New Writing at the Mercury
Thursday 1st June 2023
Calling all fresh new voices! Colchester’s Mercury Theatre, which consistently punches above its weight, is looking for promising playwrights to join its Writers Programme. Set up by award-winning, BAFTA nominee Kenny Emson three years ago, the nine-month programme is delivered via zoom so you don’t have to commute to Colchester to take part. Unlike other courses, says Emson, this is a two-draft system so participants have a really good chance of developing their work, with one-to-one dramaturgy, plus opportunities to participate in masterclasses by renowned writers, as well associate companies such as Graeae, English Touring Theatre, Paines Plough and Frantic Assembly. Since 2020, the programme has resulted in 30 new plays, and alumni include Waleed Akhtar, whose The P Word won an Olivier award. He is enthusiastic: “Kenny is a brilliant teacher and mentor. His wealth of experience and his generosity in sharing his knowledge has helped me immensely in my writing practice. The course was conducted over zoom which made the group even more inclusive and accessible. The monthly sessions were a real beacon for me during the dark time of the pandemic.” Other alumni, “Mercurials”, whose work was developed on the course, include Martha Loader (Bindweed, Brentwood Judges Award), Tom Murray (NorthStar; he’s now on the RSC 37 plays programme), Jacko Pook (Belter, Finborough ETPEP Award), Kelly Jones (My Mothers Funeral: The Show, Writers Guild NPCS Award), Ava Pickett (Bloodsport, TV writer), and Matt Gurr (Cowboy, King’s Head). The Mercury is currently developing seven plays by their writers, supported by creative director Ryan McBryde, who runs the Directors Programme, producer Dilek Latif, who runs the Producers Programme, and Antony Stuart-Hicks, who is in charge of overall talent development. With so much focus on new writing in London, theatres outside the metropolis are often seen as underdogs. To contest this bias, the Mercury aims to support its local freelance community and are looking for talent based in the East of England. Isn’t it time to join the underdogs? Application form — deadline: 5pm, Friday 16 June.
© Aleks Sierz
