I‘ve always loved Development Week.
It’s one of those events that just delivers something really unique every time. Without fail.
We’ve had Development Week Challenges, where established local writers have given themselves the task of writing something to specifically read on a specific date during DevWk, and those pieces have leapt off the page, onto the stage and off on tour.
Laura Lindsay, for example, wrote the very first version of her play, Parallel, as a Development Week Challenge.
It was literally hot-off-the-press - I think Laura had only written the words “The End” about an hour before they read it in front of the audience. And I’ve got to say that it was one of the best first drafts I’ve ever seen. The packed audience loved it and dutifully wrote out feedback which Laura took away with her to help develop the play to its next stage.
Parallel went on to a residency in Harrogate Theatre, with support from Arts Council England, and then toured the UK.
So, you never know what you might see at Development Week.
And that’s why it’s exciting.
People come along from all over the country just to try out their ideas in front of an audience. Some are fully formed and feel like they’re ready to take the plunge, and others are...let’s call them interesting first drafts. One of my favourite Development Week moments was where a comedian from London came up to try out her new work. I’m not sure if anyone knew what was going on when she blew an industrial leaf blower into the audience to replicate a gentle breeze, but that was just the start of one of the most bizarre, hilarious sets at Development Week. Half of the audience found themselves dressed as biblical characters, and the other half had to sing along to The Final Countdown.
You’ll be glad to discover that there’s not a lot of audience participation.
Most of the work that comes to Development Week as script-in-hand readings, sometimes it’s work that’s up on its feet, occasionally it’s work that‘s off-script and late into the rehearsal process: trying it out before they open their doors to a paying audience.
It’s all very organic, creative, and - actually - quite an honour to be invited into other people‘s creative process.
As an audience you get to see work in its early form. You give feedback and tell them what you understood, what you liked, and what you didn’t like. It’s anonymous (unless you don’t want it to be) and given all in the spirit of development.
And, of course, it’s all held at the brilliant Kings Arms pub which has a plethora of funky beers, IPAs, bitters, and the finest wines known to humanity.
So, come along. Every night is different.
Scroll through the timetable below and take your pick. Book in advance because audience capacity is small. We’ll always try and squeeze you in, if possible, but we can only guarantee entry if you book in advance. It’s all free.
I’m also running a free taster session of the WriteForTheStage courses on Thursday night. So if you feel inspired to write for yourself, come along and give it a go.
So, have a scroll through, use the individual drop-down menus to select your tickets, then scroll to the bottom and click “Register”.
Simple.
And perhaps, use the comments board below to share your favourite moment at Development Week.
