It’s really hard for writers to get their work out there, but locally there are some champions, The Live Theatre being one of them. Tucked inconspicuously down a side street leading off from Newcastle’s Quayside, it has recently commissioned such leading lights as Lee Hall and The Pitmen Painters as an opener after its refurbishment. The Live Theatre also runs opportunities for new writers such as evenings where short scripts are read out by professional actors. One such evening last year was for scripts based on the theme of The Pitman Painters; it was a great experience for me to hear my work read out for the first time and to receive invaluable feedback from the audience.
For the past 18 months I have also been in The Live Theatre Writers’ Group and it is work from this which has been developed then directed and produced into an evening of monologues and duologues. The evening is not only a showcase for emerging writers but also for new acting talent and directors, Helen Ferguson and David Robson all under the energetic guidance of new writing administrator, Degna Stone with everyone donating their time and work for free.
Unfortunately, the cast call does not provide me with the elderly gentleman needed for my retired colonel so do I know anybody suitable? Nobody local comes to mind and I am about to go away for the week, returning only a couple of days before the performances. However, Robin, who played recently in my audiodrama, Oranges and Lemons (blog 24 September 2009), suggests Stan, who has spent many years treading the boards in their local amdram. On the evening of my holiday with barely a thing packed I arrange to go over to Stan’s with the script. So many uncertainties at this stage. I hold my breath whilst Stan reads the script aloud and try not to think of the pile of ironing I’ve left at home. Even on the first reading, Stan makes it come alive and I feel quite emotional but what will he think of it and will he be prepared to do it?
To my immense relief, Stan says not only will he do it but he also thinks it’s a great piece of writing. I go away on holiday and return to The Live Theatre a week later with recording equipment. Rehearsals have now been going strong for over a week and I record 7 out of the 11 monologues over 2 days - my first outside broadcast. Degna has identified those monologues which don’t need visual cues and would translate well to audio. In between rehearsals we call the actors up to the Green Room and use an upturned sofa to absorb the sound taking an occasional break in recording to allow for sirens to pass over The Tyne Bridge.
It’s an absolute treat to work with the actors, their timing is immaculate, often reading a 10 minute monologue without referring to their script which will make the editing much easier. Everyone involved seems genuinely appreciative of what I’m trying to do. I am also testing the contracts out – standard clearance agreement for the actor’s performance and and contributor’s contract for the writers. These have been drawn up by the solicitor to ensure I am cleared for putting people’s work and performances on my website.
The evening arrives and it’s time for the performances which are carried out in the intimate surroundings of The Buttery Bar of the theatre with actors popping up randomly in succession. Everything flows coherently and as the time nears for Stan to read my monologue my heart starts to pound and Stan rises from the chair and adopts the stance of a retired colonel and delivers a wonderful interpretation far in excess of what I could have imagined. It starts off very gently and comic with a few laughs then the twist which catches a few people in the audience off guard.- as usual Wonderhubby is non-committal about it all but afterwards there are many compliments in my direction. I, in turn am very effusive about other writers’ work and actors’ performances and it’s genuinely well deserved. I make my way to Stan and give him heartfelt thanks and also to Degna for all her hard work and organisation. It’s been a long day, a glass of wine for me, a beer for Stan and Wonderhubby is driving home tonight.
Rebecca Spears reads Degna Stone's monologue Moth
Moth by Degna Stone LiveTheatre
