Play to the Crowd – the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester and Hat Fair Outdoor Arts festival – is set to host another opportunity for local writers and directors to meet and work together on new pieces of theatre.
Next month Theatre Royal Winchester will host the charity’s 2026Creative Speed Dating Evening where six writers will pitch ideas to six directors in three-minute, speed-dating style conversations – with six pairs forming to work on a series of monologues or duologues.
Local writers and directors interested in taking part in the event can apply now via an online application form. The speed-dating style event will take place on Monday 14 September at 7pm, with the closing date to apply to take part: Friday 28 August.
The application form, and more information about the opportunity, are available at: www.playtothecrowd.co.uk.
The opportunity is open to emerging and established creatives aged 18 or over, and based locally. It is an unpaid opportunity.
After the speed-dating style event, six pairs will form to work on their own 10 to 15-minute monologue or duologue, which actors will perform at a Scratch Night in Theatre Royal Winchester’s Atrium in November. From there, one work will be selected for further development into a full 45-minute piece that will be performed at a Showcase event on the theatre’s stage, in a studio format, in February.
The three events form Unwritten – a development opportunity, which is part of Play to the Crowd’s Local Creatives Programme. Play to the Crowd is the arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester and Hat Fair Outdoor Arts festival. Its Local Creatives Programme aims to create opportunities in Winchester for local creatives interested in all areas of live performance.
Unwritten returns after two pieces of work were selected to be performed at last year’s Showcase: Soulmates – a boy meets girl tale – written by Sara Fairclough and directed by Rebecca Godden; and Alternate Reality – about a long-suffering wife’s response to an unusual birthday present from her boring husband – written by Jonathan Edgington and directed by Alix Cazalet.
Talking about Unwritten, Senior Creative Producer, Hannah Jones, said: “Last year we saw some incredible pieces of new writing come to life through both our scratch night and showcase. The work was innovative and exciting, with emerging local writers and directors bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the stage. We are really excited to be entering our second year of Unwritten and can’t wait to see the talent and ideas that come forward this year.
“If you are a writer or director at the early stages of your career, I would really encourage you to apply or come along and have a chat with us. Unwritten is a chance to experiment, take creative risks and test out ideas in a supportive and safe space, with the opportunity to develop your work and connect with other local creatives.”
Please contact Hannah with any questions about this opportunity at hannah.j@playtothecrowd.co.uk.
Unwritten: Creative Speed Dating Evening will be at Theatre Royal Winchester on Monday 14 September at 7pm. For more information, visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.
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