Group: Stage Write

Stage Write is meeting again. If you’re interested in writing, performance or criticism this should be good news for you. Stage Write was formed a couple of years ago with the idea of bringing together those interested in such things to read new works, especially those aimed at theatre, radio, TV and film.  It met initially in FYCreatives on Blackpool’s Church Street where its founder, Ian Lamond (former education officer of the Grand Theatre) had a lot of support from the local council. From the start it attracted a range of male and female writers and performers with a variety of experiences and backgrounds. 

The organisation has put on workshops and masterclasses which drew in experience from various areas. These included Carole Sollazo, writer on Radio 4’s The Archers, talking about scriptwriting and Professor James Dodding, director, showing how script and performers interact to get a performance into its initial action. Members of the group have also given sessions on acting or writing.  All of these activities were on the backbone of reading new works with critical feedback being given to the author. This has led to a variety of successes. For example, Phillip Avenall joined the group as a performer but was encouraged to try writing. One of his works went on to be performed in Blackpool’s festival of words, Wordpool, in 2011 alongside work by another Stage Write member.

This year several of Stage Write’s members’ monologues were successfully performed as part of the Wordpool festival.  One of the group’s writers approached the group looking for critical feedback for his latest work, a full-length pantomime, which is now in rehearsal for a production with an amateur dramatic group.

The organisation has also been close to the annual one-act play competition run in Blackpool for several years, ‘Grand Words’. Several Stage Write members have been prizewinners, have received commendation or been short-listed.

After a short break over the summer, when founder, Ian, moved on, it was decided that Stage Write should be continued, with some slight changes. The group now meets once per month at the Catholic Club on Queen Street, Blackpool, near the library, from 7-9pm. Generally this will be the first Wednesday of the month (other than in January when it will be on the 9^th). The January meeting will be led by Jennifer Smethhurst, renowned local director, performer and actor, looking at the move of a script from page to stage.

If you would like some feedback on a piece of writing, the group is open to scripts being sent to them for consideration. Getting feedback is always very valuable for writers of all types and in the case of Stage Write you don’t have to attend readings in person to have this.  Having said this, it’s a friendly and open group always happy to see new people. There’s no pressure to read works out and newcomers are more than welcome simply to attend. There’s a small monthly fee (£3) to cover room costs and investment in future workshops. The group is committed to continuing the long tradition of Blackpool as a town for both established and new performance.