About Arthur Mckenzie - Bait Room Film, A TallTree Pictures Production. 1970's Police Drama | Written by Arthur Mckenzie

Biography

Arthur’s early career was as a policeman in Newcastle upon Tyne, rising up the ranks through beat, vice, CID, Serious Crime Squad and Investigating Corruption in Hong Kong. He retired after 31 years as Detective Inspector in charge of the toughest division of Newcastle’s West End. During his career he was commended on 27 occasions for exemplary police work ranging from national drugs busts, disarming mentally deranged persons to clearing up major crime. He was cited on two separate occasions for saving life.

Running parallel with this career he was also an International Athlete from 1962 to the mid eighties competing as a regular member of the Great Britain team in the discus and shot events and was placed 4th in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Over the past thirty years he has firmly established a wide and varied writing career for stage, radio, television and books and the following shows a range of his work.

The list opposite is in no way definitive, for over the years Arthur has worked on other media matters regularly appearing on radio and TV as a pundit relating to his experiences as a cop, writer and international athlete…also journalism including television critic for The Newcastle Journal 1999-2000.

SNIFFER (1980)

Backworth Youth Theatre which tackled the problems of teenage glue sniffing.

MARATHON AND CHIPS (1980)

Biography of World Champion Runner James Alder.

THE BOILERHUNTERS (1985)

Bawdy tale of rowdy bus trip to Blackpool broadcast on Radio 4 Saturday Night Theatre.

RIVER RATS

Won the 1986 Maritime Festival for New Drama at The People’s Theatre Newcastle. Set in 1950’s a black comedy about the exploits of the River Police.

MY SON’S ON THE FORCE (1982)

Triangle Theatre Company Newcastle…a one man show about being a young cop in the 60’s which toured the North East. Since then has been taken up by several other actors whith a tour in Spain 1983, then part of the Peter Brook Festival at The Newcstle Playhouse in 1994…then at Cage Theatre London 1995.

MAN IN A BOTTLE (1988)

Joint production by Tyne Theatre Company and Live Theatre, Newcastle, exploring the problems of a group of police officers investigating a rape with tragic consequences.

EXCLUSIVE (1988)

For People’s Youth Theatre tour of Russia…a fantasy dealing with corruption of young people who aspire to success in sport.

STANDING IN THE STALLS (1999)

Basement Theatre Newcastle. A closeted make believe world of an ex-music hall toilet attendant who refuses to recognise the changes taking place around him.

VOICES OF WAR (1988)

Award winning documentary drama 6 part series for Channel 4.

THE BILL (1988-1991)

Twenty four episodes for Thames Television.

CASUALTY (1990)

Two Episodes for BBC

SAM SATURDAY

Three episodes for ITV

SPENDER

One episode for BBC

WYCLIFFE (1997)

3 episodes for ITV including Xmas Special Film.

COP ON THE TYNE (2001)

Published autobiography People’s Publishing Ltd…of his life as a young cop in Newcastle during the 60’s. This was also performed as a two handed stage play performed at Customs House South Shields in January 2003…and toured North England and Cumbria in 2004.

I MARRIED A GREAT TRAIN ROBBER (1996)

Co producer of documentary on an in depth story of Ronnie Biggs and his former wife for Cutting Edge Channel 4.

CARRICKFERGUS UNITED (1999)

Co producer of documentary on Manchester United’s triple success in 1999 season as they were followed by a group of fanatical Irish supporters for Sky TV.

FIVE JOES AND A GYM (2001)

Southside radio…tale of five men who compare their illnesses in stark detail whilst attending a small gym. Black humour, about real comradeship when trouble comes to call.

PICKETS AND PIGS (2004)

Stage play set against the background of The Miners Strike in 1984 at Customs House South Shields.

CUDDY’S MILES (2004)

Co written musical with music by John Miles set against the background of the Jarrow Crusade of 1936.

BLACKIE (2004)

Biography of colourful British Lions and Newcastle Falcons Rugby coach Steve Black…Mainstream Publishing.

TAAKIN HEEDS (2006)

Three one man shows…one a toilet attendant…one a gym owner and one on his allotment… for Gala Theatre Durham.

The BAIT ROOM (2009)

Short film set in early 70’s in a police ‘bait room’ when a cop walks in on a colleague attempting to commit suicide and the events that flow from this situation.