Our week of rehearsed readings in the New Vic was a great success, so we can look forward to our new season with renewed enthusiasm. All meetings take place in the Cooper’s Loft (except 19 May) at the Bristol Old Vic in King Street.
Ask at the bar on the first floor for directions. Everyone attending pays £1.
Tuesday, 19 May at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
In the Rehearsal Room, one floor down from the Cooper’s Loft.
Tuesday, 26 May at 7.30pm: Open discussion with Lucy Catherine, the new Pearson Writer-in-Residence at the Bristol Old Vic
Lucy has had two radio plays commissioned, plus productions of stage plays at the Croydon Warehouse and Nuffield Theatre, Southampton.
Tuesday, 2 June at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tuesday, 9 June at 7.30pm: Broonzy Blues by Will Grealish
The story of Big Bill Breonzy, the first blues artist to tour Britain in 1951.
Tuesday, 16 June at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tuesday, 23 June at 7.30pm: A reading of a new play by Toby Farrow — title yet to be decided
Tuesday, 30 June at 8.00pm: Drinks at Renato’s in King Street
An informal gathering before the summer break when the theatre is closed.
New Vic rehearsed readings — first and next series
The week of rehearsed readings at the New Vic was a great success: we nearly broke even on the box office and all four productions achieved high artistic standards. Andy Hay, Ian Hastings and Catherine Johnson from the theatre all supported the event. One of our writers, Toby Farrow, has as a result been taken under the wing of Ian Hastings. Our thanks to all the actors and directors and BOV staff who did such a terrific job — and to those of you who came along on one, two or in some cases all four evenings. Your support was greatly appreciated.
Our next season of professional rehearsed readings may not take place until the New Year as the New Vic is not available to us this autumn. Four plays will be selected from submissions. Since it seems that a number of you did not attend the New Vic week because you had already seen earlier drafts of the plays, these four new plays will be developed outside the group. That way, we hope to get a significantly bigger audience next time around!
BBC accepts Mel’s word-play play
Congratulations to Mel Cox whose radio play A Play on the Word ‘Sleep’ has been accepted for production by the BBC’s Minute Radio team. Based on a Margaret Atwood poem, this examines the romantic vision of sharing your partner’s dream world, but with a twist!
Alibi seeks new writers
Theatre Alibi is looking to work with two new writers to develop short pieces for performance in August 1998. They produce work for both adults and children.
Entries for million dollar screenwriting award
Entries are now being accepted for the second $1 Million King Arthur Screenwriters’ Award. Up to ten writers will share the money and winners’ scripts will be proposed for production.