WATERMILL THEATRE INVITES NEW WRITING

WATERMILL THEATRE INVITES NEW WRITING

The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berks, invites submissions from writers of all cultures and backgrounds in RAISING VOICES, a celebration of new writing for the stage.

The subject is left open to the writers, however they should be aware of the Watermill's main house and touring work, which encompasses contemporary and established classics and challenging new work.

Plays should be for no more than 6 actors and should be submitted by 30th November 2002 with an entry fee of £20. Six new plays will be chosen from those submitted by a team of professional practitioners. The winners will be announced early February 2003. The writers will have the opportunity to work on their play for a day with a dramaturg and then with a professional director and actors for a further day. This will then culminate in a rehearsed reading in front of an invited and paying audience at the Watermill over a week in early April 2003.

There will be a Development Award of up to half the total entry fees for the writer whose work is deemed most promising by a team of professional practitioners.

The Watermill Theatre's production of "GONDOLIERS" adapted and directed by John Doyle transferred to the West End, this year its production of "ROSE RAGE", adapted and directed by Edward Hall transferred to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket and "I DREAMT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS", written and directed by Ade Morris, will be going into the Tricycle Theatre, London in August.

New plays commissioned by the venue include "DEADWOOD" by Alex Jones, "ONLY A MATTER OF TIME" by Alan Plater and "I DREAMT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS" by Ade Morris.

Submissions should be made to Jill Fraser, Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE. A SAE must be provided for the return of scripts.