Our writer-in-waiting has been on the Royal Court Theatre’s Critical Mass Programme, Invitation and Super Groups and has been informally attached to the Clean Break Theatre. She has had rehearsed readings of her plays at the Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, Young Vic, Young Actors Theatre and Tristan Bates Theatre.
I’ve reached my first landmark since my last post. I’ve secured Soho Theatre’s upstairs studio for a script-in-hand performance of my Alfred Fagon Award shortlisted and Bruntwood Award longlisted play Take Me 2 Manhattan.
The performance is Tuesday 20 November 2012 and I’ve got 90 seats to fill so do come, bring your friends and family, and spread the word.
Much thanks to Femi Oguns (Identity Drama School) for providing the lead in Simona Zivkovska as Ailleen, Snakegully Productions for Tatiarna (Maria Thomas), Talawa Theatre for young director Erica Miller and Michael Quartey (formerly Young Actors Theatre/EastEnders) for playing Ryan. Also thanks to Words of Colour Productions for offering support.
Unfortunately, I’ve received no financial support from any of the theatres. Royal Court enjoyed the play, but already has a crowded programme. Oval House Theatre also enjoyed the play, thought it deserved production, but found it too naturalistic. No word from my Clean Break director contact and Theatre 503 – they have no money. Talawa Theatre was good enough to provide a reading of the play at the Young Vic last year and have given me excellent advice for this year’s script in hand, but again they have no additional funds. No feedback as yet from the Tricycle.
I also need three more actors to complete the cast: Rose (45 plus, white English) Silco (45 plus, white English) and Kyle (47, white Irish). I’ve put in calls to Tristan Bates Theatre, Old Vic (for Kevin Spacey), Oval Theatre and even emailed Mark Wingett, formerly of The Bill, but no word yet.
If you’re an actor and keen to perform in an epic play at the Soho Studio, please contact Words of Colour. Once the casting is locked I can request commitment from Talawa Theatre, Soho Theatre, Royal Court, Theatre 503, Oval House and Clean Break to promote the reading.
As from for my other projects, Bracewell Road (my 1950s TV pilot) and Soun’ Clash (my 1980s feature film) have both been passed on to actor Don Warrington who has a production company associated with Talawa Theatre. I’ve also been told on good authority, by Knight Hall Agency, that Soun’ Clash is on the top of their agenda for a re-read, following my redraft and resubmission.
Feedback from the BBC on Soun’ Clash was also encouraging. They called described it as “compelling, energetic and a powerful evocation of [the] early 80s”. That said, the Idris Alba contact fell through and United Artists has gone quiet. Also actor and producer Gary Beadle has promised to knuckle down with Bracewell Road as soon as possible. I’m in the process of redrafting the script into a full length stage play as I want to keep my options open.
Mirror, my short film, will soon premiere. I’ve seen the draft movie and all it needs is to lock down the sound links and credits. I’m also pleased to report that the first draft of my radio play, Not Cricket, about four old boys who meet up for a reunion while basking in the West Indies cricket team’s 1984 whitewash of England and fighting to settle old scores, has been completed. I’ve now batted it to BBC radio in hope of commission.
As you can tell, it has been a very busy summer and I’ve only just passed the starting line.