WriteFest - a Writer's View

In last week's post I described the process of choosing the plays to be perforned and I thought  this week it would be interesting to talk to one of the writers.

I contacted Owen Goode as I'd heard that his play Skimming Stones had been the most popular choice among the potential directors. I was therefore surprised to learn that it was the first play he's written. It features a man who returns to his family home for a funeral after a prolonged absence and is about the different ways people deal with loss, and the subtle way relationships change. A lot to pack into a short piece and that was Owen's original challenge to himself in writing the play, to see if he could squeeze a complete drama with a lot of backstory into ten minutes.

Although this is the first play he has written Owen has had plenty of experience in performing other people's work. At Progress he played Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and was the Angel Islington in Neverwhere. He also appeared in a play called My Voices(s) which was originally performed at the very first WriteFest in 2006 and then went to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2007.

Owen as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps (although he claims this is how he always dresses to write)
 

So how does it feel to be on the other side of the fence? Some writers find it very difficult to let go and allow a director and cast a free rein with their work. Owen did admitt that it can be difficult to put your trust in other people to handle something you've made but, while willing to rewrite or clarify if requested, he was able to keep in the background. He has now seen a run through at the technical rehearsal and is very happy with the end result. He can see another layer of creativity spread thickly on top of  his script and even  some very nice moments coming out that he's sure he didn't put there.

He doesn't think first night nerves will compare to going on stage as an actor - after all it is out of his control now - but there may still be a slight jitter in the background wondering what the audiences will think...

If you are interested in what goes on at Progress Theatre then sign up to this blog. Enter your email in the box under ‘about us’ and click on subscribe. New postings are made weekly so you won’t be swamped with emails.

7th Annual WriteFest 14th - 17th November 2012, Progress Theatre

Auditions for Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman. Saturday 17 November 2 to 5pm or
Wednesday 21st November 7.30 to 10.30 pm plus Saturday 24 November 2 to 5pm (Main characters and call-backs)

Auditions for New Directors' Double Bill Wednesday 5th December, 7.30pm or Sunday 9th December 2pm, Progress Theatre

Progress Youth Theatre presents For the Love of a Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker 10th -15th December 2012, Progress Theatre

The Fifth Elephant by Stephen Briggs based on the book by Terry Pratchett 17th - 26th January 2013, Progress Theatre

Details of all our productions and auditions can be found on our website.