Live Writes Spring
Live Writes
“A North East that writes its own story and fights for a more creative future” - Live Theatre vision
What is Live Writes? …it’s a Scratch Night, with a twist.
Live Theatre’s brand new writing showcase and development event with all creative positions filled from Open Calls for North East based Writers, Directors and Actors. A whole host of opportunities for theatre creatives of all experiences to flourish in a safe and supportive space, with live feedback, networking and championing of the amazing artists of our region.
Live Writes is all about the words on the page, for writers to experience their work in progress up on its feet and have a panel of theatre experts share their thoughts to help develop their script and future craft going forwards.
Each Live Writes event will see a handful of writers chosen from an open submission window to have their work performed in a scratch setting in our main theatre space in front of a panel of industry experts and a full house audience. Rehearsals, tech and performances all happen over one wild day, with no set and minimal props and tech.
Directors and Actors for each piece will also be selected from open windows, getting to choose which script they would like to be considered for from the synopses and character breakdowns of the four pieces.
Not only that, our open calls take place 4 times a year, and are only open to artists based in the North East.
These are all paid opportunities with every creative receiving the same day fee of £150. For writers, this is intended as a rights fee to perform your work and not a commission fee.
We can’t wait to see your creativity hit our stage!
Do You Like My Pants?
Written by Ruth Raynor
Directed by Katie Alice Stubbs
Performed by Ben Storey & Hannah Walker
Anne is at her sexual, intellectual and physical peak. She's on top of the world, and excited to meet Mr Jameson again. He's super fit and she's always had a thing for Dr's, (she knows it's a cliche - but there's a good reason for that cliche, is there not?) Unfortunately, he's got news and it's not great, not terrible, but not fantastic. She's got a lot to decide and not long to decide it... when it comes to the crunch will she work out what - and who - really matters?
Embers
Written by Tia Thompson
Directed by Andrew Dawson
Performed by Lewis Ralston, Steven Stobbs & Jake Wilson Craw
On the moors in rural Yorkshire a father and son sit and contemplate as local wildfires threaten their 4th generation family farm. They only have a few hours left when Matty's need to escape and want of a fresh start clashes with his dad's inability to let go of the past. After the loss of Matty's mother, the pair struggle to communicate but when threatened with losing everything the walls start to crack. When it comes time to go Matty and Dad have settled their differences and Matty leaves the farm with plans to meet his dad for lunch but Dad doesn't seem to follow. The play integrates the generation divide in rural communities and how grief and masculinity function in these spaces.
Speeding
Written & performed by Hendrika Seguro-Bigg
Directed by Chris Connel
Shadow Director Emma Dawes
Performed by Kylie Ann Ford, Ben Gettins, Hendrika Seguro-Bigg & Wilf Stone
Gwen Palmer's lost her job today, and seeing the flash of the speed camera as she drives home might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Being made to attend a speed awareness course is the absolute last thing she wants, especially when led by unhinged, lunatic, ex-police sergeant Lestlé ("like Nestlé") Thumb. When Gwen runs into old school acquaintance Kyle on the course, what starts as an unwelcome, awkward encounter soon sparks a reconnection, and together they try to navigate the chaos of Lestlé’s teachings. The course forces the class to confront harsh truths about themselves, whilst enduring Lestlé’s personal brand of vigilante justice. Self-reflection and flaccid erections are the flavour of the day in this absurd but heartfelt comedy.
The Barghest
Written by Owen Saunders
Directed by Stan Hodgson
Performed by Sarah Bulmer, Luke Swainson & Jake Wilson Craw
It’s the height of summer and Toby and his girlfriend Lauren have been invited to celebrate the summer solstice at the secluded cottage of Toby’s ageing mentor Frank. This is big. Really big. If Toby can convince Frank he is capable of taking over the rewilding project on his land, he could be first in line to inherit the entire estate. But some things -- and some people -- cannot be tamed, and the encroaching wild brings with it dark, folkloric forces beyond their understanding.
Live Writes Panel 1 April 20205
Ed Cole - Artistic Director of Alphabetti
Christina Berriman Dawson - Writer / Performer / Facilitator
Roxy McKenna - Freelance Development Producer
Creative Teams
Ruth Raynor - Writer of Do You Like My Pants
My first degree was in Drama: theatre, film, and television studies at Bristol University, I later did a PhD in human geography, developing my practice in performance as a method for social research. I roam about a bit, learning about people and places.
I’m really interested in the politics of emotion, especially at times of social and cultural change and all my work is driven by a belief in the healing power of creativity.
My latest play, ‘Grounded’ about grief and loss during Covid-19 is on at Alphabetti 22nd-24th May.
Katie Alice Stubbs - Director of Do You Like My Pants
Katie is an Actress, Director & Theatre Creative from the North East. She is known as an assistant director for Film & TV with credits including; Coronation Street (ITV), The Dumping Ground (CBBC) and Emmerdale (ITV). Katie was selected to work with Alphabetti theatre in 2024 as a director on 2 response pieces one for Disco Pigs and the other for The Nurses Station, she thoroughly enjoyed having complete creative freedom and working on new writing. Katie is thrilled to be working with Live Theatre and would like to thank them for the opportunity!
Ben Storey - Performer in Do You Like My Pants
Hannah Walker - Performer in Do You Like My Pants
Hannah Walker is an award-winning actress and theatre maker who creates autobiographical shows to open up conversations about social issues. Her show Gamble (★★★★★ A Youngish Perspective) is about her experience being in a relationship with a compulsive gambler and An Evening with Savvy B (★★★★ - London Theatre) looks at her relationship with alcohol and was shaped by workshops & pop-up performances in pubs and social clubs in the Northeast. Walker is an Associate Artist with The Six Twenty and is a reader with InterAct Stroke Support.
Tia Thompson - Writer of Embers
Tia is currently studying English Literature at Newcastle University, alongside this she writes plays. Some of her previous work has been shown at Bingley Arts Center.
Lewis Ralston - Performer in Embers
Lewis is a Teesside-based actor who loves tackling new work. His recent credits include: Silvius in As You Like It (Theatre Space Northeast), Jonathan Backhouse (Hopetown Darlington Railway Museum) and Mikey in A Pain In The Arts (Theatre Space North East). He’s also currently in the process of funding his first short film – Headache
Steven Stobbs - Performer in Embers
Steven is an actor from Sunderland and has been performing professionally on and off for the better part of 20 years, on both stage and screen. Has leant his voice to audio plays for New Writing North and most recently performed as the Professor in the Northeast tour of DIG by Ian Smith. Steven is looking forward to being a part of Live Writes and hopes you enjoy the evening.
Jake Wilson Craw - Performer in Embers & The Barghest
Jake Wilson Craw is an actor and writer from Newcastle. His recent credits include 'Never Look Back' with Roots Mbili at The Crucible, 'Santa at Live' at Live Theatre, 'Ducks & Dragons' at SIRF Festival and 'Wind In the Willows' with Northumberland Theatre Company. He's a regular player with Shakespeare's Speakeasy, Roll For Initiative, improvises with The Suggestibles, clowns with The Good Name Cabaret and most recently wrote and performed in sold-out sketch show 'Is This Anything?'.
Hendrika Seguro-Bigg - Writer & Performer of Speeding
Hendrika Seguro-Bigg is a Berkshire-born, Newcastle based, comedy writer and performer. She is the creator and host of all-female comedy cabaret 'The Girlie Show', the fifth installation of which will be held at Live Theatre on 28th May. Hendrika was also selected as one of New Writing North’s Emerging Creative Associates for 2024, celebrating new writing talent in the region. She has trained in improvisational comedy at The Suggestibles School of Improv and is a member of The Actor’s Forge.
Chris Connel - Director of Speeding
Chris has been an Actor and Television Presenter for almost thirty years. Theatre credits include: THE PITMAN PAINTERS, Friedman Theatre Broadway New York and National Theatre/Live Theatre. BRASSED OFF, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. BOUNCERS, Ambassadors Theatre Group. AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG, Cheltenham Everyman. THE STEAL, York Theatre Royal. ALADIN Durham Gala, CLOSE THE COAL HOUSE DOOR, Northern Stage/Live Theatre, WET HOUSE Soho Theatre/Live Theatre, BOUNCERS, Hull Truck Theatre. LOOT, Hull Truck Theatre. SHOOTING THE LEGEND, Theatre Royal Newcastle The Premiere of COOKING WITH ELVIS, Live Theatre, TOAST, Live Theatre. NATIVITIES, Live Theatre. STUDS, UP ON ROOF, A KICK IN THE BAUBLES, COOKING WITH ELVIS Hull Truck Theatre. BLACK ON WHITE SHORTS, Paines Plough. THE GIRLS OF POPPY FIELD CLOSE Live Theatre, PEER GYNT, Three Over Eden Theatre Company, CUDDYS MILES, Customs House. YOU REALLY COULDN’T MAKE IT UP, Live Theatre. THE FIGHTING BRADFORDS, Gala Theatre Durham
Kylie Ann Ford - Performer in Speeding
Ben Gettins - Performer in Speeding
Wilf Stone - Performer in Speeding
Wilf Stone is an actor/musician, performer and multi instrumentalist. He has performed in and composed for various productions over the last decade. Recent theatre credits include Tree (The Worriers), Fat Chance (Rachel Stockdale), Reiver (Elysium Theatre Company) and Song of the Goblins (Alphabetti Theatre). He has toured China, Europe, and the UK extensively - both with bands and as a solo musician. Recent local gigs include The Glasshouse (solo), The Cluny (band - WOLFRED) and Northern Kin Festival (band - WOLFRED).
Owen Saunders - Writer of The Barghest
Owen is a Gateshead-born writer based in South Shields. His work has previously been performed at The Customs House (Down the Lines, 2022) and Alphabetti Theatre ('Wild Crumb', 2023). His work often centres on home, belonging and otherness, with place playing a large role. He was shortlisted for the Under-26 Northeast Playwriting Award in 2024 and was recently awarded the Peter Lathan Prize to develop his play 'Paper Gulls'. He is very excited (and slightly bricking it) at the prospect of hearing his words performed on Live Theatre's iconic stage.
Stan Hodgson - Director of The Barghest
Stan is a Theatre Director and Theatre Maker from Darlington. He is an Associate Artist of The Lowry, Manchester. From 2013-2023 I was Founding Member and Co-Artistic Director of The Letter Room. As Director/Co-Director: I Got Rhythm (National Tour, Netherlands - also dramaturg), Raven (Northern Stage/Alphabetti), Kitchen Disco (Cultural Spring, Sunderland), Billy Liar (R&D, The Lowry), Walk in Wonderland (Theatre Hullabaloo), Cabaret of Nuisance (National Youth Theatre), Object Permanence (Alphabetti Theatre), Go Fever, Raw, Penny Floater (Live Theatre, 10mins to...); All in the Timing (Divadlo Inspirace, Prague) As Theatre Maker with The Letter Room: The Marathon Project (Digital Project, Available on Spotify), No Miracles Here (Northern Stage/RSC/Shoreditch Town Hall/UK Tour); Five Feet in Front (The Ballad of Little Johnnie Wylo) (The Lowry/Northern Stage); Bonenkai (Underbelly, Edinburgh); The Man Who Thought The Moon Would Fall Out of The Sky (Northern Stage/UK Tour) As Assistant Director: HERE (Curious Monkey/Northern Stage), To Kill a Mockingbird (Lyric Hammersmith/National Youth Theatre); Where Do We Stand? (Northern Stage); The Worst Princess (New Writing North)
Sarah Bulmer - Performer in The Barghest
Sarah trained at Project A in Newcastle. She has taken on a myriad of roles in her career from Shakespeare to Wilde to Kinsley (shout out to Mr Tweedy - It’s all in His Head). She is thrilled to be performing at Live.
Luke Swainson - Performer in The Barghest
Luke Swainson is an actor, theatremaker and sound designer based in Hartlepool. Following his graduation from The Northern School of Art, studying Acting for Stage and Screen, he specialised in Clowning, theatremaking and Devising, something he has continued to develop as part of The BrainSoup Collective, a surrealist theatre company based in Newcastle. Recent stage credits include a regional tour of "The Boy and The Seahorse" (dir. Katy Weir, 2024), "Ashtray" (Alphabetti Theatre, The Brainsoup Collective, 2024) and "Pulling Teeth" (Northern Stage, dir. Phoebe Pybus-Coates, 2024).
