Competition winning play Bluebells and Dirty Nappies written by Blackpool-based artist Lindsay Bennett-Thompson will be showcased as the climax to our Power Plays festival. This event will also allow audiences to hear selected scenes from three long listed plays from the previous night’s showcase event and the culmination of our writer-in-residence Martha Pailing’s musings from her time spent at TheOE, along with a post-show Q+A with Lindsay Bennet-Thompson. Play Synopsis: Set between North and South Pier on Blackpool Beach. Two volunteer litter pickers spark an unusual friendship. With one of them desperate to hold onto life (Norma) and the other…
Four actors and a director will work with the writers of three long listed scripts submitted to the Power Plays competition to bring their play to life to a script-in-hand read through. See The Seagull Has Landed by Michael Davies, The Dreamer by Jake Wolf and The Queen of the Sun by Leah Philbin.
Are you a writer who has ever found themselves stuck in the creative process? Have you ever felt like your work could use an extra set of eyes to help elevate it to the next level? If so, you might want to consider working with a dramaturg. In a conversation with Stewart Pringle, writer and senior dramaturg at the National Theatre, you'll learn more about how a dramaturg can help take your work to the next level.
A selection box of 9 micro plays by award winning writers, performed by a new generation of the North west’s brightest young student actors. These are tough talking little plays dealing with the hard things in life with humour and resilience worthy of the best generation ever, the mighty Generation Zed! There will be a post-show Q&A with Rachel Ashton (Artistic Director at Theatre Factory) and Phill Greg (Senior Artist at Theatre Factory) from 8.15-8.50pm.
The world is full of amazing stories. Wouldn’t they all just make great plays? Well, yes and no. In this writing workshop Theatre Factory artists will take you through some of the basic thinking necessary before you start your Theatre From Real Life project.
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! Bring your best singing voices and dance moves for our fun filled singalong with musician and performer, Anthony Mason. There will also be the opportunity to have a go on a ukulele and strum along to the music. PRICE: FREE drop-in session BOOK: No need to book, just come along. Workshop A: 11.am - 11.30am Workshop B: 12pm - 12.30pm Workshop C: 1pm - 1.30pm Workshop D: 2pm - 2.30pm
Join Andy Hollingworth for a special tour of his ‘I photograph comedians!’ exhibition as he shares anecdotes about the legendary comedians captured in close-up portraits and intimate behind the scenes shots.
Join historian and author Dr Kathryn Ferry for this twilight talk. From their introduction in the early nineteenth century, pleasure piers developed from simple walkways into major entertainment centres. Offering music, dancing, amusements and sports; piers were also an important place to see and be seen. In this talk, Kathryn Ferry will look at how different generations have enjoyed these uniquely seaside structures, celebrating the place of Blackpool’s three piers in their wider national context. Duration: 60 minutes
Join historian and author Dr Kathryn Ferry for this talk based on her book ‘Seaside 100’, published by Unicorn March 2020. Sandcastles, donkeys, piers and sticks of rock. Beach huts, paddle steamers, promenade shelters and ice cream cones. Our modern seaside is the sum of its parts and all those parts have their history. This talk will unpick our experience of the seaside through the things that make it distinctive. Duration: 60 minutes
Join Showton every Wednesday, throughout the summer holidays for family fun craft sessions. Come along to the Sir Ken Dodd Learning Space...get crafty and create your own Blackpool themed creation from a silly seagull to your own paper bag puppet. With a new themed each week, add a little extra fun to your summer with Showtown! Want to be inspired by the funniest ventriloquists? Join us on Wednesday 24th July for paper bag puppet making. No need to book. Just come along as part of your Showtown visit (entry charges to Showtown apply).