The three meetings left before we break for the summer will be our last at Bristol Old Vic for at least 18 months while the theatre is closed for refurbishment. There has also been a lot of speculation about its longer term future, but we hope to be back at BOV if and when it reopens at the end of next year. Meanwhile, the Southwest Scriptwriters show goes on and we’re looking for somewhere else to meet in the autumn. More news when there is some.
Please make a note of our meeting dates in your diary as they aren’t all consecutive Tuesdays: it’s two on the trot and a week’s break before the last one. All of the meetings take place at 7.30pm in the Macready Room at Bristol Old Vic in King Street — ask at the box office if you need directions to the Macready. You can also find a list of the dates, times and locations of our programme on the Diary page of our website. Everyone attending a meeting contributes £1 to group funds.
Tuesday, 29 May at 7.30pm: Right Enough by Michelle Preston
Tonight’s meeting features a reading of a mid-series episode of Michelle Preston’s sitcom, Right Enough, which she’s rewritten following feedback from the group last year: Eager to expose the local farming community, the owners of an animal rights charity shop, Gladys and Maddie, hatch a plan. On the night of the single farmers’ party, they go under the cover of sequins to expose the truth. Meanwhile, their own relationships flounder.
We’ll also be hearing work by Bill Maryon this evening.
Tuesday, 5 June at 7.30pm. Open Workshop
Featuring Call Me, a new play by Adrian Harris. Adrian’s producing his script as half of a double-bill in the Alma Tavern at the end of July, so this is his chance to get feedback for a final polish of his play and your chance to hear it first!
Also on the bill in tonight’s workshop is a shorter piece by Stephanie Weston.
Tuesday, 19 June at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Tonight we’ll be hearing part of Jon Preece’s stage play.
Paines Plough Seeks Young Writers
Paines Plough has launched Future Perfect, a year-long attachment for playwrights aged 18 to 30, aiming to ‘create a space for writers to explore their individual voices.’ The submission deadline for the initiative is 11 June and you can find further details on Paines Plough’s website.
Theatre West’s Search for a Script
A reminder that you have until this Friday, 1 June, to submit your 1500-word treatment for a play that lasts about an hour with a cast of four or fewer to Theatre West for possible production in the company’s autumn season in the Alma Tavern. More information on the company is available on its website.
Petition the PMs
A reminder also to petition Tony Blair until 27 June and Gordon Brown thereafter if you feel that National Lottery money should not be diverted to the Olympian shortfall. Current proposals would see the Grants for the Arts fund slashed by 35%, meaning that groups like Southwest Scriptwriters will find it even harder to win grants for additional projects, while other organisations — many of which stand to gain little or nothing from the 2012 Olympics — will be unable to survive.