London’s best off-West end theatres – PART II
Jack Studio Theatre
This respected South-East London venue provides a diverse selection of theatre ranging from the classics to interesting new writing. Before Christmas their three-hander adaptation of the Hugh Janes’s The Haunting, adapted from the ghost stories of Charles Dickens, was a sell-out hit with the Christmas audiences.
I interviewed their Literary Manager David Bottomley about their commitment to new writing. He told me that they look for, “Bold new voices and plays that say something vital or new about our times. This gives the writing a sense of importance and urgency.”
Amongst their varied collection of new writing voices are Olga Nikora, who wrote rock, paper, scissors, about two Romanian brothers living in London, giving a unique perspective on the much talked about topic of immigration. Describing this as a ‘rich play’ Bottomley went on to explain the successes that new writers showcased at Jack Studio Theatre have had. “Vinay Patel- has written ‘Bump’ and ‘True Brits’ and is now working in Television. Joe Ward Munroe had his first play here, Carol Vine who wrote ‘Borderland’ went onto secure a place on BBC Writersroom 10.”
Recently on:
This was the World and I was King by Casey Jay Andrews & Nathan Foad
Rediscover the unbridled imagination of childhood in this transporting story of courage, kindness, and bravery, with rousing live folk music and hand carved puppets. With their father in peril on the Western Front, the Connor children turn to their imagination for a comforting distraction from reality. Their spell-binding make believe kingdom comes to life on-stage as they set sail on impossible adventures.
Opportunities:
This theatre runs the Write Now 7 Festival, looking for full length plays by writers who have a strong connection with South East London. They also have a range of opportunities for short plays and run the Jack Writers’ Workshop. This seasons has 16 writers with 7 short plays being performed in March.
This theatre was the winner of Most Welcoming Theatre (south east) in The Off West End Theatre Awards 2013 & 2015.
Website: http://www.brockleyjack.co.uk/
Finborough Theatre
Based above a pub in Earls Court, this leading off-West End theatre focusses on thought provoking text-based new writing, as well as rediscovering genuinely neglected works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The theatre prides itself on offering a stimulating and inclusive programme at the centre of London’s cultural life, appealing to theatregoers of all generations and from a broad spectrum of the population.
I spoke to Artistic Director Neil McPherson to get an insight into life at Finborough Theatre. He described their producer Ashlet Clark was supported by their stage one bursary scheme for producers.
McPherson offered up advice to aspiring creative saying, “Just keep plugging away with it and continue to learn your craft by writing, producing and watching as much theatre as possible.”
Their recent plays include the rediscover play 3 Guys from the waist down and Stony Broke in No Mans Land.
Opportunities:
Finborough Theatre runs and annual festival of new plays in October, championing new writing. It also runs a directors course for budding theatre directors to learn their craft in a hands-on programme.
What’s on:
Weald by Daniel Foxsmith
2 February – 27 February 2016.
In association with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, and supported by BBC Performing Arts Fund Legacy Grant, the world premiere of Weald by award-winning new playwright Daniel Foxsmith. Weald is Daniel Foxsmith’s third full length play. Directed by Bryony Shanahan, director of critically acclaimed shows Operation Crucible and Bitch Boxer. Both, along with Charlotte Josephine, are co-Artistic Directors of multi-award winning Snuff Box Theatre.
On a remote livery yard in rural England, Jim arrives ‘home’ after eight years away, in need of work. It didn’t end so well last time, but he’s sure that this time it’ll be different…
Sam, as old as the fixtures and fittings themselves, reluctantly agrees – there’s work to be done after all. As the men attempt to pick up from where they left off, fresh cracks appear beside old wounds. Things have changed. But the world can only be held at bay for so long before the two men will have to answer for their actions.
A terse and delicate dissection of male emotions from a rural perspective: fathers and sons, honour and legacy, molasses and mud.
Website: www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk
Finborough Theatre
118 Finborough Road
London
SW10 9ED
Theatre 503
Located in Battersea above the Latchmere pub, Theatre 503 is a performing arts venue which specialises in ground breaking plays. This flagship fringe theatre has been showcasing innovative plays for over 30 years and is proud to offer more opportunities to new writers than any other theatre in the country.
I recently went there to watch Clickbait by Milly Thomas. This new play from the writer/director team behind A First World Problem, explores the complex attitudes to porn, particularly revenge porn. The main protagonist takes ownership of the sex tape that she’s being blackmailed over by releasing it online.
This dark comedy gave an interesting perspective of porn and showed both sides of the media’s intrusion and the affect this had on the protagonists’ relationships with friends and family. Theatre 503’s intimate 63 seat theatre created a fittingly intimate atmosphere to watch this play.
I spoke to Artistic Director Paul Robinson, who was excited by the year they’re had and their upcoming work. “People can really engage with the writer and actors in our theatre. Art is a way of engaging with today’s actions. As we have 63 seats to fill we can be more flexible and our audience is around 10 years younger than the average theatre audience at 20-35.”
For new scripts there is no policy on the theme, but they look for writers who see the world a little bit differently and have an interesting perspective. The desired plays must be relevant and raise different questions to the times we’re living in us. Interestingly Robinson told me about a community project they’re running next year which looks at cuts to frontline services and the effect this is having.
Opportunities for writers:
Theatre 503 playwriting award- opens this spring. This was launched last year, receiving 1600 plays from 41 countries. They are expecting around 3000 this year. Robinson spoke of this award as a chance to commission and source work specifically chosen for their stage. Theatre 503 aims to become the “best first chance for playwrights.”
503 Five- 18 month resident writer training programme for developing playwrights, who are slightly more progressed writers but without a full stage production. Over this advanced training programme writers will produce a full length play. Seasoned writer mentors including Dennis Kelly, Roy Williams, Tanysa Rhonda provide mentoring alongside other directors and agents.
This April will bring We wait in joyful hope written by 503 Five graduate Bryan Mullins. Robinson explained that the light touch and sensitivity social issues are tackled with in this story of an ex-nun running a shelter, makes it stand out.
On Next:
Four Play by Jake Brunger
Runs: 16 Feb- 12 Mar
“Spiders are scary. Terrorists are scary. Cancer is really scary. But… monogamy?”
Four Play rehearsals. Picture by Jack Sain
Rafe and Pete have hit a rut. After seven and a half blissfully happy years, their lack of sexual experience is driving them apart. When they proposition mutual friend Michael to help out with their problems – knowing full well Michael has his own partner Andrew – what seems like a simple solution quickly spirals out of control.
Commissioned by Old Vic New Voices and the TS Eliot estate and first performed in a reading starring Richard Madden and Jeremy Irvine, Four Play is a new comic play about sex and commitment in the 21st century.
From the critically-acclaimed director/producer team behind ★★★★★Sense of an Ending (Time Out) and the playwright of ★★★★Adrian Mole the Musical (The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph).
Website: https://theatre503.com/
The Latchmere
503 Battersea Park Rd
London
SW11 3BW
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Written by Martin Stocks | @Stocks1986
