Have you got a play to write?
HAVE you ever dreamed about writing a play but not known where to start, or been to the theatre and thought, "I could write better than that!'' Well, now is your chance. The Royal Exchange Theatre has launched Write 2, a unique new writing event for anyone aged 16 or over living within the north west, throwing open its doors to give a new generation of voices the chance to have their work aired.Under the working title, Leaving Track, first-time writers are invited to submit original and unperformed pieces of work, the best of which will be performed in the Write Festival at the Royal Exchange Studio in June next year.
Previous writing experience is not necessary and to help would-be playwrights find their way through the intricacies of writing their first play, the Royal Exchange, will be holding a full series of writers' workshops over the autumn, both at the theatre and across the city to provide encouragement, guidance and support.
Uniquely, five local partners, Bruntwood, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Mail, Cooperative Insurance and Manchester law firm DLA, will be holding workshops in the workplace from next Thursday, while a series of 12 free lunchtime workshops covering such topics as "Structure and Style", "Character and Voice", "Action and Objectives" begin at the theatre itself towards the end of October.
In 2001 the Royal Exchange launched the first Write Festival, which was aimed at writers aged 16-24. The response was phenomenal with countless scripts submitted to the theatre, all of which received first-hand attention from the panel of judges.
The winner Quids'n' Dimps, by Adam Grayson, received a sell-out production in The Studio. Adam has since been taken on by a literary agent and is currently working on a new play and screenplay. The three runners-up also had high profile stage readings.
Nathan Longfield has joined the Royal Court Young Writers programme and his play, Curry Boys, was shortlisted in a national writers'competition run by the Royal Court, while Laura Harper's play, XXX Live Chat is being made into a short film by Channel M.
The fourth winner, Nick Leather, is currently on a writer's attachment at the Exchange, penning a new play and being mentored by past writer-in-residence Simon Stephens, whose acclaimed Port premiered at the Exchange last autumn.
Shobna Gulati
In fact, Simon is one of the judging panel this year, joined by actress actress Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Dinner Ladies), BBC Radio drama producer Polly Thomas, writer and Coronation Street creator Tony Warren, and Michael and Jean Oglesby from competition sponsors Bruntwood, one of the largest privately owned commercial property companies in the north-west.
Their support of new artistic talent is well documented, particularly their Bursary For New Plays at the Royal Exchange, which is now entering its seventh year.
In March next year the judges will choose four scripts which they feel should be developed further. The writers of these scripts will work with a director and a full company of professional actors.
Simon Stephens believes there is nothing like watching your own work being produced.
He says: "The simple power of watching live actors, feet away from you, acting a story that you have poured your soul into is incredible.
"And the astonishment of watching complete strangers sitting around you in the audience, laughing at your jokes or crying at the moments you hoped would make them cry is unlike anything else you will ever experience.''
For full details of Write 2, please contact: Write Administrator, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH or call 0161 615 6708. Full details of the competition can be found by logging on to the website below. The closing date for scripts is January 31, 2004.
Published: Fri, 03 October, 2003
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