More details of Overdue by Arabella Arnott, the first play in Alphabetti Theatre’s first season in its new premises, have been announced.
Beth and John are happily married. But they’re not always happy. There are lots of things they need to talk about.
A chance encounter with a young single mum, Izzie, reminds Beth of her past, and conversations with an enigmatic young stranger, Jack, bring her thoughts and fears into focus.
As Beth comes to find comfort in her ongoing chats with the two youngsters, she discovers that Jack may not be a stranger, and that he seems to hold the key to a lot of the answers she has been looking for—or hiding from.
This is actress Arnott’s first full-length play, although two of her shorter plays have been produced at Alphabetti, Fresh Start in 2016 and Life After in March of this year. Like Life After, Overdue is produced by Coracle and directed by Matt Jamie. It is supported by Arts Council England.
Trajectory, which comprised Life After and Steve Byron’s Bricks and Mortar, was the last production in Alphabetti’s old home in New Bridge Street.
Alphabetti regular Rosie Stancliffe plays Beth and Christopher Price is John. Two newcomers, Skyla Pearce and Benjamin Michael Smith, complete the cast.
Overdue runs at Alphabetti’s new premises in St James Boulevard from 5 to 16 September (not Sunday or Monday).
In addition to the production itself, there will be a playwriting course consisting of four 2-hour writing workshops with writer/performer Steve Byron, leading to a completed short play. There are 200 places on the course.
The course will explore storytelling, writing for drama, character development and journey, story arcs, monologues, dialogues and writing for more than two characters.
The workshops will culminate in the production of a 5-minute script for up to 4 actors from each participant. These plays can be inspired by the themes or ideas from Overdue—or may go off on a tangent... The price of the workshop includes a ticket to Overdue in the first week.
Following the workshops, a showcase rehearsed reading of the shorts by the cast of Overdue will be presented at Alphabetti on 3 October.
Workshop dates are Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7, Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 September at Alphabetti (venue TBC) 7:30PM. The cost of the course will be £30, which includes a ticket for Overdue. Places on the course can be booked at the Ticketsource web site.