Now in its fifth year, Teesside-based less is MORE Productions is presenting a week-long new writing festival, the Teesside New Writing Festival 2014, at the Middlesbrough Theatre from 3rd to 8th March.
Four new plays will have full productions and there will also be rehearsed readings of work by Middlesbrough playwright Ishy Din, along with workshops and post-show talks.
"This is a huge undertaking for us," the company says. "Since we started we have seen many companies come and go along with venues, but the north east, and Teesside especially, are suddenly flourishing with theatrical talent. The week is designed to help compliment other venues as well as supporting writers in the next step from workshops to seeing their work in front of an audience in a larger venue."
The five plays are:
In Progress by Ishy Din
Tuesday 3 March, 7PM
An evening spent with local playwright Ishy Din, following a scripts development from an initial spark, through to the first draft and on to a final duologue, seen for the first time as part of the festival. A chance for the audience to chat with the writer and see the process through his eyes as well as having a chance to feed in their thoughts and opinions via the cast and director.
That Gay Play by David Tuffnell
Tuesday 4 March at 7PM and Wednesday 5 March at 2PM and 7PM.
Remember your first kiss? That person you fancied at college, the one that broke your heart? Or the one who helped you mend it once more? In a series of interviews we find out answers to these questions and much more, asking Middlesbrough’s LGBT community what love means to them.
String by Allison Davies
Tuesday 4 March at 8:30PM and Wednesday 5 March at 3:30PM and 8:30PM
"The universe is weird. A lot weirder than you think."
This is Tio’s story, but parts of it could be yours. An absurd tale of love and loss with a little quantum physics on the side, String shows us that we might just be more connected than we know.
One Way Street by Jonny Bussell
Friday 7 March at 7PM and Saturday 8 March at 2PM and 7PM
"Maybe this street, this town, this world doesn’t really exist."
An absurdist, black comedy about three men on an estate in Stockton who just can't seem to escape their street. Through the eyes of the stranded men, One Way Street looks at the consequences of what happens when people are forgotten by their government and society in general.
A Slice of Life by Olivia Brady
Friday 7 March at 8:30PM and Saturday 8 March at 3:20PM and 8:30PM
"Why do they make nice things so naughty? Technically I skipped breakfast so the chocolate is allowed."
Have you ever uttered those words "I’ll start again on Monday"? Well these girls have! A modern day comedy about the stresses and strains that women go through to lose weight, following Michelle, Lynda, Caroline and Susan on their individual journeys revealing the power of friendship and how support can help each other in fighting the fat... or at least that's what they want you to think...
Post Show Talks
- Wednesday 5 March: post-show talk with cast and creatives of That Gay Play and String
- Saturday 8 March: post show talk with cast and creatives of One Way Street and A Slice of Life
Writing Workshops
Thursday 6 March 10:30AM and 2PM
Tickets from the theatre's box office on (01642) 815181 or 729729 or online.