Birmingham-born writers Robin French and Rachel De-Lahay are to join Birmingham REP as writers-in-residence for 12 months.
Robin French, whose first major theatre commission for the REP Heather Gardner—a new version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler—premièred at the Old Rep Theatre in March, will run workshops and “contribute to the artistic life of the building”.
French is currently writing the screenplay for the David Bowie and Iggy Pop biopic Lust for Life and a second series of the BBC 3 series Cuckoo.
His first play Bear Hug won the Royal Court young writers’ festival and was produced at the Royal Court in 2004.
As Pearson playwright-in-residence, Rachel De-Lahay will be both writing and running workshops and masterclasses as well as assisting with the company’s artist professional development programme, REP Foundry.
The Pearson Playwrights Scheme was originally established by Thames Television in 1973 to encourage new writers in the theatre. Publishing company Pearson PLC took on the scheme in 1994 and offers bursaries to new writers.
Born and bred in Birmingham, Rachel's first first full-length play The Westbridge was produced at The Royal Court Theatre in 2011. The play won the 2012 Writers Guild Award for best play. She is currently under commission to the Royal Court Theatre, the National Theatre and Film 4.
The REP’s associate director Tessa Walker said, “both Robin and Rachel have vivid, bold voices that are born out of Birmingham as a young, diverse city.
“The city has played a huge part in their journey in theatre and both are fantastic writers who are passionate about making work for our audiences and putting the Birmingham voice on stage.
“They will be with the company at a significant moment as we celebrate our centenary and look forward to reopening our newly refurbished theatre.
“We’re really looking forward to working with them and seeing their work come to fruition.”
Charlene James will be starting a shorter residency at the REP as part of the theatre’s partnership with the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
From April until July she will work in a variety of mental health settings with patients, their families and staff.
She will create a new play that will be performed in a rehearsed reading at Bedlam: A Festival of Mad Ideas in November after Birmingham REP has reopened. The theatre is currently closed for refurbishment.