (in space), and successor to the critically-acclaimed Future Boys stage adventures, Pilgrim Shadow’ and Dead Static, written and directed by Steve Jordan.

The show runs at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden as part of this year’s Camden Fringe Festival, from Monday 10th August to Saturday 15th August 2015, 7.45pm. This will be our fifth Camden Fringe festival as contributors. Tickets are on sale now!

It's the future! King Jeffrey, compassion-vacuum and ruler of a evil galactic empire known as 'the Syndicate', commands the universe with an iron fist of idiocy and self-obsession. For years the Syndicate have hunted Tyler and Gary, two petty criminals turned freedom fighters. Having discovered their fortune and rallied an army to their cause, they embark on an audacious mission to capture the Syndicate throne and end Jeffrey’s reign of terror and incompetence. They succeed, but... what are they supposed to do now?

Will Tyler and Gary put their differences aside to make the universe a better place, or will their egos make things infinitely, impossibly worse? Just who are the good guys anyway? Power corrupts, and there is only room on the throne for one... You won't want to miss this fast-paced game of intrigue, cunning & stupidity!

Words about the Tyler and Gary’s previous stage adventures...

'Any time spent with these characters is a joy.' - Gareth Alexander, Views from the Gods, reviewing Pilgrim Shadow (★★★★), 2013.

'Exciting and hilarious science fiction…' - Tessa Hart, Remote Goat, reviewing Pilgrim Shadow (★★★★), 2013.

'Splendidly thoughtful and hilarious…' - James Bacon, Forbidden Planet International, reviewing Dead Static, 2012.

'The makings of a classic series.' – Alan Hindle, Snipe London, reviewing Dead Static, 2012.

Starring:
Cliff Chapman as ‘Tyler’
Adam Joselyn as ‘Gary’
Emma Stirling as ‘Sponge’
Robert Dearn as ‘Jeffrey’
Produced by Steve Jordan & Ellen Gallagher for Bad Bat Productions.'
taken from badbat.co.uk

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Global Mega Incorporated reviews.

'That, as they say, is that. For now. Our new comedy sketch show Global Mega Incorporated was a fantastic success and a huge amount of fun. Thank you so much to everyone who came to our show last week at the Etcetera Theatre - a sell out run!

Congratulations to our hard working cast - Cliff Chapman(Jeremiah), Emma Stirling (Percy), Adam Joselyn (Edwin), Ellen Gallagher (Hyacinth) and Steve Jordan (Thomas). The show was directed and written by Steve Jordan, with sketch contributions by cast members Ellen Gallagher and Adam Joselyn, plus Graeme Hurry, writer and editor of KZINE. Thank you to our technician and operator Tom Bexon, and to all the staff at the Etcetera Theatre - still the best place in London to debut new comedy.

Reviews from our three night debut at the Etcetera Theatre, April 2015.

★★★★ - 'Jordan's writing is carefully thought out, with the characters growing on you the more you spend time with them, so he does indeed manage to tick the truly funny box... The cast and creatives behind Global Mega Inc are perhaps better known on the fringe circuit for humorous sci-fi plays rather than sketch comedy, but this does seem like a natural sidestep, and one which they make with confidence and high-energy. You can tell they're all having a lot of a fun together in this show, and it seeps out into the performance. Whether you've been the wage slave at the bottom of the corporate pyramid or the evil manager at the top, Global Mega Inc is a relatable parody of big business which promises a good time.' - Shona Barker, Views from the Gods.

★★★★ '... absurdist humour that would have done the Monty Python team proud... not only was it funny, it was thought-provoking, while still putting across different points of view... on the strength of their latest material, Bad Bat have acquired a new found confidence and ‘maturity’ (if that’s the right word to use for comedy!) in their work as they broaden their material and write not only gags, but have something to say about today’s world.' - Michael David, Female Arts.

Bad Bat will now look ahead to this year's Camden Fringe festival in August when we'll be debuting a brand new comedy play by Steve Jordan at the Tristan Bates Theatre. More details soon!' - taken from badbat.co.uk

Thursday 19 March 2015

Global Mega Incorporated

I'm currently in rehearsals for this, both as director and performer. I'm also one of the co-writers. Basically, I'm quite heavily involved.

'Bad Bat Productions presents ‘Global Mega Incorporated’ - a new comedy sketch show about the tribulations of a wayward corporation on the brink of destruction.

Led by the bombastic and slightly mental Jeremiah Baptiste, the eponymous company does a bit of everything, from investigating people’s past lives to launching missions into outer space. Consider the show a grand tour of the world’s most ludicrous enterprise. Is the company destined for success? Doomed to failure? IT MATTERS.

So, what should you expect? Think the traditions of Monty PythonFry & Laurie and The League of Gentlemen, mixed in a lunch box with some bats and the worst job you’ve ever had – but mostly just the lunch box. From the team that brought you comedy plays The Probleming(★★★★ - Views from the Gods) and Pilgrim Shadow(★★★★ - Remote Goat).

The show will run at the Etcetera Theatre in Camden, London for three evening performances - Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April 2015. 7.30pm. Tickets are £9 (£8 concessions) and available at www.etceteratheatre.com. BOOK NOW (or later, just eventually).

Starring Cliff Chapman, Emma Stirling, Adam Joselyn, Ellen Gallagher & Steve Jordan. Written by Steve Jordan, Ellen Gallagher, Adam Joselyn & Graeme Hurry.' - from badbat.co.uk

Friday 13 February 2015

2014 Watty Winner!



I'm delighted to say that my short story 'The Good Death Guide' was a winner in the 2014 Wattys. The awards are presented by Wattpad, the online writing platform endorsed by Margaret Atwood, and represents 'the best in digital storytelling'. My story won in the 'HQ Love' category, which is chosen by Wattpad staff - thanks guys! The story has been read by over 75,000 people over the past year - an amazing number. Thanks to all those who took the time to read it and for your lovely comments.

To read the story and take a look at all the other winners - visit wattys.wattpad.com.

The Good Death Guide is now available for Kindle as part of my collection of short stories, 'The Good Death Guide & Other Tales'. The collection is free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers and very cheap for everyone else - check it out!





Sunday 25 January 2015

The Good Death Guide & Other Tales

I'm pleased to announce that a small collection of my short stories has been released for Kindle, entitled The Good Death Guide & Other Tales. Available now on amazon.

A collection of three short stories for Kindle by genre author and playwright Steve Jordan, featuring: 

The Good Death Guide - an extended version of the story chosen for the 'Featured List' on Wattpad, the online fiction community endorsed by Margaret Atwood. What really happens when you die? You may not like the Guide's answer... 

A House For Nobody - a chilling horror set in a dingy fairground 'crooked house' attraction - will Rachel make it out alive? Co-written with Ellen Gallagher. 

Caving In - a mysterious fantasy about three friends vacationing on an uninhabited planet. They must conquer their darkest fears when they are thrown back in time to a shared past they would all rather forget... 

'Jordan's writing [is] such a great investment at any level' - Views from the Gods.