CityLife

24:7 theatre festival is up and running already

THEY seem to like to keep everyone on their toes at 24:7, so they’ve shaken things up a little for 2010’s festival.

Key changes relate to the selection procedure and the performances in 2010’s festival week, which will run from Monday July 26 until Sunday August 1.

The Co-operative will be back on board as sponsor, meaning that the festival will once again have the use of New Century House in Manchester city centre.

What’s more, ‘to concentrate the festival atmosphere and audience experience’ they’ve decided to hold all of the 24:7 2010 performances there.

That can be done because of their new ‘20 > 10 in 2010’ format. Out of all the scripts received, a shortlist of 20 will initially be selected. From those, 10 will be chosen to fill the 10 performance slots available. Then, in association with North West Playwrights, five more scripts will receive a rehearsed reading during festival week, while the final five writers will receive mentoring.

The call for scripts opens on Tuesday (entry fee £30) with a deadline of January 14, 2010. More details at 247theatrefestival.co.uk.