The Slab Boys revisited

The Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh chose to celebrate its 40th Anniversary late last year with a revival of one of its major successes, The Slab Boys Trilogy by writer and artist JOHN BYRNE. His other major writing triumphs include Tutti-Frutti for television, and several plays and adaptations, but he is equally well-known as a painter and designer.

He lives in Nairn with his wife, actress Tilda Swinton, and their two children, and spoke to the Arts Journal as the Traverse’s new production of the trilogy was scheduled to reach Eden Court Theatre.

AJ: John, when and why did you decide to move to the Highlands?

JB: It must have been about six years ago now, and to be honest, we moved here almost accidentally. I’m from Paisley originally, and people from the Glasgow area often gravitate to the west coast, but I like it up here. We knew the area a bit from to-ing and fro-ing to Nairn and Easter Ross over the years, and the chance came up to rent a wee place near Tain. We took it and never looked back.

AJ: Was it a work or lifestyle-related decision?

JB: It was to do with our outlook on life generally, and the fact that we wanted to be more in the country. We knew the area slightly, but we didn’t really know anybody up here, and there was no family or anything. As far as work goes, I can do my work anywhere, and Tilda is going to be travelling wherever she is based. For me, being here is very conducive to both writing and painting, There were no problems that way, and living here was a bonus, both the place itself, and the friends we have made here.
 

AJ: No regrets, then?

JB: No, absolutely the reverse of any regrets. In fact, in the past five years I have never had occasion to go anywhere near London, which is a proud boast of mine. Although my agent’s gallery is there, there has genuinely never been a reason that I would have to go so far. Doubtless I shall pay a visit in the future, and of course I’ve been lots of other places in that time.
 

AJ: Do you make use of the local studio in Nairn?

JB: I did start off renting a studio in the High Street, but I was never in it. I know the people who do use the studio, and get on well with them, but I just wasn’t using it.
 

AJ: How did it feel to see Slab Boys revisited all these years later?

JB: Well, to me it wasn’t all these years. I know people always say such and such a thing just felt like yesterday, but it really did feel that way for me. There have been quite a number of different productions over the years, so it has kept coming round, so I hadn’t left it that long. It was really nice to see it again, though, and this was a very special occasion to be marking the Traverse’s 40th anniversary. I was thrilled that they decided to stage a new production of the trilogy.
 

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