Rupert Creed's new play, “Every Time it Rains”, premiered at Hull Truck's new theatre on June 18th and is on till July 4th. The play is based on local people's stories about the floods of 2007 and its aftermath. You can find out more and book tickets at http://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/drama?action=view&id=10. Read the original stories behind the play at http://www.deepwaterhull.co.uk/
Eddie Lawler’s 45-minute radio play, “Makin’ Light”, has been recorded by the “Encore” drama group and will be broadcast by Bradford Community Broadcasting at 3pm on Monday, July 13, and repeated on 3pm, Saturday on July 18. The wavelength for those in reach is 106.6 FM, but is also available anywhere via internet on http://www.bcbradio.co.uk.
Eddie adds, “Whether or not you listen, I can supply a CD copy free of charge on request, and it will also be available at www.audiobookradio.net. It is, in fact, a non-musical version of the story of ‘Blind Jack Metcalf’. I still hope to find someone to produce the musical which preceded it, and this might just encourage someone to have a go.”
SY Chair Daniel Bye writes: “In the spirit of publicising work, here are two more you might be interested in. I'm directing both and I'd love to see as many of you there as possible.
“Play Up, Play Up!” is a brilliant slapstick satire by Dom Grace and Boff Whalley (Chumbawumba). Using physical comedy and live music, it tells the story of a group of Leeds prisoners in 1961, putting on a version of Wuthering Heights under the direction of their Governor. It’s on at the Comenius Arts Centre in West Leeds, as part of the West Leeds Festival: 7.30pm 17-18 July. The script is hilarious and I can’t wait to get started on it next week.
“Monday” is a new show by Paula B. Stanic for Red Ladder Theatre Company and almost the opposite show to “Play Up, Play Up!” A kind of anti-Sex and the City, it’s about three young women on a self-destructive weekend of shopping, booze and sex – knowing they’re losing their jobs on Monday. It’s an electric study of contemporary women shot through with stabs of black humour. Also, explosive movement sequences and some of the best young actors in the region. What more could you ask for? That’s on at the Carriageworks, Leeds, for two performances only: 2pm + 7.45pm on Saturday 25 July. I’d love you all to come.”
Graham Sanderson recently had a rehearsed reading of his play, “A Darkling Plain” at Friargate Theatre, York. The play lasted an hour, followed by an open-house question-answer session with the writer and the actors. The reading was performed by Jess Fisher, Sue Skirrow and Paul Stonehouse. A Darkling Plain is set in “New York, 1946, and the life of Hermann Haber, son of the controversial Nobel prize-winning chemist, Fritz Haber, is in turmoil. Beset by deeply troubling memories of his childhood, Hermann is confronted by a chance, unexpected guest, a young woman whose passion for life and new experiences challenges his own increasingly bleak vision of the world”.
Following her performance as part of “Subterranean Homesick Yorkshire Blues – Celebrating Bob Dylan in Yorkshire” last month, Helen Burke performed at the Beverly Folk Festival on June 20th as well, prior to John Hegley and Rory Motion in the Concert marquee. This event was also Bob Dylan geared, tying in with their American theme this year. Helen was also one of the poet’s in residence at the Suffolk (Sutton Hoo) Poetry Festival on June 28th, that included poetry trails, readings, music and other events over the weekend. For those interested, catch Helen’s reading on July 14th at the Manchester Library as part of the "Not Part Of Festival" from 1pm to 2-m.
Michael Stewart writes: “On Sunday, June 14, I was in conversation with the living legend, Mark E Smith, at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield. The event was attended by 300 people and was a huge success. A film of the event will be available soon. All this month I have been exhibiting some pen and ink drawings I’ve developed from my writing and development of narrative and character at South Square Gallery in Bradford. A documentary was made of the exhibition which can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDsg-3__ic4.”
Caroline Small’s full-length play, “The Unknown Land”, produced by Cotton Grass Theatre (www.cottongrass.mirai.co.uk), premiered on June 29th at the Ashbourne Arts Festival, and continues to run till November 29th. Caroline writes: “Cotton Grass Theatre is a Derbyshire-based company which tours to rural venues and small theatres around the country. They are doing some local 'try-outs' in June and July before touring the play in the autumn. The director is Alan Meadows who some SY members will know from his work with Yellow Leaf Theatre Company. ‘The Unknown Land’ is a full-length play for one actor and one musician. It's had the longest gestation period of any of my plays! I first started work on it in 2001 and it's been nagging away at me ever since. It feels very good to have got it out of my head and onto the page at last.”
For full details of the play and tour dates, contact Caroline at mailto:caroline@stagewrite.f9.co.uk.
