Entries are being invited for the TheatreFest16 New Work Award.
The play-writing competition invites writers from the island and around the world to submit a new one-act play based on ‘Journeys’, the theme for the TheatreFest16 programme of three new works making their debut over the weekend of September 23 to 25 at the Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen High School.
The winner will have his or her play performed during TheatreFest17.
Launched in 2015 with the theme of ‘Slavery’ the TheatreFest15 New Work Award went to Steve Harper, a retired BT manager from Norfolk, for Morning Star, a play set in a Bristol inn in 1848.
Mr Harper’s play, described by competition judge Colin Dolley of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators as a work with an ‘intriguing, vibrant script’, ‘sharp dialogue’ and ‘compelling narrative’, will have its debut performance on September 23.
Isle of Man Arts Council vice-chairman Michael Lees said: ‘Steve Harper rose brilliantly to the challenge of what was a very difficult subject to write about and has set a high standard for future New Work awards.
‘We see the play-writing competition not only as an opportunity to encourage new writing talent - be that talent in the island, the British Isles or anywhere in the world – but also to attract established writers, and for the journeys theme to shape and inspire this year’s submissions as powerfully as slavery did last year.
‘TheatreFest is all about “the new”: new works, new places and new people. And by “new people” I mean not only those new to performing or working behind the scenes, but also new audiences and new writers. In short, it’s about new creative opportunities for everyone.’
Organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council, TheatreFest is a five-year project to pioneer and promote new work for the theatre, a legacy outcome from Island of Culture 2014.
For terms and conditions for the TheatreFest16 play-writing competition visit www.iomarts.com. Entries can be submitted by email to iomartscouncil@gov.im or mailed to Isle of Man Arts Council, Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 5EZ.
Closing date December 31, 2016.
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