We're not the 99%, we're the top 10%

I was struck by the focus on relative wealth which seems to be all pervasive. Rich lists, executive pay, bankers bonuses. The 'occupy' protests with the mantra 'we are the 99%'. Well, it's all a matter of how you look at it. Yes, there's an imbalance between the very wealthy and the rest, and between top and bottom income levels in the west; there's greed and insensitivity, and there's injustice. But, and this is a significant rider in my view, there is a more significant imbalance between most people in the UK, the US and other western countries and the bulk of the world's population. Most of those protesting are likely to be in the top 10% by income, and probably by wealth as well - and we live in a world where the poorest are hardest hit by natural disasters, where the richest strike the most favourable deals, and where the UK government is criticised for protecting the aid budget on the grounds that we're hard up. I have plenty of criticisms of the government but that is not one of them.

There's nothing wrong with pointing out the injustices of our system but let's remember the old saying about people in glass houses and make sure we do something about the 90% as well.

An alien in New York

Okay, it's a hackneyed phrase but that's what I am. A visitor, after a break of perhaps 4 years, to a city which feels very familiar but also very foreign. New Yorkers in my experience are friendly, hospitable, entrepreneurial, noisy and fun. It's seen as a fairly liberal place by much of America and has strong Democrat connections but read the New York Post as I did this morning and you see a different side - insecure, insular, reactionary and still buying the old lie that its somehow a socialist trick to reverse the Bush tax cuts for the super rich despite the hugely wider divergence between rich and poor and the clear lack of the old trickle down effect in recent years.

I'm here because my play The Door is on at 59E59 Theater and it's going remarkably well , playing to full houses who are lapping it up. It is seen as much more controversial here than it would be in the UK though - not that that's a bad thing, just another cultural indicator. And while I'm here I'm enjoying it immensely. Enjoying the hospitality, the service culture, the buzz and the friendly faces. And also enjoying the experience of having a play on 'Off Broadway'. A happy alien.

Black Friday - no time for the blues

It's Black Friday in New York, traditionally the day on which the retailers go into the black and the trading year becomes worthwhile. The resulting exuberance means there are bargains to be had, goods at knock down prices and it's also a day when lots of Americans are off work for the Thanksgiving weekend and thus available for a spot of shopping.

Shopping is the last thing I'd want to do on a holiday weekend but each to his own and it looks like I might be a beneficiary as my acting colleagues are out looking for a cheap airbed for when I join them in their bijou apartment, a far cry from the days of business travel. The glamour of Off Broadway! - my play, 'The Door' is on at 59E59 Theater as part of the Brits off Broadway festival and I'm off to see the production and meet all the wonderful staff there just as soon as I've fulfilled my commitment to sing Poulenc's Gloria and Verdi's 'Four Sacred Pieces' this weekend (at St Martins Church in Dorking with Brockham Choral under the masterly baton of Andrew Phillips).

The origins of the name 'Black Friday' are in fact a little in doubt as there is a school of thought that holds to the theory that it was originally called Black Friday in Philadelphia because of the log jam of traffic caused by the sales. Either way, shoppers are getting bargains, retailers are getting trade, and our New York production is getting enthusiastic audiences so it's no time for the blues.

Lessons in song

We went to a Ball on Friday, a fund raiser, and listening to my friend Scholastica speak, I was reminded of my trips to Kenya and the people I met. The charity was New Ways and the ball was packed with familiar faces, regular supporters who run, bike, climb, and do many other things to help the people of Turkana gain access to clean water, better nutrition and education for their children. Children who have proper nutrition when young grow up healthy - with better brain and body function. Areas with a sustainable source of water are less prone to famine and disaster. We all do our bit to help, and it's a joy to do so, especially when the opportunity arises to visit Turkana.

I've been twice, riding my bike round the Rift Valley and meeting the people in central Kenya before heading north to Lodwar and Nariokotome. The people are a delight. Friendly, interested, dignified and fun. Much of the teaching in schools is done by singing, and the children love to sing. The picture shows a group we encountered by chance at a lunch stop on our first bike ride. A group of children keen to sing for us and to laugh and shout. England and India were in the midst of a test series at the time and I doubt whether they'd seen much cricket but one of the guys on the ride had them enthusiastically chanting for India (he was rather outnumbered by English supporters the rest of the time). But the most poignant moment came when the girl in the picture sang her song. She sang beautifully but in Swahili and we asked for a translation. The teachers answer? 'AIDS kills everyone. Rich or poor, old or young, AIDS kills everyone'. Another hard lesson for these youngsters and another dose of reality for the cyclists.

There's another lesson in this for us too which is to take a leaf out the Kenyan book and enjoy ourselves in the midst of difficulty. In Turkana, where life is tough, the people sing and dance. So should we. So I'm looking forward to the next Ball - and to the fundraisers in 2012 which will include performances of my play 'Visiting Time' which explores the issues around Aid and AIDS among other things.

Those interested can learn more about New Ways on www.newways.org.uk

I've visited New York many times and will be pleased to go back but this time there's an extra buzz about the trip. The play I wrote for a local festival has somehow gone professional and crossed the Atlantic. We just had the final planning meeting and the cast are off at the weekend, one of them as soon as he finishes playing Elyot in 'Private Lives. I will be following later. Where this adventure will take us next I don't know but there are a number of productions in the pipeline and no shortage of subjects for issues based drama - and never a shortage of relationships to explore. Topics that are suggesting themselves at the moment include the implications of a completely non elected government in a parliamentary democracy (how does that work?), the collapse of a financial system (or the rescue of one) and the contrast between western concerns with banks, currency and pensions and the famine in the Horn of Africa. A comedy maybe?

An act of Remembrance

For various reasons I found myself in Camberley this morning, drinking coffee and availing myself of the free wifi in High Cross Church. Nice and quiet, comfy chairs. Could come here more. As I sat with my e mails, a voice came over the PA inviting all to join in an act of remembrance. It was 11am on the 11th of the 11th. Doors opened all round the room and people poured in from whatever meetings or activities they were attending. A few words over the PA - the familiar remembrance words we all know, silence and, in the distance, two rounds signified the end.

I've never been one for poppies - I was brought up to regard ostentatious giving as bad form and poppies often seem to be a way of boasting that you've given (also AIDS ribbons, daffodils and so on). Looking round though, I was struck by a feeling of solidarity. Remember those who served, who sacrificed. In my case World War 1 meant my grandfather in the trenches and as a POW, World War 2 meant my father (and father in law) in the RAF, in the desert and in air sea rescue. The Irish troubles meant a close friend blown up at 20. And Iraq/Afghanistan? Conflicts which were themselves the source of conflict here at home. More sacrifice and loss, much of it avoidable. We say 'never again' but don't seem to learn.

As 'The Door' has played around the country with its exploration of military interventions and politics I've been struck by how it strikes a chord with people who have strong associations with the forces, who are still serving, who are ex service people or their families, and also with those who opposed the Iraq intervention in particular from the start. It may be necessary to fight sometimes but it's too easy to send others to fight from the security of Westminster. Let's hope some lessons have been learnt.

'At the going down of the sun and in the morning....'

Getting to grips

Life is full of new experiences. Getting to grips with this is a key element in getting the most out of it - whether it's actually having to admit defeat and resign if you're a European Prime Minister (or even a UK Home Secretary, who knows) or just admitting that the age of social media is here to stay. So, in the last few days I've taken the plunge, set up a Facebook page, started to tweet, and now to blog. All sparked by the need to tell people about the off Broadway run of my play - 'The Door' . Not that I will restrict myself to shameless self promotion. Give a writer a platform and see what emerges - creativity, views, debate and more I hope.

In the short term there will inevitably be a New York focus. We're just a couple of weeks away from the start of our run at the prestigious 59E59 Theater as part of their annual Brits off Broadway festival and busy with publicity, techy stuff, rehearsing, and related activities. Plans for London performances in the New Year are being made in the background, while we really do need to start thinking more seriously about the productions for the 2012 festivals, not least the Edinburgh Fringe. Heady stuff for a nascent second career.