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Post by scriptstuff on Jun 28, 2017 15:15:13 GMT
Hi there one and all, I am new to this forum, forgive me if this is oft-asked, perhaps a patient somebody could direct me to a suitable thread, but here goes:
I am a multi-optioned screenplay writer and have just completed my first full-length theatrical stageplay. It is a bawdy and bittersweet Elizabethan comedy written entirely in rhyming couplets and features, among others, Queen Elizabeth, King James I, William Shakespeare and his younger brother Edmund. Do you know of a theatre near you, either amateur or professional, that might be interested in considering this for production?
I have found all my contacts in the film-writing world to be largely irrelevant in theatreland so this is an entirely new realm for me to explore and I just need to get my work under people's noses!
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Post by lynette on Jun 28, 2017 16:30:35 GMT
Sounds wonderful. Try Nick Hytner at his new Bridge theatre. Chutzpah pays off occasionally. Or try getting it together yourself, rooms above pubs ( believe that is how The Play that goes wrong started and where it was taken up) Edinburgh fringe ( Next year, prob too late this year) youtube extracts, doorstep actors or any theatrical Angels you might know. Best of luck. I claim a freebie if you get it on.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 28, 2017 21:50:00 GMT
I am involved in new writing and have brought several new plays to production. The new writing industry is pretty buoyant and there are lots of opportunities for new playwrights. However it is also very competitive and it's extremely rare for a playwright to get their first play produced, first plays generally act as calling cards and lead to future opportunities down the road. Historical plays are some of the hardest to sell as most of the new writing theatres are only looking for contemporary or very recent history, and the kinds of theatres that accept or commission historical plays only work with established playwrights. That doesn't mean it's not worth sending your script out!
Do you have an agent? They will be able to get your script read by literary departments.
Otherwise, enter your script into playwriting competitions (the biggie, Bruntwood, closed earlier this month; the Verity Bargate Award is also pretty major and closes on 5th July). Lots of theatres in London and the UK accept unsolicited submissions, so there are plenty of places you can submit it. You could also try to get a rehearsed reading or try to do a segment of it for a scratch night.
Sending it to amateur companies is a good idea but something I have no experience with.
Putting it on yourself at the fringe is always an option, albeit can be expensive. There are a number of theatres that accept show proposals, either as a straight hire or a box office split. In terms of festivals Edinburgh is the big one, and Camden and VAULT are two of the best in London. You would need to self-produce or find a producer willing to do it (plus director and cast). Facebook, Shooting People, and Genesis are all good places to find early career theatre producers and directors.
I have a pretty comprehensive list of places to send plays in a word document. If you want to pm me a contact address I can email it to you?
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 29, 2017 1:40:45 GMT
Whilst there are amateur companies who thrive on new writing, the majority are looking for known quantities that they feel will guarantee bums on seats. Of course there are no guarantees in this business - whether professional or amateur - but new writing has the reputation for being hard to sell to audiences of amateur theatre.
That said, Oxford students are very keen on new writing - and so there is a lot of it being done round here. Mainly because they have written it themselves and thus don't have to pay any rights. When you are on a student budget, that is understandable.
What is the cast size/breakdown for your new piece? That is often a consideration - a period piece will almost inevitably cost more to costume!
Having said all that, Oxford has a pretty vibrant scene on all levels and I would be happy to put you in contact with various people if you would like to put it in front of new eyes.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2017 8:01:15 GMT
Fresh from a workshop of my own newest work, my advice also is to get on mailing lists/facebook groups for new writing, they often share lists of submission opportunities and those theatres that take submissions all year.
Best advice as well would be know your audience- no point in submitting for example a 10 hour Viking odyssey to say, The Bush, as it's not their style. So spend some time scoping out theatres that suit your work.
Also I don't know where you're based but think beyond London as well- local theatres will have sometimes less competition and will also have a remit to help and support new writers so you may not get it commissioned/performed but you may find yourself on a list that gets access to workshops, support etc.
Try London Playwrights Blog and BBC Writers Room for lists of opportunities and as I say have a search on Facebook for relevant groups as well.
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Post by scriptstuff on Jun 29, 2017 8:47:11 GMT
Thank you everyone for your replies so far. All good advice and some offers of specific contacts which is terrific!
The play is 2 x 55 minute Acts, is 5M 2F + ensemble cast. Small and simple sets, but yes, I imagine costuming could be the significant expense. This would be available to an amateur group for negligible performance fees by negotiation. I have also self-published the script on amazon so it is easy to get hold of.
Anyone else know of any theatres this might suit?
Thanks again everyone!
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