That was in 1982. Twenty years on, he was finally able to begin, but didn’t really get cracking for four more years, eventually spurred to action by his cancer diagnosis. He was overwhelmed by his material until his then-wife suggested he write it up as a play: “She said the physical limitations of theatre would force me to concentrate on my key relationships. I had started out as a playwright but I found earning a living difficult, so I was happy to see what came of it that way.”