Globe theatre critic Peter Grant meets prolific writer Ian Salmon who has two plays on two different Merseyside stages.

AUTHOR, playwright and former record store worker Ian Salmon says he now has the 'greatest job on the planet.'

The Bootle-born writer is someone Merseyside audiences will be hearing a lot more of in the months and years to come.

Ian, 56, is inspired by Merseyside writers Willy Russell, Alan Bleasdale and Jimmy McGovern. now has two very different productions on stage in two very different theatres.

"I'd like to have a play in every theatre in the city," he said.

The first of his works opens tonight (Wednesday, September 18) at the Epstein Theatre – called Those Two Weeks it has already been a critical hit at the Unity.

The second is his new piece Girls Don't Play Guitars at the Royal Court's main stage from October 5.

Those Two Weeks came about from long conversations Ian had with his wife.

After a series of well-received productions such as the 45-minute Venus Rising and The Comeback Special about the 'ghost' of Elvis - which was highly commended in the Hope Playwriting Prize in 2015 - he chose a subject matter close to his heart.

Ian tells the Globe: "I wanted to write something realistic that reflected our life.

"We spoke about the obvious fact that there is one defining moment that will always be part of the lives of anybody of our age.

"For our generation there is before Hillsborough and after Hillsborough.

"Even if you were like us and were lucky enough to not be directly affected it will always sit somewhere in your thoughts.

"I didn't feel I could write the stories of the 96 – they weren't my stories to tell.

"I also didn't feel that I couldn't tell the stories of my brothers who were in the end pen or my father who was in the main stand that day.

"I was at work so didn't go through what they went through."

The story Ian decided to write was about those at home.

"More particularly, I could tell the story of how life was before, how life was for the working class that I grew up in of how long ago that was and how we realise our parents are the same as us.

"This is the most personal play I'll ever write."

Following the run of Those Two Weeks he is looking forward to the curtain raising on Girls Don't Play Guitars a new musical directed by Bob Eaton, who created the global hit Lennon at the Everyman.

Girls don't Play Guitars tells the untold story of four Scousers – a female fab four who rocked the world – the first all girl rock and roll group who went from The Cavern to Hamburg.

They had the hits Peanut Butter and Diddley Daddy and even turned down Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

Now two of the founding members of the Liverbirds, Mary and Sylvia have acted as consultants on this foot-stomping musical which features songs from the '60s

Ian said: "The title comes from a John Lennon quote. In my research I also discovered they once played a gig at Port Sunlight Boys Club.

"Rehearsals are really going well. I do have the greatest job in the world."

Ian is also a successful author with two books under his belt

Ian says he has one big regret.

"I worked in a record shop for 27 years until I was made redundant.

"I wish I had started writing earlier."

But now he is making up for lost time.

Ian Salmon's creative career is going swimmingly.

Those two weeks is at the Epstein Theatre until September 21. Tickets from 0844 888 4411.

Girls don't play guitars is on from October 4 to November 2. Tickets from 0151 709 4321.