....in a one-off stage show

He once wrote: ‘How I hate those who are dedicated to producing conformity.’

Now beat generation author William S. Burroughs is to be bought to life by a comic of similar sensibilities, Arthur Smith, in a new stage play.

Cosmic Trigger, the bizarre autobiography of  fellow novelist Robert Anton Wilson has been made into a four-hour play by Daisy Campbell, daughter of Ken Campbell, at The Cockpit theatre in Marylebone, London.

A group of guest cameos, including Reverend D. Wayne Love from Alabama 3, author Alistair Fruish and poet John Constable, take turns in playing Burrough.

And in the closing night – May 27 –  Smith will be making a one-off cameo in the role.

Cosmic Trigger is based around Burroughs visiting Wilson in the Playboy offices where the latter was an editor, just before the Democratic Convention in Chicago where Burroughs spoke and riots broke out.

Smith is also hosting this year's Chortle Fast Fringe - featuring 28 acts heading for Edinburgh – at the Leicester Square Theatre on June 25. Tickets.
 

Published: 19 May 2017