Leigh playwriting group Scriptshop, in partnership with Wigan Pier Theatre Company have been awarded an ‘Awards for All’ grant of £5000 to develop new playwriting opportunities across Wigan Borough.
Following the success of the Replay cabaret events presented at the annual Leigh and Wigan Words Festival in 2006, the funding will allow an eight month programme of workshops and performances in a variety of venues across Wigan Borough.
Stewart Aitken, Artistic Director of Wigan Pier Theatre Company, said,
“This funding has given Scriptshop and the all writers a great boost. In the past we have had submissions from new and established writers and the cabaret evenings have provided a showcase for the wealth of writing talent in the borough. I would encourage anyone who has any interest to get in touch, come to the workshops, and enter a script.”
The programme started on Saturday 9th December, with a successful writing workshop led by Liverpool playwright, poet and performer Dinesh Allirajahl. Dinesh has been a major influence on the Liverpool writing scene since the mid 80’s promoting the work of Black and Asian artists. His work has been seen all over Europe and in 2004, his debut book of short stories, ‘A Manner of Speaking’ was published.
Those attending the workshop and other interested writers, both new and experienced, are invited to submit a script to be considered for the first Replay cabaret of the series, to be held on Saturday 27th January 2007.
Interested parties can enter a script even if they didn’t attend the workshop. Scripts have to be no more than ten minutes and have no more than four characters. The theme for the first cabaret is ‘Haunted.’ Two copies of the script should be sent to Scriptshop, PO Box 115, WN7 2WU, no later than Saturday 23rd December 2006.
Successful writers will be invited to a development workshop on Saturday 13th January and their scripts will be performed on by professional actors under the direction of Stewart Aitken, Artistic Director of Wigan Pier Theatre Company.
There will be future opportunities to submit scripts; those who cannot meet the first deadline will be considered for future events.
For details of the Replay cabaret series contact Wigan Pier Theatre Company, on 01942 709305, or Scriptshop via Mark Marguerie on 07951 189323, or Julie McKiernan on 01942 683169.
Notes To Editors
For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Manager, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937.
Awards for All
Awards for All England is supported by the Arts Council England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active
Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
Wigan Pier Theatre Company
Wigan Pier Theatre Company is the resident professional Theatre Company for the Wigan Borough. The company creates and delivers high quality theatre events and participative activity to engage local people and visitors with the borough’s culture and heritage.
