News and Events
16 June 2010

First Night a Sellout - Book Now for MAD 27 June

Eleven plays. Seven writers. Fourteen actors. With a packed schedule like that our first night of the Monologues and Duologues Festival  2010 lived up to its nickname. It was also the first night for us in the ADC Theatre Bar and everyone agreed this was a perfect venue for what we do, with great sight lines, lovely, relaxed ambience, and of course room for lots more people - though we still packed it out and had to turn last minute buyers away at the door. Remember - we skip this coming Sunday but have another full programme for you on the 27th and on the three consecutive Sundays following. Don't be disappointed - book early!

27 June, 4, 11 & 18 July
7 - 9.30 pm
ADC Bar
Book free online: www.adctheatre.com
Box Office: 01223 300085

Two WRiTEON London Theatre Outings

WRiTEON members will be attending the following two events and welcome interested others:

Lights! Camera! Improvise! - The Scat Pack at the New Diorama Theatre
The Scat Pack are the acclaimed long form comedy improvisation group, members of which lead the WRiTEON Improv classes when they can. They are debuting this Sunday at a new venue and need lots of support to secure the gig. If you are interested in attending, please book your own tickets and let Michelle know you are coming: michelle@writeon.org.uk.

When: Sunday, 20 June 2010, 8:00-9:00 pm
Where: The New Diorama Theatre, 15 - 16 Triton Street, Regents Place, London, NW1 3BF
Closest Tube: Great Portland Street
Tickets: £8.50/£7.50
Online booking: www.newdiorama.com/
Phone booking: 0844 2090 344
More info: www.thescatpack.co.uk

Best of 3 - Knock Out Theatre
Best of 3 involves three teams of actors who "compete" in performing the same 3 pieces of new writing. The audience chooses the winning team, who receive a chunk of the night's takings. Best of 3 is looking for writers for the short scripts required, so this outing is a chance to see the sort of thing they need. Keen actors may also like to check it out with an eye toward having a go at the competition! Tickets are available on the door only. If you are interested in attending with us, let Julia  know by writing to julia@writeon.org.uk and we will organise to meet up before the show.
 
When: Thursday, 22 July 2010, 7.30pm.
Tickets: On the door. Audience pays £3 for admission, and then places two votes using  their choice of £1 or £2 coins (or banknotes) so minimum cost is £5. Money collected from voting boxes goes to winning team and runners up.
Where: Upstairs Function Room at The Miller, 96 Snowsfields Road, London Bridge, London SE1 3SS
More info: www.bestofthree.net

Workshops

WRiTEON Discount Offer for Writing Weekend

Scriptwriter Laura Watson (credits include EastEnders, Casualty and Radio 4) and novelist Alison Bruce (published works include Cambridge Blue, Cambridgeshire Murders and Billington: Victorian Executioner) are leading this writing retreat in an inspiring and relaxing rural setting near Ely.

The sessions will take place on Saturday 18th September and Sunday 19th September, beginning with whole group discussions and creative exercises on Story, Structure and Character. Course members will then have the opportunity for a session with Laura specifically geared to Scriptwriting (dialogue, editing, pitching). Participants are encouraged to submit scripts to Laura at least 2 weeks prior to the Writing Weekend in order to receive a script report and individual tutorial on the Sunday. To finish off the weekend there will be a final creative exercise and a group discussion on writing opportunities.

Laura is offering a 1/3 off discount to the first two WRiTEON newsletter subscribers to email her at the address below, quoting "WRiTEON Newsletter discount" in the subject line. That's the whole weekend workshop for just £80 (includes lunch on both days - does not include accommodation). Be quick!

Where: The Old Vicarage, 7 Church Street, Isleham, Cambs CB7 5RX
www.old-vicarage-isleham.com
When: 18th (2-6pm) and 19th (10am-4pm) September 2010
Cost: £120 including all workshops, lunch on both days (writers are invited to a welcome lunch at 1pm on the Saturday), Coffee/tea and biscuits both days.
Special WRiTEON discount of £80 for the whole weekend, available to first TWO subscribers who contact Laura at:  Laura1978watson@mac.com

Writing Opportunities

Newsjack Seeks Submissions

Series three of topical comedy sketch show Newsjack begins on Thursday 17th June for six weeks (until 22nd July) and they're once again holding an open call for new material.

Newsjack seeks to comically scrutinise the news, views, and issues of the day. It aims to be irreverent and satirical, a kind of younger brother to the more "grown up" Radio 4 topical shows like The Now Show and The News Quiz.

Newsjack is a showcase for new comedy writing, so anyone can submit material.

The production team read and select material on Monday and Tuesdays. The show is then rehearsed and recorded on Wednesday, edited on Thursday, and will be broadcast on Thursday nights.

Deadline for sketches: Mondays, 12:00noon
Deadline for one-liners: Tuesdays, 5:00pm
To find out more and send them your work, visit the Newsjack website.

Coming Up Applications Open

Now in its tenth year, Coming Up is a UK talent scheme which offers emerging film-makers the opportunity to make an authored drama with a guaranteed network broadcast. Sponsored by Channel 4 and Touchpaper TV, part of the RDF Media Group, who are committed to innovation, experimentation, and new voices, they will make up to seven eye-catching, innovative, challenging films from the best fresh talent in the UK.  Each film will be for a half-hour slot on Channel 4, and they are looking for:
 
 * Bold, original and surprising ideas with strong voices - unafraid of ambition, wit, urgency and fearless entertainment.
* Films that can be shot in 4 days on a limited budget

This scheme is open to all writers who have NOT had an ORIGINAL single, series or serial broadcast on UK television; writers who have contributed episodes to series or serials (e.g. a long-running soap) are eligible.

Deadline: 18 June 2010
To find out more and apply, visit the Channel 4 website.

Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation organizes and administers the worldwide exchange and educational programs of The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It has its own Constitution, Officers, and independent Board of Trustees.

Each year, the Foundation awards the Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award. The competition is designed to motivate non-American novice writers under the age of 30, and to offer them the recognition and encouragement that might lead to a successful career in television scriptwriting.

The winner will be flown to New York City to be presented with an award and a US$2,500 prize at the International Emmy World Television Festival on November 20, 2010. The winning script will be read by actors in front of an audience at the Festival, and the winner will be invited to take part in the red carpet festivities at the 38th International Emmy Awards on November 22, 2010.

To enter, you will need to create a completed half-hour to one-hour English-language television drama script suitable for a family audience.

Deadline: 1 July 2010
To find out more and apply, visit the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences website.  

Red Planet Prize

The Red Planet Prize initially launched in 2007 in order to nurture aspiring writers and find a new writing talent. This year's competition is now open for entries.

As before, the winner will receive £5,000, a script commission, and the option of representation if required.

This year's competition is for an original 60 minute television script, either a single play or a pilot for a new series. You are initially required to submit the first ten pages along with a short synopsis.  The full script should be available on request, and you may be required to submit this within a month of the final closing date.

Red Planet and Kudos will also mentor finalists for the Prize.

If successful you will be contacted and will proceed through to the second phase, at which point you will be asked to submit the full script.

Deadline: 31st July 2010
To find out more and apply, visit the Red Planet website.

International Playwriting Festival

Warehouse Theatre Company are looking for new plays for their International Playwriting Festival in March 2011.

The International Playwriting Festival has been discovering and promoting the work of new playwrights since 1986.  Over the years it has consolidated the Warehouse Theatre Company's role as a powerhouse of new writing.

The IPF is held in two parts: The first is a competition with entries accepted from all over the world, which are judged by a panel of distinguished theatre practitioners. The second is a showcase of the selected plays held the following year.

Deadline: 31 July 2010
To find out more and apply, visit the Warehouse Theatre Company website.

Scratch Night: Love Stories Wanted by Made From Scratch Theatre Company

Made From Scratch are back with a whole new scratch night! The theme this time is Love Stories. We want short, brand new plays, from comedies, to tragedies and everything in between, both naturalistic and experimental. They should be primarily for actors in their twenties but of course your story is most important. The selected plays will be performed at an exciting London venue this summer. The deadline for submissions is July 1st so get writing.

Deadline: Thursday, 1 July 2010
London, Unpaid
Submissions or enquires to Euan Borland: mfsneedsyou@gmail.com with the heading Scratch Night: Love Stories.

Acting Opportunities

Actors Wanted for Camden Fringe Festival

An exciting new one-act play, The Million Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by WRiTEON member Peter Daldorph, is to be performed at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe Festival 21st-23rd August, with further performances in Cambridge. A cast of four Cambridge-based actors is sought for this production. Rehearsals to commence mid July, in Cambridge.

Synopsis: Ellie, the "funny" girl and, Chris, the strange boy, meet under the pier when she tries to get out of the rain. The story that follows is the coming together of her intensely imagined world and his recklessness, binding them together against the pressures that surround them. The story gathers as the fragments of the puzzle fall into place; even as a storm rages.

Ellie: Female 17-early 20s. Lead role.
Chris: Male 17-early 20s. Lead role.
Billy:  Ellie’s father. English working class accent. Interferes and thinks he knows best despite being largely absent.
Nancy: Ellie’s caring but weak mother.

Please contact Peter Daldorph at peterdaldorph@yahoo.co.uk to arrange an audition slot (week commencing 28th June).
Unpaid - Profit Share

Audition Notice - Cambridge Production of Murder Me Gently

In the classic tradition of Film Noir, Crossroads Theatre Company presents Murder Me Gently, a romantic thriller/comedy, debuting in Cambridge at the Mumford Theatre, September 23-25th before transferring to London. Audition applications are now being accepted for the following parts:

Harry Lime - Male, mid twenties, English, ethnic background not important. Con-man. Charm and presence more important than looks. Physically demanding role.

Victor Lazlo - Male, 30's-50's. Russian Mob Boss. Role demands someone who has both concrete comic timing and real menace. Physicality unimportant.

Eddie Mars - Male, 20's-50's. American, CIA agent. Any ethnic background. Strong. Assertive. A dangerous pawn.

Mr Hand - Male, 20's-30's. Russian Mobster/Lawyer. Physically imposing. Small but pivotal role with a series of stage fights.

Auditions will be held in Cambridge at the end of June.

Inquiries and Applications, with CV and Headshot, to Alec Harris: crossroads.alec@gmail.com
Unpaid - Profit Share

Community Events

3rd Ring Out: Rehearsing the Future
Part of The Environment Festival

Set inside 'mobile command centres' on Parker’s Piece, this is a very different sort of theatre. It's 2033 and the world has changed. 'Team leaders' (actors) guide the audience through a simulation that combines drama, video and an interactive computer system. As the story develops you can choose which direction it goes in. 3rd Ring Out asks us to imagine what might happen if we don’t take care of our world now. It’s up to you. Can you save Cambridge?

"Powerful and imaginative stuff"
"...more disaster movie than Brecht, great fun, free biscuits"
"Incredibly hard to describe properly, but brilliant experience."
"3rdRingOut was excellent last night, really immersive ... Eye opening for sure."

When: 17th-20th June: 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7pm (each day)
Where: Shipping containers on Parker's Piece
Tickets: (£8/£5 concessions) available from The Junction Box Office on 01223 511511 or book online at www.junction.co.uk
Info: www.3rdRingOut.com