Urban Ballads

URBAN BALLADS: a sparkling collection of narrative verse, collected around the faults, fragilities and triumphs of the individual as social being. Populated by character and situation, they may be read in quiet contemplation as a shared experience, a life identifiable, or as theatre in condensed form, which in performance will provoke a resonance way beyond the laughter burst of 'stand up'. Pulling certain aspects of modern poetry away from the puzzle page, URBAN BALLADS dares to create a popular forum by making a splash of language; finding profundity in the familiar, art in the observed, and all in words clever, beautiful and clearly understood. This makes for a shared delight in the spoken word. To be read alone or with a crowd. All there to be enjoyed.

Alexander Robertson is a 'makar' or maker. From his trade background of making a living from his skill in joinery, he exploited a childhood interest in paint, paper and plasticine, to become a painter in oils and a sculptor in clay. An early interest in joke telling proved his introduction to writing short stories which led to dialogue and his first success. This was with the BBC which was a successful collaboration with many plays produced and broadcast over the years. LUCK OF THE DRAW, a comedy was the first, and continues as a theatre play, to be performed around the globe. In all his making he has been supported by his family and first reader wife who has played the greatest role in 'making' him.