Different Stages brochure

Friday 5 to Sunday 21 March 2010

Different Stages

Join some of the country’s award-winning writers and directors for a series of exclusive events and workshops as Live Theatre celebrates the best of British new writing.

Tickets: £4 to £6Box office: (0191) 232 1232Book online: www.live.org.uk

“This year’s New Writing Festival Different Stages aims to build on the success of our 2008 Festival which gave audiences the first opportunity to see several shows (Me & Cilla, Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale and Up There In Lights) which went on to have full Live Theatre productions. We hope that some of the scripts in this year’s festival will follow a similar path. “The central idea for this year’s celebration is to showcase a wide range of work at various points in the developmental process from a wide range of playwrights at various points in their writing careers. “The work on offer includes scripts from our writers groups, projects in development that we have under commission and the completed texts of the contenders for our closing event: Your Favourite Live Theatre Short Play.“In addition, we’re delighted to welcome to Live Theatre some of the country’s leading theatre writers and practitioners to provide an insight into their work that we hope will be illuminating to writers and audience members alike.”Gez Casey, Literary Manager

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 0302 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Friday 5 March, 7.30pm

Lee Hall: How to Make a Successful Play

Come and hear Lee Hall (The Pitmen Painters, Billy Elliot) talk about the essential elements of writing a hit show. Drawing on work that has influenced him as a writer and discussing theories of drama, Lee illustrates how to create the well-made play.

Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 March, 7.30pm

Live’s Youth Theatre in association with the National Theatre presentWhose Art is it Anyway?

Join members of Live’s Youth Theatre and five of the region’s finest writing talent as they present a weekend of Pitmen inspired dramas. Talented youngsters from 11 to 25 years of age have created ten exciting short pieces based on the key themes and issues raised in Lee Hall’s award-winning play The Pitmen Painters.Writers involved in the project include Beth Coverdale, Paddy Campbell, Paul Charlton, Lee Mattinson and Ellen Phethean.

DaTeS: Fri 5 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS:£6; £4 concessionLOCaTION:Main HouseDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

events

DaTeS: Sat 6 & Sun 7 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hours including intervalSUITaBILITY: 12+

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Special Ticket Offer: Different Stages PassIf you’re an avid new writing fan and plan on attending lots of events during the festival why not take advantage of our special offer 4 events for the price of 3.

This offer is available when booking via the box office on (0191) 232 1232 and quoting Different Stages Pass.


Tuesday 9 March, 6pm

Simon Stephens Workshop: Redrafting

Olivier award-winning playwright Simon Stephens (On the Shore of the Wide World, Harper Reagan and Pornography) leads a workshop on the importance of redrafting and what to do when a first draft is completed.Simon was resident dramatist at the Royal Court in 2001, a tutor on the Royal Court’s Young Writers Programme between 2001 and 2005 and the first resident dramatist at the National Theatre. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Anyone who attends Simon Stephens’ workshop can join him for his talk at 8pm free of charge.

Tuesday 9 March, 8pm

Talk by Simon Stephens

Join Simon Stephens as he discusses his work and his approach to the playwriting process. Simon will also be answering any questions. This event is free to people who attend Simon Stephens’ workshop at 6pm.

Wednesday 10 March, 7.30pm

New Plays from the 2010 Writers’ Group

Live Theatre is delighted to present a series of new 20 minute plays specially written for the festival. The plays, which will be performed as rehearsed readings, have been created by some of the region’s most exciting emerging playwrights.

Sunday 7 March, 2pm

David Edgar Workshop: Making a Scene

Drawing on his vast experience teaching the MA in Playwriting Studies at Birmingham University, David Edgar (Destiny, Maydays, the RSC adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby) leads an illustrated workshop on structuring a scene. This is a must for all aspiring playwrights.David has recently published How Plays Work, a guide to the anatomy of drama, which is available to purchase from Live Theatre as part of this event.Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

DaTeS: Tues 9 March, 6pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 mins including intervalSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Tues 9 March, 8pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 16+

DaTeS: Wed 10 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Sun 7 March, 2pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: The GalleryDURaTION: Approx 2 hoursSUITaBILITY: 16+

Image: David Edgar

Image: Simon Stephens


Thursday 11 March, 7.30pm

Q&A with Shelagh Stephenson

A unique chance to hear Tynemouth-born Shelagh talk about her plays (including The Memory of Water, An Experiment With An Air Pump and Five Kinds of Silence) and discuss A Northern Odyssey, a new commission for Live Theatre about the American painter Winslow Homer’s time in 1880’s Cullercoats. Shelagh will also be answering questions from the audience.

Friday 12 March, 7.30pm

The Chalet Lines by Lee Mattinson

Be one of the first to hear a rehearsed reading of The Chalet Lines, a new play by the writer of Me & Cilla which enjoyed a sell out run at Live Theatre in 2008. Join the White family, who have been going to Butlins since 1936 as they celebrate Nana Barbara’s seventieth on a nostalgic trip through the talent shows and ballrooms of the North. But will the family survive the most electrifying birthday party that Butlins has ever seen? And will they even make it home?

Saturday 13 March, 2pm

Fiona Evans Workshop: Young Playwrights

Aspiring playwrights between the ages of 12 and 25 years of age are invited to take part in a special workshop lead by local playwright Fiona Evans (We Love You Arthur, Scarborough and Geoff Dead: Disco for Sale).This event is free for members of Live’s Youth Theatre and Young Writer’s Group.

DaTeS: Thurs 11 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hours including intervalSUITaBILITY: 12+

DaTeS: Fri 12 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 45 minsSUITaBILITY: 16+

DaTeS: Sat 13 March, 2pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concession LOCaTION: Rehearsal RoomDURaTION: Approx 2 hoursSUITaBILITY: 12 to 25 years old

Image: Shelagh Stephenson

Image: The Chalet Lines



Jeremy Herrin Workshop: What Happens to New Plays?

Join Jeremy Herrin, Deputy Artistic Director at The Royal Court and Gez Casey, Literary Manager at Live Theatre, as they discuss how new plays make it from first draft to a final production. This discussion will be illustrated by extracts from some of the best plays written in recent years.


Online Playwriting Course Preview

Be one of the first to see a preview of Live’s new online Introduction to Playwriting course. Including video interviews with Lee Hall, Shelagh Stephenson and Alan Plater as well as discussion forums and interactive exercises, the online course will allow budding playwrights from across the world the chance to gain a practical insight into all aspects of playwriting with top tips from some of the UK’s leading writers. Join course creators Gez Casey and Jeremy Herrin as they provide a tour of the new website and demonstrate how the course will work.Although this event is free tickets still need to be booked via the box office.

Saturday 13 March, 6pm & 8pm

Sawdust and Stardust By Laura Lindow & Beccy Owen

Sawdust and Stardust is a unique collaborative work between songwriter Beccy Owen and writer/theatre director Laura Lindow. This fantastical one-woman show, incorporating live music, explores the relationship between character and voice and its potential for both power and fragility.

This work in progress event was specially commissioned as one of two emerging artist bursaries awarded by Live Theatre and The Empty Space. Each bursary holder has had just two weeks to experiment with new approaches to new writing and to explore ideas for a performance as part of the developmental process.

The other bursary winner’s event Office925 takes place on Saturday 20 March.

DaTeS: Sat 13 March, 3pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hours including intervalSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Sat 13 March, 6pmTICKeTS: FreeLOCaTION:Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hourSUITaBILITY: 12+

DaTeS: Sat 13 March, 6pm & 8pmTICKeTS:£6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION:Approx 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 10+

Image: Beccy Owen

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Sunday 14 March, 8pm

Talk by Tim Crouch

This is a unique chance to hear one of the nation’s most interesting and exciting theatre-makers talk about his work (An Oak Tree, which opened at The Royal Court and is now enjoying a run in LA, and The Author) which questions the traditional division between performers and spectators. There will also be the chance to ask Tim questions about his creative process.

Tuesday 16 March, 7.30pm

New Plays by Live Writers’ Group

Enjoy an eclectic evening of rehearsed readings of one act plays written by members of the Live Writers’ Group. This is a great opportunity to catch new work by writers who have recently completed Live’s Introduction to Playwriting course.

DaTeS: Tues 16 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hours including intervalSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Sat 17 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION:Approx 1 hourSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Sun 14 March, 8pm TICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

Wednesday 17 March, 7.30pm

Facts On The Ground By Steve Gilroy

The repercussions of the construction of a ‘security fence’ by Israel, a wall separating the ‘State of Israel’ from the Palestinian Territories, have been catastrophic for the many Olive farmers in the West Bank.Facts on the Ground, a new play based on interviews with those who live with the wall on their doorstep, is presented as a work in progress. The event includes a discussion on the limits and possibilities of documentary theatre with writer and director Steve Gilroy (author of the award-winning Motherland).

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Image: Facts On The Ground


Thursday 18 March, 7.30pm

Richard Bean’s Desert Island Plays

Ever wondered where writers get their ideas and inspiration from? Come and hear extracts from Richard Bean’s favourite plays which have informed his unique style as a playwright. Richard’s plays for Live Theatre include Smack Family Robinson and Toast and he recently enjoyed success with England People Very Nice at the National Theatre. Richard will also be answering any questions from the audience.

Friday 19 March, 8pm

The Girl in the Yellow Dress By Craig Higginson

A unique opportunity to hear a rehearsed reading of this new play by South African playwright Craig Higginson (Fringe First winner and author of The Dream of the Dog) which will be presented as a co-production later in the year between Live Theatre, The Market Theatre, South Africa and the Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow.

DaTeS: Sat 20 March, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: The GalleryDURaTION: Approx 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Thurs 18 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hoursSUITaBILITY: 14+

DaTeS: Fri 19 March, 8pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

Saturday 20 March, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm

Office925 Created by The Match Theatre Company Written by Zoe Cooper Directed by Jay Miller

You arrive at 8.55. She chats with Clive from security. (He knocks off, she clocks on.) You sit at your desk, headset on. She loves lunchbreaks and tea breaks and fag breaks. She loves switchboards and stationery and customers. Today you will make Lisa redundant. And she will start to feel something inside. Kicking.

Experience this unique work-in-progress in which the audience interact and develop the story that unfolds around them. No one performance will be the same. This work in progress was specially commissioned as one of two emerging artist bursaries awarded by Live Theatre and The Empty Space. Each bursary holder has had just two weeks to experiment with new approaches to new writing and to explore ideas for a performance as part of the developmental process.Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

The other bursary winner’s event Sawdust and Stardust takes place on Saturday 13 March.

Image: Richard Bean



The Journey By Simphiwe Vikilahle Directed by Mark Lloyd

Interested in finding out about the rehearsal and development process of a play? Then come along for a sneak preview of The Journey, which is the culmination of two years development work in the Eastern Cape, and learn about how this play was created in association with TapRoot Theatre Company, The Swallows Partnership and Arts Council England. The play will soon be touring the North East. The writer will also be answering questions from the audience.

Sunday 21 March, 4pm & 8pm

Young Cuts

Enjoy an evening of eclectic new work from the Live’s Young Writers’ Group and vote for your favourite play. This is an opportunity to support a new generation of playwrights and actors.

Sunday 21 March, 7.30pm

Your Favourite Live Theatre Short Play

To mark the end of the festival the final rehearsed reading will be decided by members of the public. With four fantastic plays to choose from visit www.live.org.uk to vote for your favourite. The winning play will be performed by some of Live’s familiar faces. Vote now for:

• Attachments by Julia Darling (2002)Davina, a recently bereaved anaesthetist, gets an unexpected and unasked phone call from Bobby, a pushy but not entirely successful door-to-door Hoover salesman.

• Wittgenstein on Tyne by Lee Hall (1997)A hilarious farce, Lee’s first commission for Live Theatre, with the famous philosopher caught in a compromising position in a Tyneside Air Raid shelter during WW2.

• The Man From Shields by Tom Hadaway (1985)A young South Shields socialist (based on future National Union of Seamen leader Jim Slater) encounters the politics of McCarthyism in 1950s USA.

• He Stoops To Bonk Her by Shaun Prendergast (1997)A raucous Restoration style comedy in rhyming couplets reliving the elopement of Bessie Surtees with John Scott, the future Lord Chancellor.

The closing date for voting is Monday 1 March. Visit Live Theatre’s website now to help decide which play will close the festival.

DaTeS: Sun 21 March, 4pm & 8pmTICKeTS:£6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio Theatre DURaTION: Approx 1 hour 30mins SUITaBILITY: 12+

DaTeS: Sat 20 March, 8pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Studio TheatreDURaTION: Approx 2 hoursSUITaBILITY: 10+

DaTeS: Sun 21 March, 7.30pmTICKeTS: £6; £4 concessionLOCaTION: Main TheatreDURaTION: Approx 1 hour 15 minsSUITaBILITY: 14+

Book tickets online at www.live.org.ukVisit Live Theatre’s secure website where it is easy to book tickets online. An average booking will take 5 minutes, tickets can be booked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets can be mailed out, at an extra charge of £1, or can be collected from the box office free of charge, just visit www.live.org.uk

Book by phone or in personCall Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or to book in person visit the theatre just off Newcastle’s quayside next to the law courts.

Box office opening timesMonday to Friday 11.30am to 5.30pm (11.30am to 8pm when there is an evening show). Weekend evening show only 5.30 to 8pm. Weekend matinee days 12 to 8pm.

Group discountInterested in bringing a group along to see an event? Then take advantage of Live Theatre’s great group discount – buy 10 tickets and get one additional ticket free.

accessLive Theatre is fully accessible. If you have any special access requirements please inform the box office team when booking so that we can meet your needs. We welcome Text Relay calls.

This brochure can be made available in a range of formats. Call (0191) 229 2373 with your request. Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ Admin (0191) 261 2694 Box office (0191) 232 1232 Text Relay 18001 232 1232 Fax (0191) 232 2224 [email protected] [email protected] www.live.org.uk

Tickets & Booking Information

Interested in reading plays or books by the writers and directors taking part in Different Stages? Then

visit the Blackwells stand at Live Theatre where a selection of work by the festival participants will be available for sale. To purchase copies of Live Theatre plays and books please visit the box office.

Documents

Different Stages brochure