For the first time The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama will present a season of new writing in both Cardiff and London.
The festival comprises specially commissioned work by up-and-coming playwrights, each of which will be performed in Cardiff and then London’s Gate Theatre featuring 32 of the College's graduating students. Seminars and post-performance talks will also be taking place.
Spring Awakening by Gary Owen, which re–sets Wedekind’s play in the present, is an earlier commission which will be presented alongside three premières which have the working titles Pomona by Alistair McDowall, VS09 with Fries by Hayley Squires, and Blister by Laura Lomas. These have been developed with The Royal Court Theatre and Paines Plough.
Jamie Garven, Senior Lecturer in Acting, said "This project will allow our students to work directly with new writers in rehearsal. The writers have been given a blank canvas, and have already been to the College to meet the students they’ll be working with.
"We’ve just finished selecting directors that suit each writer’s work, and The Royal Court and Paines Plough are helping us to look at the scripts and work with the writers throughout the initial creative process. Taking these new plays to London to showcase a complete season of new work is a new and exciting step for us as a College, and will further enhance our presence there, showcasing our student’s talents to writers, directors and agents."
The season plays Cardiff from 1 to 4 April and London from 8 to 12 April. Further information about the College and its new season programme is available from the College website.