New Edinburgh Fringe play wanted for 2015

Published: 30 May 2014
Reporter: Sheila Connor

Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre is on a quest to search for a brand new play to take to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015.

The Youth Theatre's celebration of new writing, Festival Fringe Shorts, is launched this week, and the play chosen by the panel will be developed with the Youth Theatre for a two-week run at the 2015 Fringe. It will also be taken on by the publishing company Stagescripts Ltd.

This is the second FFShorts festival. The first play chosen in October 2012 was Revolution Society by Sarah Power, which was staged at the Pleasance Dome for two weeks at the 2013 Fringe.

Adam Forde, Head of Youth Theatre, explained, "We had a fun play which went down very well at the Fringe last year, but just as important as the critical and commercial success was the journey that Sarah and the Youth Theatre went on together.

"From the brief synopsis to the selected shortlist and to developing the full-length version was a great experience for all concerned and we all learned a great deal.

"After that experience, we're really looking forward to finding a strong successor and it's very exciting to start the search again. This is a brilliant opportunity for a writer to see their work performed on an international stage and then to have it published."

YAYT is looking for an hour-long, original piece of writing that has never been performed before suitable for a cast of six to eight young actors. There are no restrictions about themes or subject matter.

Adam added, "We are so thrilled to have the support of David Waters and Stagescripts. It shows a faith in this new festival but also a commitment to reward and expose quality new writing and the work of the Youth Theatre.

"We have performed new plays in Edinburgh for the last six years. As a youth theatre, we have always been committed to new writing and have a long record of producing original works both on a large and small scale."

The closing date or submissions to the festival is Friday 18 July. See the Yvonne Arnaud web site for more information.

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