The preparation for next week’s Development Week is coming together, thanks to the generosity of people offering their time to help out. Thanks so much to the Manchester ADP gang for the plethora of volunteers who have put themselves forward to be involved. I’ll be in touch today.
Development Week really is shaping up into a focal point for new writing in the region, and our twice-yearly celebration of all things new in the world of playwriting and theatre-making is becoming the go-to event for writers and audience wanting to get involved in the creative process.
We set up a new course in the WriteForTheStage offering last year - WFTS Progressing. We started the course as a new progression pathway for the writers who had completed the Advanced course and wanted to continue to develop their work in a supportive environment. Half WritersLab, half workshop, we’ve been reading, discussing, and supporting daring new moves in the writing, and Development Week 12 is the springboard to get those freshly developed works to the public.
We have six new pieces of writing to share with you next week from the WFTS Progressing gang.
Len Evans - Monday
Starting on Mon (4th March), we have Len Evans with his dark comedy, Fun & Fucking; a tragicomic tale of drugs and excess when they've gone a bit too far. Len’s a particularly adventurous writer, and he’s tried out lots of new ideas for this version of the script.
Anne Wynne - Monday
Immediately after that, we have Anne Wynne’s brand new piece - A Touch of Magic; a hugely funny piece about leaving the past behind and letting the kids flee the nest. Anne wrote A Fine Life, which was performed at last year’s GMFringe and got nominated for Best New Writing at the Northern Soul Awards.
Andrew Seedall - Tuesday
On Tuesday, we have Andrew Seedall’s piece, Window Open. It’s a fascinating exploration of a gay relationship back when being openly gay would get you in prison. He’s crafted the world beautifully and worked through a scenario that’s completely engaging.
John Klark - Wednesday
On Wednesday, we have John Klark’s Big Box Alien. John has completed the Advanced course during which he has written this brilliant and hilarious one-man show. Part autobiography, part surrealist mystery, we discover - through the words of his ghostly grandma - whether the aliens ever did visit the earth. John has been creating theatre for many years, including work performed at 24:7 Theatre Festival and Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.
Maureen O'Neill - Thursday
Thursday sees the debut of Maureen O’Neill’s brand new piece, Behaviour Management. Maureen has been bringing brand new theatre to Stockport for the last year with her company, Viaduct Theatre, having produced two new pieces of work in their inaugural year. Viaduct won Best Drama at last year's GMFringe with their production of China Plates and Pearl Earrings.
Behaviour Management is set in a private school where some troubled teenagers are causing some big trouble for each other and for the staff.
David Chriscole - Friday
On Friday, we have David Chriscole's brand new one-woman piece, No Hiding Place. David wrote and produced his debut piece of theatre last year, Citadel; developed through WFTS Intro, Advanced, and Producing. It went down a real storm when his production company, Devilish Accord Productions, brought it to sell-out crowds at The Kings Arms Theatre in September 2018. Buoyed by the experience, David has jumped form from 3-hander to one-woman show.
No Hiding Place is an unflinching account of a young woman trafficked and forced into prostitution. A glimmer of hope emerges when she discovers a chance of escape.
David Holmes - Friday
David wrote Behind The Night which was read as part of Development Week 11. He's hoping to bring this atmospheric vignette to production this year - watch this space.
This time we're being treated to his very funny comedy, Bear Town. Set in historic Stoke, Bear Town is a treat for fans of Blackadder and Upstart Crow, following the story of Dye and his merry group of incompetent fools as they try to stage a show for the town's VIP funders. The only problem is that the professional troupe of performers due to turn up have cancelled and this is one disaster too far.
Other works
In addition to work from the WriteForTheStage courses, we've got other work from local artists who are trying their work out in front of audiences.
We have Talk To Yourself, by Lea Fante - a fantastical exploration of futuristic abortion; Falling, by Mike Heath - a 3-hander bursting with secrets; Blue Lines, by Stefanie Moore - the winner of GMFringe's The Hive (mentored by Tim Firth); and a showcase of work from 3rd BA students from Salford University.
WriteForTheStage courses
WriteForTheStage has been running since 2012 and has helped countless writers bring their ideas out of their heads, onto the page, and brought to life on the stage. Past participants have had their work produced in Manchester, Liverpool, London, and Edinburgh, at venues such as Royal Exchange, Contact, Oldham Coliseum, Kings Arms Theatre, Bury Met, at Greater Manchester Fringe, 24:7 Theatre Festival, and Edinburgh Fringe. They've won prizes and mentorships, and have become producers, directors, and performers.
We're offering a free taster session so that you can try out the WriteForTheStage process for yourself. It's running on Thursday 7th March, 7pm as part of Dev Wk. Booking essential.
The new term for the WriteForTheStage courses starts in March. Get in touch - no prior experience is necessary.
The WFTS Podcast gives a little flavour of what we cover during the courses, so subscribe and receive each episode as it gets released. Series 2 starting soon.
The Development Week timetable
Scroll through, choose what you'd like to attend, then hit Register at the bottom of the list.
