Mancunian wordsmith will light up JB Shorts with her signature humour

Zoe Iqbal is a great wordsmith who writes what she knows and has the ability to make you laugh, with lines of dialogue that sing and evoke memories, complete with a beaming smile of recognition.

Zoe is a grafter and she is about to have her work featured as part of the institution that is JB Shorts, which is back at 53two this week.

We caught up with her to find out why she is proud to be a Manc writer, how to get your writing out there and her short play, which sees a school teacher swap her marking for Fifty Shades style erotica.

JB Shorts has become an institution. Why do you think it so popular?

I can only speak for myself as a JB superfan and now someone involved creatively. Its so popular because of a wonderful mix of things.

People love the format of six fifteen-minute plays because you get to see 6 different stories played out in front of you.

You invest in what’s played out, then BAM! on to the next! JB shorts is a labour of love. It’s squeezing the most and best out of creatives on virtually no budget.

From the writers to the actors, to the crew and people working at the venue. Everyone gives the best they can to make it work.

The writers (a mix of people who write very well for TV and ones like me who have never written more than 15 minute plays) are given the freedom to write about whatever they like.

A great experiment to bring ideas to life in an accessible format.

The actors can be a mix of fabulous faces you might know from telly /radio / on stage, and exciting faces and voices you haven’t met yet.

Whether you are established, not established, or a new graduate it gives you the chance to do something you might not have done before.

The audiences are a lovely mix of creatives and people who might not always go to the theatre for a night out. It’s always a buzzing atmosphere afterwards – on and off stage!

And this is your first time writing a JB Short. Can you tell us a bit about your mini play?

I’m so so lucky to be asked! When I first started watching JB about 15 years ago I never dreamed I’d be writing one.

The premise is a primary school teacher in Cheshire, who quits her very stable job – to write adult themed literature! It’s about following impulses and taking chances.

Fantasy and expectations versus reality.

We are sold so many narratives about what relationships and sex should be like. We are all just lumps of atoms trying our best haha!

It is  about taking your self as you are and being able to laugh at yourself and the ridiculousness of it all. Mine, may or may not be based on a true story.

Where does your inspiration come from when you write, in the main?

Definitely real life. Things that happen to me, friends. Conversations I hear on the bus. I hope my exes don’t sue me!

Make like Taylor Swift and write out your experiences I say!

Given some of the glorious tales the other plays tell, I’d love to know if my fellow JB writers have based any of theirs on true experiences!

What tips would you give a writer who has loads of ideas and plays written and under the bed but no one has seen them?

Well, you are already better off than me if you finished your plays! Well done! I’m no expert, but find ways to get them on their feet.

]Find local nights where work can be read or performed out loud for you. You then build a network and then people remember you or recommend you. 53:two always has opportunities to develop new writing.

Box of Tricks Theatre have just opened a new opportunity. Find people who are looking for scripts.

Open mic nights. There is room for your voice!

What did you last see on stage that you loved and why?

I saw Danesha by local Mancunian playwright Stefanie Reynolds.

It is touring around at the moment. It features a young woman living in Preston wanting to escape a small town and live her best life. It’s an ensemble piece with dancing, messy friendships and relationships and explores identity.

It reminds me growing up and grappling with my own identity and being young! The soundtrack is groovy!

Manchester has such a supportive cultural community and that includes the audiences. Why do you think this is?

Manchester is the word here. It starts with Mancunians. The people are what makes Manchester so great. We take people as they are and let them in.

And then lots of people from other places want to join us because we are great.

So the Manc attitude gets passed on and our creative community embraces it, they have no choice – its a way of life!

Manchester is a down to earth city full of heart.

We give things a go. Our spirit can never be broken. We are legends! JB audiences just go with the flow and make the most of their night. I love them!

How long does it take for you to write a short? Do you write for JB, or do you bring put an idea you already have and shape it?

A bit of both! When I co wrote one with JB founder James Quinn we riffed ideas in Costa coffee in Fallowfield.

It was very exciting! With this one ‘Erotic Novel gone wrong’ … I had roughly written a story and read bits of it out at some open mic nights.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. Then I was asked if I wanted to be involved and knew that this could be a kick up the bum to write my story into a play!

Why would you recommend audiences turn off the telly, shut the laptop down and turn off their mobile and head to 53two to see JB Shorts?

JB Shorts and theatre in general is a wonderful way to get out of your head and get into someone else’s for a bit.

Escape to another world. Here you get to visit 6 mini worlds, have a good old laugh and also have some new concepts to get your head around.

Twists, turns, decent storylines and banter!

I swear this is as good as a night out on the town! Let us be the messy ones!

Grab a coffee, beer or a Margarita and join us under the arches for a fabulous night of short plays. It’s the Perfect tonic to warm you up through winter!

Tickets for JB Shorts at 53Two

JB Shorts is currently at 53two and it runs until 19^th October – you can book your tickets here