News and Events
22 October 2009

New Year Naked Stage Submissions Opening Soon
January 24th and 31st, February 7th, 14th and 21st
Larkum Studio, ADC Theatre, 5 pm

We have now agreed with the ADC Theatre as to the dates of the second five weeks of WRiTEON's Naked Stage season, 09/10. We will be performing at the earlier time of 5-7 pm for these five dates - perfect for dark winter Sundays and plenty of time for a drink or meal afterward.  Submissions will open soon - instruction for new and re-submissions to follow. Start your laptops (or pencils, pens, typewriters, dictaphones, amanuenses...) now!

This Sunday's Naked Stage Programme
25 October 2009
7 pm
Larkum Studio, ADC Theatre
Book free online: www.adctheatre.com
Box Office: 01223 300085

Examinations by John Parry
Mike teaches all day and annoys his family all night. Not content with one career, he becomes an examiner, but his own wife and daughter need much more than money and Michael Jackson posters. A tough summer in a world obsessed with assessing and grading but never stopping to think.
Cast: Brian Higgins, Carla Moore, David Monksfield, Juliette Burton
Directed by: Jo Smythe

Ninety Nine One Hundred by Paul Kirkley
On a railway bridge at night, two lonely people meet with one desperate aim. But one of them is determined to make a name for himself - if it’s the last thing he does.
Cast: Phil Orvis, Holly Race
Directed by: Anita Lehmann

WRiTEON Casual Scriptreading/Feedback Group
Next Meeting: Tuesday 17th November, 7.15pm
36a The Limes, Harston CB22 7QT

The casual scriptreading and feedback group meets monthly to provide feedback on scripts in progress. Last month's meeting saw four scripts read aloud and discussed. Scripts include one sketch and three scenes from longer works in progress - two for radio and one for television. All writers are welcome to attend these meetings. You don't have to bring a script and there is no guarantee yours will be read at your first session if you do - but it will be eventually. For more information, please contact organiser Julia Bolden at julia@writeon.org.uk.

Writing Opportunities

You Write the Play at Hampstead Theatre
28 October - 7 November
Hampstead Theatre

As part of its Daring Pairings New Writing Festival, Hampstead Theatre is inviting writers to contribute a line to an on-line script which aims to create a new world record for a play with the most authors. The result will be performed as part of the festival. To contribute your line, visit http://www.youwritetheplay.com/

Submissions Open for The First Twenty Minutes, Writer's Avenue
Deadline for submissions: 15th November 2009.  
Performances: 15th and 16th January 2010
The Rosemary Branch, London

New UK theatre company Writer's Avenue is offering new writers a platform to develop their writing through their monthly event The First 20 Minutes.

Once a month three new writers can show their work in progress in a fringe venue for free. Writer's Avenue will choose three contrasting plays, and perform the first twenty minutes of each in front of an audience. After each performance the writer will receive verbal feedback and will have a chance to ask questions. The audience will then receive a feedback form which will be collected and handed to the writer to help develop the script.

Send the first twenty minutes of your script to submissions@writersavenue.co.uk with a short synopsis and a short cover letter.                                                               

Writers submitting a script do not have to have previous experience but the first twenty minutes must grab our attention in order to be selected.

Contact: Sandra Quartey and Zoe Ambrose submissions@writersavenue.co.uk
For more information go to www.writersavenue.co.uk

Workshops

WRiTEON Sponsored Devising Workshop at Cambridge Wordfest
29 November 2009
1-5 pm
Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Recital Room
£25 for WRiTEON Subscribers - Quote "WRiTEON Discount" when booking
Book at ADC Box Office or by phone 01223 300085

Devising for Performance: A Workshop for Writers, Directors and Actors
 
Devising is the process of working with a group to turn an idea into a performable piece. Explore this creative technique with  Splendid Productions, fresh from critical success at the Edinburgh Fringe with their groundbreaking devised production of Buchner's Woyzeck. Using their highly-structured Brechtian approach, you will be part of the birth of a new piece of theatre. An active workshop for all levels of experience - the only prerequisite is the desire to get up and get creative!
For more information see: www.splendidproductions.co.uk and www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk

Improv Comedy Workshop - Taster Sessions
Mondays, 9 & 16 November, 7.30-10pm
Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Road,CB4 2LD
£10 per session or £15 for both

A few spaces are still available in this series of two workshops led by Jonathan Burke of The Scat Pack - acclaimed for its long form improv performances at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at Whose Line is it Anyway type improvisational games this is your chance. No experience or inborn wittiness necessary, just a bit of courage and the desire to try it out.

Lifts are available from the centre of Cambridge or station. If you need a lift, please let Michelle know when booking.

To book, write to michelle@writeon.org.uk

Words & Music - Writing for Musical Theatre with David Harsent
Saturday 14th November 2009
10.30am-4.30pm
Michaelhouse Cafe, Trinity Street, Cambridge
£49 (£35 concessions)

This advanced workshop covers two related subjects: writing words for music theatre, and the music that's inherent in words. You'll need to provide three things in advance: a brief scenario for an opera you might one day write, the first page of that opera, and a finished poem. All of these will form the basis of a discussion and practical exercises about what it is to write words which are meant to be sung.

Email: administration@poetryschool.com for more details about how to submit your work. Visit http://www.poetryschool.com/?courses=1 to book.

Acting Opportunities

Male Actors Wanted Urgently, Impact Universal Ltd
Closes Friday 30 October 2009
Full-time, Paid, Yorkshire (Accomodation paid) 

TIE company urgently looking for male actors with a full and current driving licence for shows touring between now and Christmas 2009.  The shows use drama to deliver messages to motivate and challenge students and encourage them to stay in education.  You must have a playing age of 16-25, and the ability to play multiple roles and a diverse range of characters and accents.  Ideally you should have a minimum of three years drama training.

Rates of pay are £300 per week and all accommodation is paid for during rehearsals and whilst out on tour.

Contact: Ian Townsend ian.townsend@impactuniversal.com

Actors / Actresses Wanted for Radio Play
Closes Tuesday 27 October 2009
 Unpaid, London based     
Auditions are being held for a new radio play called Good as New from promising new playwright Anna Connolly. Roles are available for men and women of various ages and types, including elderly men and women. Cockney and Iranian accents may be useful for two of the female parts. Story takes place in a hospice on the High Street. Some roles may be doubled.

Please reply with brief covering letter and resume by Tuesday 27th of October by 5.00 to: Alex Matthews: alexandra.anna.matthews@googlemail.com.

Community Notices and Events

WRiTEON Member's Monologue Success

Long term WRiTEON writer and director Jean Rhys-Lyons' historical monologue, Annie Hurst of Hanging Ditch, has been chosen as a winning entry in the Voices of Todmorden creative writing competition which was open to residents and ex-residents of the area.  Run by the award winning Hippodrome Theatre in celebration of its centenary year, in conjunction with Todmorden News, the play will be performed at The Hippodrome, Todmorden on 13th and 14th November.
 
Jean's monologue was first seen at this year's MAD festival at the ADC theatre.

See http://www.todhip.org.uk/ for more information.
 
First Public Screening of Vital Communities Film: Spotlight
Thursday 29 October, 5.30-7 pm
Arts Picturehouse, St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge
Free, all welcome, Booking required.
Book with: Susan Potter, Vital Communities (Joint) Project Manager on 01223 715477 or email susan.potter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

Children, families, friends and community members from across the county are invited to celebrate the achievements of the Vital Communities project with a special screening of Spotlight, an inspiring short film by Dominique Chadwick which documents the impacts of the Vital Communities arts and research project taking place in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The film focuses upon four locations: Eastfield in Peterborough, Sutton in East Cambs, Trumpington in Cambridge City and Wisbech St Mary in Fenland. Each community has responded in a different way to the project and each has a story to tell in this uplifting and thought-provoking film.

This event will include the film showing, a Q and A panel, live music and refreshments and is part of this year’s Festival of Ideas and is supported by the Cambridgeshire Film Consortium, the Cambridge Film Trust and the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse.

Vital Communities is a partnership project resourced by Arts Council England East and the seven local authorities of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This event is free and open to everyone, but seats must be booked in advance.

The Fahrenheit Twins at the Junction
Adapted by Told by an Idiot and Matthew Dunster
Based on the book by Michel Faber
Monday 02 - Thursday 05 November
The Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge, CB1 7GX
Tickets £12/£6 (conc).
Box Office: 01223 511 511 
www.junction.co.uk

Fantastical and captivating, The Fahrenheit Twins tells the story of two siblings who live with their scientist parents on a remote arctic exploration station.  Their existence is perfect, until one day their mother unexpectedly takes to her bed and life for the twins will never be the same again.

Celebrated for their visual imagery and anarchic comic invention, co-Artistic Directors of Told by an Idiot, Hayley Carmichael and Paul Hunter, bring acclaimed author Michel Faber’s funny and savage story vividly to life.

The performance on Thursday 05 November will be followed by a post-show discussion with Hayley Carmichael and Paul Hunter.

A number of free tickets are available for under 26 year olds through Arts Council England’s A Night Less Ordinary scheme.  More information about the scheme can be found by visiting www.junction.co.uk/anightlessordinary.

**** Told by an Idiot have a hit on their hands.  The Guardian

Junction Masterclass Series - Told By An Idiot - Bigger Than Life
Friday 6th November 2009,
10 am - 5 pm,
J3 The Junction
Book at www.junction.co.uk

Bigger Than Life is a lively and practical workshop led by Told by an Idiot's Co-Artistic Directors, Paul Hunter and Hayley Carmichael.  Participants will explore Told by an Idiot's creative process as they transformed Michel Faber's enthralling story The Fahrenheit Twins into a piece of theatre and examine the company's unique style of improvisation.  Suitable for ages 18+.  For more information contact kate@junction.co.uk.
Participants receive a 50% discount on their ticket for Told by an Idiot's The Fahrenheit Twins (Mon 02 - Thu 05 Nov).

Nunkie Theatre Company presents:
Oh, Whistle...Two Ghost Stories by M R James
Performed by R M Lloyd Parry
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2009, 8pm
Kingston Village Hall
Tickets £10 .  Box office: 01223 262094
Suitable for ages 13+

This Hallowe’en Nunkie Theatre Company bring a seasonal chill to Kingston Village Hall, South Cambs, with this acclaimed retelling of two of the eeriest and most entertaining tales by M R James, the master of the English ghost story.

Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad - a tale of nocturnal horror on the Suffolk coast - is considered by many to be the author’s masterpiece. It is beautifully complemented here by The Ash Tree, a story of witchcraft and vengeance down the generations.

Oh, Whistle... is the sequel to Lloyd Parry’s critically acclaimed one-man show A Pleasing Terror, which toured the UK, USA and Ireland in 2006 / 2007. It was awarded the The Dracula Society’s 2007 Hamilton Deane Award.  

***** Wonderful, magical storytelling (The Daily Mail)
 
For further information visit www.nunkie.co.uk