Introducing the January meeting and reporting on the December meeting and Christmas party
Sussex Playwrights January meeting and December Christmas report
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2017
January meeting preview
Sunday January 8th 7- 9pm at the New Venture Theatre bar Brighton
Featuring a rehearsed reading of: ‘Anaphylactic Shock’ a short play by Tony Briginshaw with Cherie, Anita, Thomas, Philippa and guest actors Lucy Mepsted and John Dutton
Post reading discussion with audience, actors and playwright
Wine or juice
News, networking for writers, producers, actors and those who love new drama – and good conversation
Free to members, guests £2 per person.
Please could you let us know if you’ll be coming along, and if you’ll be bringing a guest? chair@sussexplaywrights.co.uk
Constance Cox playwriting competition news
The competition is now closed [deadline New Year’s Eve 2016].
We’re delighted to tell you that we’ve had over thirty entries so far, including scripts from Japan, Malta, Canada, Russia and the USA.
Competition reading committee: We’ll be needing a play reading committee from January to decide the winners. If you would like to be a reader, please let us know. chair@sussexplaywrights.co.uk
Note – if you’ve submitted a script, you won’t be eligible to join the committee!
Rules: We invited you to submit a half hour radio play in the thriller / mystery genre for 2-6 actors. The writers of the top three plays will receive rehearsed readings and recordings of their plays as well as cash prizes.
All entries will be read by a professional producer.
Full details, advice and prizes: www.sussexplaywrights.com/competitions/constance-cox-competition-2016-closes-31-december-2016
Members’ and Friends’ news
Christine Foster Cliffhanger’s highly successful Mixed Doubles, an evening of five ten minute plays produced by Christine, featuring our friends Paul Moriarty and Margot Jobbins in Autumn 2016, is back again by popular demand on 19/20/21 January at the Coach House, Rottingdean. Details at https://en-gb.facebook.com/thecliffhangercompany/
Philippa Hammond appeared in a series of podcast audio dramas by Peter Gardiner of Two Bit Productions. You can hear one of the new dramas Swim Through the Dark here: http://www.twobitproductions.com/podcast/
Rose Collis’ latest work, her Arts Council-supported adaptation of her own book ‘Col Barker’s Monstrous Regiment,’ will receive a rehearsed reading at the Purple Playhouse as part of the Hove Grown festival in March – dates TBA.
Meanwhile she will also be giving a talk on the Colonel and the new play Tuesday 28th February 12.10 – 12.50 at Worthing Library. Free event, just drop in.
Please send us all your latest news either to chair@sussexplaywrights.co.uk or to the Facebook Page.
Follow and share
In addition to the newsletter you can follow us on Social Media for up-to-date information, writing opportunities, news and announcements.
If you can’t come along to the January meeting to talk about your latest news, please email it to us to be included on social media, in meeting announcements and the next newsletter.
Like’ the Sussex Playwrights Facebook Page for the latest news and links www.facebook.com/sussexplaywrights
Follow us on Twitter @PlaywrightsClub
Christmas meeting report
Thomas created, produced and ran a fun competition in two parts – a photo section [spot the celebrity dressed as Santa Claus] followed by a fiendish theatre/film question quiz. The book token prizes were won by Rob Cohen, guest actor/reader John Dutton and Judy Upton.
Readings from Cherie Cherchie [Poem – The Christmas Truce], Rob Cohen [The Secret Life of Walter Mitty] and Anita Gilson [a pair of her own seasonal poems].
Short play reading – The Christmas Goat by Judy Upton, with John Dutton, Philippa Hammond – and Thomas Everchild as Noises Off …
Members’ and friends’ news and announcements, followed by an authoritative discussion led by Rose and Christine on the practicalities for writers applying for Arts Council funding to develop and produce their work.
Rose writes:
‘At the moment, and for the next few years, ACE are going to look kindly on writers/performers who
aren’t based in London (that’s big one right there – up until recently, London groups/venues were receiving about 60% of all ACE funding!) are based in other East Sussex places that aren’t Brighton
meet its priority criteria of being about, or for, women, LGBT people, BAME people, people with disabilities. Also work that encourages people who don’t usually go to theatres to attend.
‘Public engagement’ is also another big thing: be it Q&As after shows, workshops or pre-show talks.
As I said on Sunday, it’s all there in the ACE guidelines, and it’s made very clear.
In my experience, most of the people who complain about not being able to get ACE funding tend to be those who
don’t read the guidelines
read them, but don’t follow them
read them but think they don’t apply to them
think they are entitled to funding.
Deserving we might be, but none of us are entitled to it…’
2017 Preview
February – guest speaker Brighton screenwriter James Payne will talk about his work as a scriptwriter on East Enders, Hooten and The Lady, Mr Selfridge, The Musketeers and many more.
March – beginning the top three competition play readings.
Work in progress or for sharing
We’re looking to members and guests to take an active part in meetings and showcase their work.
If you’d like to read or perform an excerpt from your latest fiction or non fiction at a meeting for discussion [10 minute slots]
If you’d prefer to have us arrange for someone to read it for you, if you’re happier writing than speaking [10 minute slots]
If you’d like to have actors read an excerpt from your latest script in progress for discussion [10 minute slots]
If you’re an actor who’d like to read
If you have a longer script you’d like considered for rehearsed reading / discussion
Please contact us
Regards
Philippa Hammond [Chair], Thomas Everchild [Secretary] and the committee