54-675: Shaun Patrick McKenna (born 5 April 1957 in Maidstone , Kent) is an English dramatist, lyricist and screenwriter. Shaun McKenna studied at Maidstone Grammar School and the University of Bristol (1975–1978). He was an actor for a few years, then taught drama, and began writing in his late 20s. He married former actress and agent Jenny Hayes in 1985; she died in 2014. Shaun McKenna lives in West London. Shaun McKenna's early theatre plays include Killing Camille ( Paines Plough , Old Red Lion 1990,
108-572: A Royal Television Society Yorkshire Award for Best Drama. He had a two-part drama Cuckoo in development for ITV with TXTV. In 2014 and 2015 he wrote episodes of the BBC series Doctors. He wrote and researched several films in the Great West End Theatres series presented by Sir Donald Sinden . In 2020 McKenna wrote two series of Eleanor Rising , a BBC Radio 4 drama series about Eleanor of Aquitaine. With recording postponed by COVID-19,
162-471: A maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office weather station for which online records are available is at East Malling , about three miles west of Maidstone. East Malling's highest temperature of 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) was recorded in August 2003. The lowest temperature recorded is −17.8 °C (0.0 °F) during January 1947 and 1972. East Malling also holds
216-511: A Leading Role ( Hayley Mills ), Best Actress in a Featured Role ( Belinda Lang )and Best Actor in a Featured Role (Robert Rees). In 2014 his stage adaptation of Peter James 's novella The Perfect Murder toured the UK, from January to April 2014 with Les Dennis and Claire Goose , and with Robert Daws and Dawn Steele from September 2014. In January 2016 a new tour went out with Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace . After The Perfect Murder , McKenna
270-471: A book about the making of his first musical Maddie , called Maddie and Us which was briefly Amazon 's best selling theatre book. Maidstone Maidstone is the largest town in Kent , England, of which it is the county town . Maidstone is historically important and lies 32 miles (51 km) east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it with Rochester and
324-453: A borough. The charter was ratified in 1619 under James I , and the coat of arms was designed, bearing a golden lion and a representation of the river (in heraldic terms: Or, a fess wavy Azure between three roundels Gules, on a chief Gules a leopard passant gardant Or ). Recently to these arms were added the head of a white horse (representing Invicta , the motto of the county of Kent), a golden lion and an iguanodon . The iguanodon relates to
378-527: A co-production between Kevin Wallace Productions, West Yorkshire Playhouse , TC Beech and Youth Music Theatre UK (now British Youth Music Theatre ). As a book writer, he co-wrote Maddie , (with Shaun McKenna , music by Stephen Keeling ), produced by Kenny Wax Productions, which transferred to the Lyric Theatre , Shaftesbury Avenue in 1997 and he directed Romance! Romance! , which transferred to
432-467: A comedy about Caligula's horse with Leslie Phillips , Smiles of a Summer Night (2001) with Samuel West and Nicholas Farrell , Seawyf and Biscuit (2002), The Cry of the Owl (2002), a World Service adaptation of Mrs. Warren's Profession (2002), and the radio adaptation of To Serve Them All My Days (2005). McKenna edited eight books of 'Scenes for Actors' for Oberon Books . In 2020 he published
486-568: A low percentage in agriculture. According to the Office for National Statistics estimates, the average gross income of households between April 2001 and March 2002 was £595 per week (£31,000 per year). The town is served by 15 secondary schools, 23 primary schools, and two special schools. Non-selective secondary schools include Cornwallis Academy , The Maplesden Noakes School , New Line Learning Academy , St Augustine Academy , St. Simon Stock School and Valley Park School . Grammar schools serving
540-495: A new musical with original music by Guy Kitchenn which will workshop in London in 2023. He has written lyrics for Celtic Warrior , a new musical by Marti Pellow and lyrics for four songs on Pellow's album Stargazer . In October 2022 the new British musical Are You As Nervous As I Am? played a short run at Greenwich Theatre in London. McKenna wrote the lyrics, with music by Leighton James House and book by Simon Spencer . The cast
594-508: A rehearsed reading directed by Kathy Burke ). He began an association with Michael Napier Brown at the Royal Theatre in Northampton for whom he adapted Richard Llewellyn 's How Green Was My Valley (1990) in which Aled Jones made his acting debut, and R. F. Delderfield 's To Serve Them All My Days (1992). He subsequently wrote a drama, Ruling Passions , which was presented at
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#1733092743500648-510: A trampoline park), and the town's market square. The leisure industry is a key contributor with the night-time economy worth £75m per annum. In the 2001 UK census, 45.2% of residents aged 16–74 were employed full-time, 12.7% part-time, 7.6% self-employed and 2.5% unemployed, while 2.3% were students with jobs, 3.0% without jobs, 12.9% retired, 6.6% looking after home or family, 3.8% permanently sick or disabled and 3.2% economically inactive for other reasons. These figures were roughly in line with
702-607: Is also held, with Maidstone and Beauvais taking it in turns to host the event. The BBC Local Radio station which broadcast to the town is BBC Radio Kent , on 96.7 FM. Steven Dexter Steven Dexter (born August 26, 1962) is a theatre director and writer. Dexter was born in South Africa, then he moved to London in 1984 and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art . In 2003 he directed both Peter Pan and The Pirates of Penzance , playing in repertoire at
756-759: Is now available on Audible . McKenna adapted four of the eight John le Carré George Smiley novels shown in BBC Radio Four's "Complete Smiley" season – A Murder of Quality , The Looking Glass War , Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy (2009–2010), all of which have been released on BBC audiobooks. He later adapted Winston Graham 's novel Marnie for Radio 4 (2011) and Rosemary Sutcliff 's Brother Dusty Feet for Radio 4 Extra. He wrote both original and adapted radio dramas for BBC Radio : The Postman Always Rings Twice (1993), Meeting Jack (1995), The Ghost Train (1997), East of Eden (Classic Serial, 2000), Me and Little Boots (2000)
810-537: Is six miles downstream from where the River Medway , having flowed in a generally west–east direction, is joined by the Rivers Teise and Beult at Yalding and changes its course to a northerly one. It cuts through the ridge formed by the greensand , so that the town occupies a site on two opposite hills, the easterly one containing the town centre. Beyond that, and higher, is Penenden Heath . The River Len joins
864-510: Is the main town of Maidstone borough , which includes the surrounding rural areas except to the north-west. The town is divided into the 12 local government wards of Allington, Bridge, Downswood and Otham, East, Fant, Heath, High Street, Park Wood, Shepway North, Shepway South, South, and North. These wards have 30 of the 55 seats on Borough Council. Maidstone Borough Council is responsible for services such as recreation, refuse collection, most planning decisions and social housing . The town
918-643: The Gielgud Theatre , London, in the same year. He directed the world premiere and 2007 revival of the Olivier Award winning musical Honk! at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury. In Derby he directed the world premiere of The Pros, The Cons and a Screw in 2009. Also in 2009, he directed the world premiere of a new musical, Loserville: The Musical for Youth Music Theatre UK , written by James Bourne and Elliot Davis . Dexter worked extensively for
972-726: The Savoy Theatre , London. His production of La Cava (book by Dana Broccoli , lyrics by John Claflin and Shaun McKenna , music by Laurence O'Keefe and Stephen Keeling ) transferred from the Churchill Theatre , Bromley to the Victoria Palace Theatre , London, in 2000, transferring to the Piccadilly Theatre in 2001. In October 2012 his production of Loserville transferred to the Garrick Theatre , London, in
1026-660: The Thames Estuary . Historically, the river carried much of the town's trade as the centre of the agricultural county of Kent, which is known as the Garden of England . There is evidence of settlement in the area dating back before the Stone Age . The town, part of the borough of Maidstone , had an approximate population of 100,000 in 2019. Since World War II , the town's economy has shifted from heavy industry towards light industry and services. Saxon charters dating back to c. 975 show
1080-568: The Creative Arts (formerly Kent Institute of Art & Design ) at which Turner Prize nominated artist Tracey Emin , fashion designer Karen Millen and television personality and artist Tony Hart studied, has a campus at the Maidstone TV Studios . In the 2001 census, 15.7% of residents aged 16–74 had a higher education qualification or equivalent, below the national average of 19.9%. 27.5% had no academic qualifications, compared to
1134-453: The MP for Faversham and Mid Kent has been Conservative Helen Whately . Prior to the 2015 election, the MP was Conservative Sir Hugh Robertson . Kent County Council is responsible for social services, education, maintenance of and new infrastructure, fire services and minerals. It is elected every four years: Maidstone elects nine representatives, and villages are in the four rural wards. The town
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#17330927435001188-687: The Medway at Maidstone. Though a short river, it provided the water to drive numerous watermills . The Loose Stream , which rises at Langley and joins at Tovil , once powered over 30 mills. Mill ponds on these rivers are a prominent feature of the landscape. Maidstone has continued to grow. In doing so it has incorporated hitherto separate settlements , villages and hamlets within its boundaries. These include Allington , Barming , Bearsted , Penenden Heath, Sandling , Tovil and Weavering Street. Housing estates include Grove Green , Harbourland, Ringlestone , Roseacre, Shepway, Senacre and Vinters Park. Maidstone
1242-792: The Royal in 1995. He wrote the book for Ben Hur Live , based on the novel by Lew Wallace shown at the O2 arena in September 2009, and in a revised version at the Fiera di Roma, Rome in 2011. In spring 2012 his stage adaptation of Charles Dance 's screenplay for Ladies in Lavender , with Hayley Mills and Belinda Lang , toured the UK. The production won five BroadwayWorld UK Awards 2012, including Best Fringe or Regional Play, Best Director ( Robin Lefevre ), Best Actress in
1296-525: The Sharps toffee factory (later part of Cadbury Trebor Basset ), was in central Maidstone and provided a significant source of employment. Loudspeaker manufacturer KEF was founded in 1961 on the premises of the metal-working operation Kent Engineering & Foundry (hence KEF). KEF still occupies the same river-bank site. In the late 1990s KEF manufactured a loudspeaker called "the Maidstone". The town centre has
1350-834: The UK with a cast led by Joe McFadden , Rita Simons and Charlie Clements . McKenna's fifth Peter James adaptation, Looking Good Dead , began a long UK tour in Leicester in June 2021 and, ended in April 2022. It starred Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye . Laurie Brett subsequently took over the female lead. The next play in the series Wish You Were Dead began a UK tour in February 2023, starring Clive Mantle , Giovanna Fletcher and George Rainsford as Roy Grace. In May 2021 his original thriller Rocky Road streamed during lockdown from Jermyn Street Theatre . Tyger Drew-Honey and Kirsten Foster played
1404-640: The date of transmission, and centres on a single character's story of life at home during the Great War. He was lead writer on seasons three, six and twelve. Home Front ran until 11 November 2018, the centenary of the end of the First World War . McKenna was commissioned by BBC Radio 4, alongside Lyn Coghlin, to adapt all nine of John Galsworthy 's Forsyte novels, to be transmitted from 2016. The cast includes Joseph Millson as Soames, Juliet Aubrey as Irene and Jessica Raine as Fleur. The complete series
1458-695: The discovery in the 19th century of the fossilised remains of that dinosaur , now in the Natural History Museum in London. Maidstone has had the right to a town gaol since 1604. During the English Civil War , the Battle of Maidstone took place in 1648, resulting in a victory for the Parliamentarians . Andrew Broughton , who was Mayor of Maidstone in 1649 (and also Clerk to the High Court of Justice)
1512-651: The electricity industry in 1948 ownership of the station passed to the British Electricity Authority and then to the Central Electricity Generating Board. In 1966 the power station had a generating capacity of 13.125 MW and delivered 6,921 MWh of electricity. The CEGB later closed the station and it was demolished in 1973. The town is ranked in the top five shopping centres in the south-east of England for shopping yields and, with more than one million square feet of retail floor space, in
1566-488: The first recorded instances of the town's name, de maeides stana and maegdan stane , possibly meaning stone of the maidens or stone of the people . The latter meaning may refer to the nearby megalith around which gatherings took place. The name evolved through medestan/meddestane in the Domesday Book of 1086, with possible variation Mayndenstan in 1396. The modern name appeared by 1610. It has been suggested that
1620-614: The first series was broadcast in November 2020, with the second series in April 2021. A third series recorded in June 2022 and will broadcast in September/October. In July 2021 BBC Radio 4 broadcast his two-part reworking of a Henry Fielding novel, Joseph Andrews Remixed with a cast led by Max Bennett , Lyndsey Marshal , Angus Imrie and Michael Bertenshaw. McKenna spent much of 2018 writing China Towns , an eleven hour BBC Radio 4 series based on five novels by Arnold Bennett which
1674-454: The largest office centre in the county and the area is a base for the paper and packaging industry. Many high-technology firms have set up in surrounding business parks. Southern Water and Mid Kent Water operate the Maidstone water system. Maidstone Borough Corporation began construction of Maidstone power station at Fairmeadow in 1900 and supplied electricity from 1901, firstly for street lighting then other uses. Upon nationalisation of
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1728-502: The name derives from stones set into the river to allow clothes to be rinsed in the cleaner water away from the banks. Neolithic finds have revealed the earliest occupation of the area, and the Romans have left their mark in the road through the town and evidence of villas. The Normans set up a shire moot , and religious organisations established an abbey at Boxley , hospitals and a college for priests . Today's suburb of Penenden Heath
1782-442: The national average. Employment, by industry, was 19% retail; 13% real estate; 11% manufacturing; 9% construction; 7% transport and communications ; 10% health and social work ; 8% public administration ; 7% education; 5% finance; 4% hotels and restaurants; 1% agriculture; 1% energy and water supply; and 5% other. Compared to national figures, Maidstone had a high percentage of workers in construction and public administration, and
1836-572: The national figure of 28.9%. Southeastern operates services at three railway stations: Bus services are provided by Arriva Kent and Surrey , Nu-Venture and Stagecoach South East . Routes connect the town with Ashford, Canterbury, Gillingham and Tunbridge Wells. The following roads connect Maidstone with nearby locations: In 2001, religions were 73.9% Christian, 0.8% Muslim, 0.7% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.14% Sikh and 0.11% Jewish. 15.8% had no religion, 0.6% had an alternative religion, while 7.7% did not state their religion. All Saints' Church in
1890-761: The palace's tithe barn are all Grade I listed buildings . Jubilee Church is an independent Maidstone-based Christian church which forms partnerships not only in Kent, but in Canada and Ukraine . In Ukraine, it has held events with Ockert Potgieter of the Light of the World Church. A Twinning Association Committee meets every month. It organises annual trips to the Jeanne Hachette Festival in Beauvais. An annual sporting weekend
1944-426: The patients, and several nurses were sent by Eva Luckes , matron of The London Hospital , including Edith Cavell . Modern Maidstone incorporates a number of outlying villages and settlements (see Geography below). The county council offices to the north of the town centre were built of Portland stone between 1910 and 1913. On 29 September 1975 a local pub serving Invicta Park Barracks, The Hare and Hounds ,
1998-731: The record for the mildest January day in South East England, 17.4 °C (63.3 °F), also set in 2003. The lowest temperature recorded in recent years was −10.7 °C (12.7 °F) on 20 December 2010. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is " Cfb " (Marine West Coast Climate). In the 2001 UK census , Maidstone town wards had a population of 75,070, a density of 28 residents per hectare . The town had 31,142 households, of which 38% were married couples, 29% were individuals, 10% were cohabiting couples, and 9% were single-parent families. 14% of households had someone living alone of pensionable age. The ethnicity
2052-608: The stage adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (Toronto 2006, West End 2007) with Matthew Warchus . The show won seven Dora Mavor Moore Awards including Best Musical for McKenna and Warchus. McKenna's work was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Musical. In 2004 McKenna's musical adaptation of Terry Pratchett 's Only You Can Save Mankind was premiered at the Edinburgh Festival , with music by Leighton James House and lyrics by Shaun McKenna. An album of songs
2106-467: The top 50 in the UK. Much of this space is located in the two main shopping centres in the town, the 535,000 square feet (49,700 m ) The Mall Maidstone (previously known as The Chequers Centre) and the 32,500 square metres (350,000 sq ft) Fremlin Walk which opened in 2005. Other recent developments include the riverside Lockmeadow Centre, with a multiplex cinema , restaurants, nightclubs (now
2160-571: The town centre was the collegiate church of the College of All Saints built in 1395 next to the Archbishop's Palace . It contains a monument to Sir Jacob Astley , the Royalist Civil War soldier and a memorial to Lawrence Washington, great-uncle of George Washington 's great-great-grandfather, that includes the stars and stripes in the family coat of arms The college, the church, the palace and
2214-529: The town include Maidstone Grammar School , Invicta Grammar School , Maidstone Grammar School for Girls and Oakwood Park Grammar School . Alumni of the oldest school, Maidstone Grammar School (founded 1549), include James Burke , television presenter, and Lord Beeching , of the British railway cuts of the 1960s . William Golding , author of Lord of the Flies was once a teacher at the school. The University for
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2268-582: The town providing employment. Some of the workforce commute to other towns, including to London. The town is divided between the constituencies of Maidstone and the Weald and Faversham and Mid Kent . Before 1997 Maidstone was in the county constituency of Maidstone . The Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone and the Weald is Conservative Helen Grant . Previous MPs include Ann Widdecombe , Sir John Wells , Sir Alfred Bossom and Benjamin Disraeli . Since 2015
2322-530: The two roles, and the show was directed by Steven Kunis and designed by Ceci Calf. Musical theatre credits include Maddie (Salisbury Playhouse 1996, West End 1997) which he wrote with Steven Dexter and Stephen Keeling . He has subsequently written a book, Maddie and Us , about the experience (see below). He wrote the book for Lautrec (West End 2000), collaborating with Charles Aznavour . Also that year, he and Stephen Keeling contributed additional material for La Cava . McKenna wrote book and lyrics for
2376-482: Was 96.6% white, 0.9% mixed race , 0.3% Chinese, 1.5% other Asian, 0.4% Black and 0.3% other. The place of birth was 94.1% United Kingdom (91.4% England), 0.6% Republic of Ireland, 0.6% Germany, 1.3% other European countries, 1.7% Asia, 0.9% Africa and 0.8% elsewhere. Religion was 73.9% Christian, 0.8% Muslim, 0.7% Hindu, 0.3% Buddhist, 0.14% Sikh and 0.11% Jewish. 15.8% had no religion, 0.6% had an alternative religion, and 7.7% did not state their religion. Until 1998,
2430-458: Was a place of execution in medieval times. Maidstone played a key role during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. The rebel priest, John Ball , had been imprisoned there and was freed by Kentish rebels under the command of Wat Tyler , who is reputed to have been a resident of the town. Maidstone's charter as a town was granted in 1549; although briefly revoked, a new charter in 1551 created the town as
2484-476: Was at one time a centre of industry, brewing and paper making being among the most important. Nowadays smaller industrial units encircle the town. The site of Fremlin's Brewery , once the largest in Kent, is now Fremlin Walk shopping centre. The pedestrianised areas of the High Street and King Street run up from the river crossing at Lockmeadow; Week Street and Gabriel's Hill bisect this route. Kent experiences
2538-466: Was broadcast over six weekend in 2019 and is now available on Audible . McKenna and co-writer Lin Coghlan merged and entwined characters and plots from the novels to create a sweeping drama across five decades. McKenna was a core writer on the BBC's 600-episode First World War drama Home Front , which began broadcasting daily episodes on 4 August 2014. Each episode is set exactly one hundred years before
2592-475: Was commissioned by producers Joshua Andrews and Peter James to adapt James's novel Dead Simple . This toured in 2015 with a cast led by Tina Hobley , Jamie Lomas and Gray O'Brien . In 2017 there was a major UK tour of McKenna's stage version of Not Dead Enough starring Shane Richie , Laura Whitmore and Stephen Billington . Bill Ward subsequently took over from Shane Richie. In 2019, Shaun's fourth Peter James adaptation The House On Cold Hill toured
2646-621: Was damaged by a bomb during an IRA campaign in England. Maidstone General Hospital opened on the outskirts of the town in 1983, replacing West Kent General Hospital, which opened 150 years earlier in Marsham Street. It is just to the north of Oakwood Hospital (originally the Kent County Asylum), which closed in the mid-1990s. Residents are employed in the retail, administrative or service sectors; there are industrial estates around
2700-424: Was established in the town with the completion of cavalry barracks in 1798. Invicta Park Barracks is now home to the 36 Engineer Regiment . Maidstone Prison is north of the town centre and was completed in 1819. In 1897-1898 the Maidstone typhoid epidemic killed at least 132 people, and was the largest typhoid epidemic at the time. Hundreds of nurses from around the country volunteered to care for
2754-498: Was led by Katie Elin Salt as fictional diva Peggy Starr, Bill Ward as husband Bob and Emma Thornett as her sister, Janet. For ITV Shaun McKenna wrote The Crooked Man (2003, a feature directed by David Drury for ARG), and the two part thriller Like Father, Like Son (2005, directed by Nick Laughland for Ecosse Films ). He wrote seven episodes for the last three series of TV series Heartbeat . His first episode, One Small Step won
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#17330927435002808-693: Was performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 2009. In September 2012 the York Theater in New York premiered a workshop lab production of Last Dance , for which McKenna wrote the book. The songs are by Paul Jabara and the show was directed by Philip Wm. McKinley. He wrote the book for the arena show The Bible: In The Beginning , with lyrics by Maribeth Derry, planned to open in the US in 2020. With Chet Walker , McKenna has written Being Jack Cole: The Last Scrapbook
2862-519: Was released in 2009, prior to a new production. In 2005 McKenna and Stephen Keeling wrote Heidi , entwining the famous children's story and the life of its creator Johanna Spyri , which was first performed in an open-air production in Walenstadt , Switzerland. Heidi II , a sequel, followed in 2007 and 2008. The One True Thing , a prequel, has been commissioned He co-wrote Murder Mystery Musical with Alister Cameron and composer Richard Brown, which
2916-507: Was responsible for declaring the death sentence on Charles I , and today a plaque in Maidstone Town Centre memorialises Broughton as 'Mayor and Regicide '. Paper mills, stone quarrying, brewing and the cloth industry have all flourished here. The paper maker James Whatman and his son invented wove paper (Whatman paper) at Turkey Mill from 1740, an important development in the history of printing. A permanent military presence
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