Writers showcase new work in Birmingham

Published: 19 May 2012
Reporter: Steve Orme

Without a Hand to Hold by Rob JoinerThree new plays will be the centrepiece of the Capital Theatre Festival which takes place this week in Birmingham.

The festival is the brainchild of Birmingham-based writer and dramaturg Catherine Edwards.

The plays selected are Calyx by Sean Burn; Without a Hand to Hold by Rob Joiner who graduated from the University of Birmingham’s MPhil in playwriting studies in 2010; and Cuddles by Joseph Wilde who emerged from the Royal Court and Chichester Festival Theatre young writers’ programmes.

Catherine Edwards commented, “We’re delighted to be supporting these writers and to give them a platform to showcase their work.

“The current closure of Birmingham REP means there’s a gap in the market for identifying and developing new writers, especially in terms of raw and challenging subject matters, which I hope will engage a new and younger audience.”

Alongside premieres of the plays, the festival includes writing workshops from Soho Theatre, Birmingham REP and Stan’s Cafe plus an evening of short plays hosted by Talking Birds.

Capital Theatre Festival runs at mac, Birmingham from Thursday until Saturday (24 to 27 May).

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