Richard Sparks, librettist, writer (L.A. Opera, Not the Nine O'Clock News).

My guest today is the British scriptwriter and librettist for opera, Richard Sparks. In 1978 he wrote a sketch for Rowan Aktinson , the actor who later played Mr Bean , which Atkinson performed in the Secret Policeman’s Ball , a series of benefit shows organised by John Cleese to raise funds for Amnesty International. The success of the sketch led my guest to become a writer for BBC2’s ‘ Not the Nine O’Clock News ’ comedy show, and a slew of other TV writing gigs followed. In 1992 he moved to Los Angeles where he began to write libretti for the L.A. Opera . In 2016 he directed Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art , which starred Jack Black in the leading role. Now he has returned to his comedy roots, with the publication of “ New Rock New Role ”, a fantasy comic novel about a retired teacher who discovers video games while in his sixties. Website: https://richardsparks.com/ The School Master Sketch Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Take the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.