Following the Easter break, we’re having one continuous seven-week season to take us straight through to our summer break as, unfortunately, the Macready Room isn’t available for the last three weeks of June.
Tuesday, 25 April at 7.30pm: Speeding by Tim Massey
Ten romantic hopefuls share dating’s answer to the microwave meal in Tim’s stage comedy-drama.
Tuesday, 2 May at 7.30pm: Work by Paul Gait and John Boas
Suicide is Painless is one episode of Paul’s six-part sitcom based on the antics of a ‘hapless’ DIYer. The Monkey’s Paw is John’s adaptation of the classic W W Jacobs short story which focuses on the cruelty of children to one another. The Monkey’s Paw is a cursed object and gives the holder three wishes; but be careful what you wish for as tempting fate can result in horrific events.
Tuesday, 9 May at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tuesday, 16 May at 7.30pm: Five-minute competition entries
We’re hoping to have the results of our competition from TAPS — in which case we’ll read the winners as well as other entries — so please come with your script.
Tuesday, 23 May at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tuesday, 6 June at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tonight’s meeting will include a treatment by Margaret Crump.
Royal Court Fifty success
Congratulations to Pete Kesterton who, following the success of his Air Guitar in the Bristol Old Vic Studio, has been nominated to be one of the The Royal Court Fifty. The Royal Court has teamed up with BBC writersroom to launch a mentoring scheme for the UK’s most promising new drama writers as part of the theatre’s 50th birthday celebrations — and fifty writers from across the country will receive a bursary and masterclasses exploring writing for theatre, radio, film and television. Over the course of a year, they will work closely with specially selected mentors and be invited to submit material or proposals for an attachment to the Royal Court, and commissions for Radio 3’s The Wire, Radio 4’s Afternoon Play and a BBC TV Drama. Mentors will include BBC script-editors and producers across the range of comedy and drama on BBC TV and radio, including high profile series such as Doctor Who and EastEnders. The scheme is also supported by the Peggy Ramsay Foundation, a charity that invests heavily in new talent and writing. Alan Yentob, Corporation creative director, said: “The BBC like the Royal Court has always sought out the best new writing talent. This unique partnership not only supports 50 original new voices but enriches the talent base for the wider creative industries in the UK.”
Dates for your TV diary
Put a date in your diary for our Honorary President, Michael Jenner’s latest appearances on the box, both on BBC 1: EastEnders on Friday, 30 June (mid-World Cup!) and Holby City on Tuesday, 8 August.
Bognor Regis Drama Club One-Act Playwriting Competition
Entries are invited from Southwest Scriptwriters for the One-Act Playwriting Competition organised by the Bognor Regis Drama Club. The fee is £4.00, scripts should be between 20 and 45 minutes long, and the closing date is Thursday, 31 August 2006. Three winners will receive a small cash prize and a performance of their work next spring. This year’s judge is Tracey Low, Associate Producer at Chichester Festival Theatre.
International Screenwriters’ Festival 2006
Taking place at the Cheltenham Film Studios between 27 June and 1 July 2006, the International Screenwriters’ Festival comprises a three-day industry gathering, a new writers’ day and a series of public events. The Festival will be a hothouse of storytelling and script-writing, giving writers and industry professionals a forum to discuss their work, develop new alliances and discover new ways of working.
Screenwriters’ Festival website