We kick off our new season this autumn with a special showing at the Watershed of a film for which our Chairman, Mike Grant, was Associate Producer, Co-author, Sound Designer and B Cameraman. Den of Thieves is showing at the Watershed on Wednesday, 4 September at 8.00pm. It lasts around one hour and 15 minutes and will be supported by a 10-minute short.
Our new series of meetings starts on Tuesday, 10 September in the Cooper’s Loft, Theatre Royal, King Street, Bristol 1, and promises to be a varied and fascinating season. Everyone attending pays £1. If you’re not sure how to find the Cooper’s Loft, ask at the bar on the first floor.
Tuesday, 10 September at 7.30pm: The News Today by Jessica Townsend
The first of our Spotlight evenings of rehearsed readings of whole new plays. We open with Jessica’s play, which will be read by members of Crumbling Walls Theatre Group. Jessica has received development money from The Hampstead Theatre to progress this play, and the reading we hear will give her a chance to make final changes before re-submitting it. So your comments afterwards will be welcome!
Tuesday, 17 September at 7.30pm: One Voice competition entries
An evening of readings of entries by members for the One Voice competition for six-minute monologues, duologues, short stories or letters. Southwest Scriptwriter Steve Hennessy is a former winner of this prestigious competition. So please put pen to paper and write a six-minute piece.
Tuesday, 24 September at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Bring along an extract of anything you’re working on and have it read out.
Tuesday, 1 October at 7.30pm: The History of the Theatre with Gordon Ellis
In the first of three talks, Gordon covers the period from early tribal rites to the origins of medieval mystery plays. Amongst a very colourful career, Gordon has previously been a guest lecturer on Theatre History at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Tuesday, 8 October at 7.30pm: A talk on Structure by Andy Graham and Tim Massey
If you’re great on plot, dialogue and characterisation, but still feel there’s something missing, this is the talk you must come to.
Tuesday, 15 October at 7.30pm: Open Workshop
Anna Standon
Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Anna Standon, who attended our meetings regularly. Anna had enjoyed considerable success as a writer of children’s books, which her husband, Ted, illustrated. Our condolences and best wishes to Ted and the family.
Birmingham Rep bursary for Jessica
Jessica Townsend has been awarded a bursary by Birmingham Rep to develop her play The Sly and Sudden Deathwish of the Experienced Traveller. This follows her successes with Hampstead Theatre (development money) and the Royal Court (a rehearsed reading). Well done, Jessica.
Tim starts PhD
Tim Massey, our Creative Director, has been accepted for a PhD course in Creative Writing at University of Wales, Cardiff. Let’s hope he’ll pick up some good tips to pass onl