News and Events
24 November 2009

Last Chance to Book for Devising Workshop
Devising for Performance - a Workshop with Splendid Productions
This Sunday, 29 November
1-5 pm
How do you turn a story into a play? How do you add visual excitement, music and physicality to scripted work? How can you tap into the imaginations of your creative team and work together to create theatre magic? Learn how to use the technique of devising to develop your work as a writer, director or actor in this WRiTEON sponsored workshop which is part of Cambridge Wordfest. Workshop leaders Splendid Productions work with groups of all ages and levels of experience. They use a Brechtian approach - incorporating interruptions, breaking the fourth wall, actors playing mutiple parts, simple scenic design, etc.- to create powerful theatre. For more information see: www.splendidproductions.co.uk and www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk

Venue: Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Recital Room
£25 for WRiTEON subscribers
Book free online (as a student): www.adctheatre.com
or ring the ADC Box Office: 01223 300085

Submissions Now Open for Naked Stage - Act Two
Deadline: 5 January 2010

Following sell-out performances in our five week autumn series, the second half of our annual Naked Stage readings is now open for submissions. We are looking for new plays or scenes from work in progress up to one hour in length. Please click here to see the full guidelines - only plays that meet these guidelines will be considered.

Artistic Directors for this half of our Naked Stage season have now been appointed - they are Julia Bolden and Trisha Rawson. Scripts submitted between August and November have been forwarded to them and they will contact authors directly.

To submit new scripts, please email to julia@writeon.org.uk before 5 January 2010.

Naked Stage 2010 - Act Two
Performances: Sundays, January 24th and 31st, February 7th, 14th and 21st
Larkum Studio, ADC Theatre
5 pm

Naked Stage Casting and Production Session - Mark Your Diaries
10 January 2010
Venue and Time TBC

Writers and potential actors, directors and producers for Naked Stage readings are invited to attend this session. The session will include:

Readings from the scripts to be performed;
Discussion of WRiTEON's rehearsal process;
Discussion of WRiTEON productions;
Discussion of writers' roles in the process.

Casting sessions are held in order to meet actors and directors who have not worked with us before and to introduce directors and producers to the range of actors available. Writers are encouraged to attend as well but please RSVP so we have some idea of numbers.

If you are interested in acting or directing but cannot attend this session, please contact the artistic directors, Julia Bolden or Trish Rawson.

RSVP to: julia@writeon.org.uk

WRiTEON Playgoing Group - Morecambe at the Mumford Theatre
Saturday 5th December, 7.30pm

All are welcome to the next outing of the WRiTEON Playgoing group. Drinks before and after at a venue TBC.

Theatre Tours International & Feather Productions
Morecambe - The man what brought us sunshine
by Tim Whitnall
directed by Guy Masterson
starring Bob Golding

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of his untimely final curtain, Morecambe celebrates the extraordinary life of Britain's best loved comic. Featuring the multi-talented Bob Golding - who could have been born to play Eric - penned by the brilliant Tim Whitnall and directed by solo-maestro Guy Masterson, Morecambe is a must see for all fans of classic British comedy.

"a tour-de-force tribute to Eric Morecambe" * * * * * Telegraph

"it's impossible not to be infected" **** Metro

Venue: Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University
Click here for directions
Tickets: £10.00 (£8.00 concessions)
Book your own ticket by calling the box office: 0845 196 2320 (local rate) or 01223 352932.

RSVP to: julia@writeon.org.uk.

Write a Play on the Day - WRiTEON at Mill Road Winter Fair
Saturday, 5 December, from 10 am

Visit the WRiTEON stall in the marquee on Donkey Green (by the swimming pool) to submit your script to be played on the day by our intrepid team of actors. There are lots of reasons to visit the Mill Road winter fair - see here for a list - but not least is to support us and help us reach out to larger communities of creative people. Your help on the day (acting, copying out submitted scripts, talking to the public) is always welcome - write to co-ordinator Anita Lehmann at nitalehmann@yahoo.com to volunteer.

WRiTEON Script Reading and Feedback Group

The Script Reading/Feedback group met on 17 November with seven writers attending. They read three pieces, including two radio plays and a TV drama. As well as useful feedback, these also triggered discussions about TV and Radio Drama and Comedy generally, opinions on material seen or heard by members, and tips on submission criteria picked up from courses attended and from BBC Writers' Room.

The group is on-going and open to new writers at any time. Writers are welcome bring their work in progress for stage-by-stage feedback or to submit new work in all genres and media. Submission of work is not a requirement - writers are welcome to attend as often as they like before submitting. As the script deadline for WRiTEON's Naked Stage Act 2 is January 5th, the December meeting will be a good opportunity for anyone wanting to submit to that to try out their play in advance with a view to honing it ready for submission.

The next meeting will take place Tuesday 15th December at 7.15pm at:36a The Limes, Harston, Cambridge CB22 7QT

If you have questions or would like to join the group, please contact Julia Bolden at julia@writeon.org.uk

Writing Opportunities

The Sitcom Mission
Deadline: 31 December 2009

The aim of The Sitcom Mission is to provide a platform for new comedy writing. With an emphasis on script development, The Sitcom Mission is looking for 15-minute, stageable sitcom scripts. The best of them will be workshopped with actors and directors, and the top 16 will go through to a knock-out contest in front of a public audience and showcased for the industry at a central London venue in Spring 2010, with industry judges deciding which sitcoms will go through to the Grand Final.

To find out more and enter, visit The Sitcom Mission website.

Script Space Submissions Open
Deadline: 15 January 2010

Script Space, the Tobacco Factory Theatre's forum for new writing, returns for a third year and invites submissions of original plays to be considered for a series of rehearsed, script-in-hand readings.

Last year the theatre received over 250 submissions and selected four new, diverse plays to be read publicly. A talented team of directors and actors worked to bring each one to life and post-reading discussions allowed for constructive feedback from the audience, which proved an invaluable part of the process.

Script Space 3 will focus on one-act plays, allowing more than one play to be read on any given date. Submissions for 2010 must be between 15 and 60 minutes in length, be written for a maximum of four actors, and contain simple stage directions where required.

To apply, email your script to: scriptspace@tobaccofactory.com.

For more information, please contact Sophie Lomax or Oliver Millingham at the above address or visit the website.

High Tide Festival 2011 - Submissions Open
Deadline: 15 May 2010

HighTide exists to

Source, develop, and produce the latest emerging talent in new writing.
Invite a selection of mentor figures from the leading established artists in the industry to work with the company.
Premiere new work at their annual HighTide Festival in Suffolk, and support the life of this work beyond the festival with national and international transfers and tours.

HighTide welcome international scripts, written in English, on the basis that all selected writers are available in the UK for the dramaturgy, rehearsal, and production period.

To find out more and apply, visit the HighTide website.

Writer Wanted (Short Play), 360 Theatre
Closes Friday 11 December 2009
Unpaid

New theatre company 360 Theatre are now looking for short scripts for production in early 2010. 360 will be looking to put on 3 performances in 60 minutes and are therefore looking for short plays with a running time no longer than 20 minutes.

This is an opportunity for new writers to see their work performed in London by professional actors under professional direction.

There is no restriction on content but the scripts must fulfil the following criteria:

Running time of 20 minutes maximum.
Minimal staging / technical requirements. (Table, chairs etc.)

Please ensure that you put a cover page on the script with full contact details.

360 Theatre are looking for NEW writing and therefore will not be producing adapted versions of previously performed work.

Send scripts to 360scripts@googlemail.com

STAGE International Script Competition
Deadline: December 15, 2009

The STAGE International Script Competition has now become a biennial competition.
S T A G E = Scientists Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration.
The Professional Artists Lab and the California NanoSystems Institute will collaborate internationally with professional artists to create and develop multi-media theatre pieces in which science and technology play prominent roles in content and/or form.

For current guidelines and all details please visit the STAGE website

Action Theatre Trail
Deadline: 31 December 2009

The Arundel Festival Theatre Trail, conceived and presented by Drip Action Theatre Company, is now in its tenth year. It performs at the end of August, on each of the Festival's eight days, eight short plays at eight different venues all over Arundel - last year, for example, in a living room, a kitchen, a restaurant, and a pub.

Writers are invited to submit plays for next year's Trail.

Plays should be about 30 minutes long, suitable for daytime performance, with practicable casting and props. All entries should be submitted to:

Drip Action Theatre Trail 2010
1 Norfolk House
28 High Street
Arundel
West Sussex
BN18 9AB

One play only per entrant, in hard copy. Please enclose an SAE if you'd like your play returned.

The best submitted play will receive the Joy Goun award of £200 at the Theatre Trail launch in May 2010, and each successful playwright will receive a £150 writer's fee.

For further information call 019 0388 5250 or email: dripactioninfo@btinternet.com.

Community Events

Cambridge Wordfest this Sunday
29 November
Events begin 10 am

The one day Cambridge Winter Wordfest literary festival occurs this Sunday, 29 November. This celebration of the word includes talks and performances by David McKee, Roy Hattersley, Margaret Drabble, Penelope Lively, mystery writers Mark Billingham and Val McDermid, Anthony Giddens, Ruth Rogers of the River Cafe fame, and John O' Farrell.

A highlight for WRiTEON supporters is Wordfest's first foray into theatre: Splendid Productions' one hour production of Woyzeck, George Büchner's famous unfinished play about a soldier's descent into murderous madness. By turns comic and tragic, this is an amazing production which garnered popular and critical praise at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The play takes place at 8.30 pm. There is also a workshop with Splendid Productions from 1-5 pm at ARU. For full programme details visit: www.cambridgewordfest.co.uk.

Venue: ADC Theatre
Tickets from £6
Book Free online: www.adctheatre.com
Box Office: 01223 300085

Paul Richard's Jiggery Pokery Cabaret
Wednesday evenings from 25 November, 9 pm

An alternative cabaret night for Cambridge organised by popular WRiTEON comedy writer, musician and raconteur Paul Richards, mixing live music with top-notch comedy every Wednesday at The Cornerhouse (Newmarket Road).

25th November
Live music from The Lost Weekend and Tom Tilbury, live comedy from Ahir Shah and David Trent.

2nd December
Live music from The Damsons and Paul Goodwin, live comedy from Jude Simpson and Kevin Wright.

9th December - Christmas Special
Live music from Lu and Emerald Sky, live comedy from Helen Thorn, Andy Higson and Jen Spencer.

The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
231 Newmarket Road
CB5 8JE
Entry Free!

The Scat Pack in...LIGHTS! CAMERA! IMPROVISE!

Members of The Scat Pack have been leading WRiTEON's popular Improvisation group on Monday nights. See them in action in London in their long form Improv show, which received rave reviews at this summer's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Venue: The Etcetera Theatre
Date: Saturday 5th December
Time: 9:30pm
Cost: £6.50 (£5.50 Concession) + £1.50 Membership Fee
Book online via TicketWeb
or
Book by phone on 020 7482 4857

AND

Venue: The Canal Cafe Theatre
Date: Sunday 13th December
Time: 7:00pm (1 hr)
Cost: £6.50 (£5.50 Concession) + £1.50 Membership Fee
Book online at The Canal Cafe Theatre Website: www.canalcafetheatre.com/Calendar.php
Book by phone on 020 7289 6054

For more info visit the Scat Pack website.

Three Events with John Lyons

"Exuberantly Creative" Poet, Artist, Cook and WRiTEON supporter John Lyons has three upcoming events to celebrate the current Art to Die For exhibition of which his works are a part and the publication of his two newest books: Cook-up in a Trini Kitchen - deliciously authentic Caribbean recipes with poems, stories, and paintings - and No Apples in Eden - a generous selection from four previous highly-praised volumes of verse.

Wednesday, 25 November - Artists Talk at the Williams Art Gallery

The Williams Art Gallery, home of the nascent Cambridge Arts Movement, hosts this Artists Talk with John and his fellow artist Deanna Tyson, both of whose works are currently on display at the gallery as part of the exhibition, Art to Die For.

7.00 to 8:30pm
Free event - Booking essential - email cam@williamsart.co.uk
Williams Art
5 Dale’s Brewery
(beneath the old clock)
Gwydir Street
Cambridge CB1 2LJ

Thursday, 26 November - Author Event at Topping & Company Booksellers, Ely

The near-simultaneous appearance of Cook-up in a Trini Kitchen and No Apples in Eden prompted this opportunity to celebrate John's work in his home territory. Mouth-watering food samples prepared by the artist and cook are promised, along with an illustrated talk and reading.

7.15 for 7.30pm
Tickets £6 - redeemable against a copy of Cook-up in a Trini Kitchen purchased on the night
Topping & Company Booksellers of Ely
9 High Street
Ely
CB7 4LJ
Book at Toppings or ring Tel: (01353) 645005
www.toppingbooks.co.uk

Friday, 27 November - Art To Die For Closing Event

John will be treating guests to a taste of his cooking and a poetry reading - food for body and soul - in this celebratory event at the Williams Gallery.

From 7.00 pm
Free event - Booking essential - email cam@williamsart.co.uk
Williams Art
5 Dale’s Brewery
(beneath the old clock)
Gwydir Street
Cambridge CB1 2LJ

A Warning to the Curious: Two Ghost Stories by M R James
14 - 19th December, 8pm

Following the critically acclaimed A Pleasing Terror and the prize winning Oh, Whistle... , local performer R M Lloyd Parry invites WRiTEON members to the final instalment of his MR James trilogy. The performance includes Lost Hearts, one of the first stories James wrote, which presents us with one of his most memorable villains, the predatory scholar Mr Abney. It is paired here with one the author’s most poignant and personal works: A Warning to the Curious, in which a young archaeologist is haunted and hunted by the guardian of an ancient treasure. The English seaside has never looked so menacing. For more info see: www.nunkie.co.uk.

Venue: Corpus Playroom, St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge
Tickets £9 / £8 from Scudamore’s on 01223 359750