NJ - Ronnie Kray's Artwork

MILES:In the art world last week, paintings by gangster Ronnie Kray met a similar fate to some of his associates by going under the hammer. With me to discuss this is art critic Lucinda Pompus. Lucinda, welcome to the show.

LUCINDA:Thank you Miles.

MILES:Lucinda, Ronnie Kray's paintings reached £16,500 at auction. Do you believe there is conflict of morality in glamorising the art work of a convicted murderer like Ronnie Kray?

LUCINDA:Not at all Miles. Ronnie may have been a man with a chequered past, but as an artist he was capable of expressing images of real beauty, such as with this piece...

FXOUND OF PAINTING BEING PUT ON DESK

MILESh dear god.

LUCINDA:Man Having Eyes Removed with Spoon, is a typical piece of beautiful realism reflected in much of Ronnies work. Just look at the use of red in this painting Miles.

MILESUNEASY) yes... lovely. (BEAT) Actually, that's making me feel a bit queasy...

LUCINDA:And in this painting...

FXOUND OF PAINTING BEING PUT ON DESK

LUCINDA:Man Having Finger Nails Pulled out with Pliers...

MILES:Euuuuuuurrrrgh. (STARTS BALKING)

LUCINDA:Just look at the expression on the mans face in this picture. Look at the anguish he's expressing. Kray makes us look at this man, and wonder what it is that's making him feel such inner turmoil.

MILES:I would imagine it would possibly be that he's having his finger nails removed with a pair of pliers?

LUCINDAossibly Miles. We may never know.

MILES:And is that the end of Ronnies Kray's art work being sold, or are there other pieces that are likely to surface?

LUCINDA:Funny you should ask Miles. Some of what are believed to be Ronnie's carvings have recently come to light, and will go to auction next month.

MILES:That sounds a bit more savoury. Are they carvings in wood or stone?

LUCINDA:No Miles. They're on a mans face. The body was discovered encased in concrete last week.

MILESSTRUGGLING) Lucinda, thank you very much.

END

'under the hammer' is a good start but you probably knew that this would never get on NJ due to the gore.

Possibly tone it down a bit with Miles asking if a painting of somebody is an abstract and getting the answer "No, it's all they could find of him"?

Ronnie painted less during his 'Boys in blue' period?

He was 'framed'?

I think there could be a 'killer' sketch there if you went for the art world puns and had less violence.

Under the Hammer =

Rest = pretty good; raised some laughs - maybe a bit wordy between gags though.

I thought of this and wrote it 30 mins before the deadline. I really liked the idea of it, and yes probably knew that the violence in it would mean it was a none-starter. Tonally it doesn't quite fit the show (not saying this is the only reason it didn't get on), though may have worked on another platform. Just didn't have the time to think about it too much or rework to get the Newsjack tone right.

I really like that abstract painting gag.

Thanks for the feedback.

Quote: Badge @ February 18 2011, 12:43 AM GMT

Under the Hammer =

Rest = pretty good; raised some laughs - maybe a bit wordy between gags though.

View original

Thanks.

Sorry trabs, aside from the excellent hammer joke there's not much humour here.

I also get the feeling you don't know much about either art or Ronnie Kray which isn't the best place to start writing this sketch from.

Quote: Godot Taxis @ February 18 2011, 1:57 AM GMT

Sorry trabs, aside from the excellent hammer joke there's not much humour here.

I also get the feeling you don't know much about either art or Ronnie Kray which isn't the best place to start writing this sketch from.

View original

I have an art A level, have worked at Tate Liverpool and have read a number of books on the Krays. However, I don't think either is necessary to able to write this sketch.

Another vote for the under the hammer joke. After that, yeah, it's a bit too nasty.

Again, I think it also suffers from not being a big enough story.

I liked it and thought it would fit the style well. Needs a rewrite or two as is a bit rough around the edges and I'm sure with that it would have more jokes, but certainly a really good idea to start with.

Dan

Quote: Godot Taxis @ February 18 2011, 1:57 AM GMT

Sorry trabs, aside from the excellent hammer joke there's not much humour here.

I also get the feeling you don't know much about either art or Ronnie Kray which isn't the best place to start writing this sketch from.

View original

Quote: Trabs @ February 18 2011, 8:23 AM GMT

I have an art A level, have worked at Tate Liverpool and have read a number of books on the Krays. However, I don't think either is necessary to able to write this sketch.

View original

Well you can be unconsciously very funny, at least.

Quote: Godot Taxis @ February 22 2011, 2:27 PM GMT

Well you can be unconsciously very funny, at least.

View original

Well done lad, keep up the good work.