James Berlyn is hitting the stage this summer… and how? After taking out the jury prize at last year’s Putting On An Act, Berlyn is now getting ready with a swathe of shows including appearances at The Blue Room’s Solo Spots and PIAF’s Beck’s Music Box.

‘I’m road testing some ideas for a new one-man-show creative development, supported by DCA, PICA and Blue Room, called The Penwald Project,’ Berlyn says of his upcoming appearance at Blue Room. ‘The piece for Solo Spot is a very early sketch of some of the ideas that are to be explored in a larger piece later in the year, specifically notions of the challenge of learning and skills acquisition and the action of giving up…’

Cryptic enough? Good. It gets better. A lot better.

‘I discovered… that I could write with my left hand and that I could write two different words simultaneously. My learning task in the development period (of this show) is to learn how to write two different stories at the same time and tell a third. No idea if I can do it but I wanna try. Development will be a PICA (residency from) March to June.’

If it sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. With the likes of Marcelle Schmitz directing, Julia Lawrinson script editing, Geoff Baker doing the sound and Jude Cotter producing video, Berlyn seems to have all the right pieces in place to make something truly intriguing. Which he already does… in the guise of his alter ego, six-foot-something nail technician and collector of secrets, Tawdry Heartburn.

Not to be outdone or forgotten, Tawdry is back in the limelight, this time appearing at Beck’s Music Box with a whole new look. In collaboration with Performing Lines, Berlyn has had the opportunity to showcase and ‘sell’ Tawdry appearances to interested producers and buyers of performing arts, both nationally and internationally.

And to add to the experience, Tawdry has had a make over. Not only has a mystery directorial consultant stepped in to revamp the show, but famed and much lauded stage manager Malcolm Hughes (think Connections Nightclub a la 1990’s) has developed a new image for Tawdry – steampunk.

‘The steampunk look is hot,’ Berlyn explained. ‘Tawds likes it and feel much more suited to it. It reflects his feeling out of step with the contemporary aesthetic.’

So does Tawdry have any advice for the soul? ‘The only real tips for nail care of the soul is this: enjoy what you have not what you want and you will truly be fabulous. Finally, heartburn is a tawdry thing so do us all a favour and get it off your chest!’

Tawdry Heartburn will be swapping manicures for secrets every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Beck’s Music Box until February 28. James Berlyn will be appearing at the Blue Room’s Solo Spot which runs from February 23 until March 19 and then will be in residency at PICA.

Scott-Patrick Mitchell