The Big Things has been on a big journey already. Originally developed as part of my MA at Salford university, it's been shortlisted for three separate competitions - 24:7 Theatre Festival Big Weekend, where I got some great, helpful feedback from Martin Thomason and was performed as a rehearsed reading at the festival last year; BushGreen script call-out and the BBC Alfred Bradley Bursary Award, where I was really lucky to get some great mentoring by producer director, Pauline Harris.
So, the work has had a lot of rewrites and support and I think that there's something really special about it. I hope you agree when you see it!
The plan is to take this into the rehearsal room later in the year where we will devise it from the text, film a trailer and get it programmed into regional theatres for a tour in 2017. All very exciting. Touring is one of the things that I am still to do, so am really looking forward to getting out and about with this piece.
So, the rehearsed reading at The Kings Arms on Sat 23rd & Sun 24th July is a really essential part of the process for me. It's had another rewrite after a reading with our actors, Laura Lindsay and Pete Carruthers, and I think I'm really getting somewhere with it.
For me, it's a passion piece - I really want to get it right. I love the characters - they go on quite a journey and I was really wanted to explore the world through their eyes.
The rehearsed reading at the weekend is free and no advanced tickets are required, although you can book at greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk. It would be great to get your feedback, so please come along if you can make it.
It starts at 6pm and should last about 70mins.
Thanks,
Mike x
