WriteForTheStage is a development agency for stage writers and theatre producers: helping writers of all levels of experience to hone their skills and get to the heart of what they want to say. They've helped hundreds of writers to bring their work to stages around the UK, including major theatres in Manchester and London, at the Edinburgh Fringe, Greater Manchester Fringe, and beyond. Playwriting masterclasses. Go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk for more info
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Ep 9 - Stefanie Moore - The Mentoring Experience
1:07:50
1:07:50
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We talk to Stefanie Moore, writer of Blue Lines (performed at Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2019). Stef applied to The Hive for a mentoring opportunity, supported by Arts Council England. Tim Firth was her appointed mentor. We talk to Stef about the experience: about the process of being mentored, as well as how to be a good mentee. We talk ab…
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Ep8 - In Conversation With Francesca Peschier - Dramaturgy
31:25
31:25
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We're very lucky, for this episode, to have had the opportunity to interview the Head of New Works at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. Francesca Peschier is the Head of New Works at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and she shares her insights into the art of dramaturgy and how it can help draw out theme, character, and structure in playwriting. We…
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Ep7 - Interview with Laura Harper, winner of WFTS Prize for New Writing
48:34
48:34
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Mike Heath speaks to Laura Harper, writer of "A Quick Guide To Ruining Your Life". The piece was performed at this year's Greater Manchester Fringe Festival and won first prize in The WriteForTheStage Prize for New Writing. Laura tells us about how she develops her ideas, how she juggles her home life with her writing, and how she develops characte…
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Ep 6 - WFTS Podcast from The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival
1:05:13
1:05:13
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We're at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival launch during this episode, talking all things process and development with some of the artists bringing their work to this year's Greater Manchester Fringe Festival. We talk with the makers of Aussie Animal Hospice, The Book Of Now, Bypass, Boots and Braces, Bard, The Earl of Winchelsea's Brother, Re…
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Ep 5 - WFTS Podcast from Greater Manchester Fringe Festival
1:06:25
1:06:25
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WriteForTheStage are official sponsors of The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival. This year, we’re meeting the artists who are bringing their work to the festival and discussing their respective creative processes. In this episode, we interview the creatives behind Tits Up; Adam, History of Man; Man Chase Women Choose; Best Girl; Kasterborous in Bo…
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Ep 4 - WFTS Podcast from Greater Manchester Fringe Festival
37:58
37:58
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WriteForTheStage are official sponsors of The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival. This year, we’re meeting the artists who are bringing their work to the festival and discussing their respective creative processes. In this episode we feature the creators of: My Bottom Did A Burp In Class; Our Kid; Once Upon a Time In Trieste; Is Trying Enough; Fift…
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Ep 3 - In Conversation with Rob Ward
1:12:48
1:12:48
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In this episode, Mike Heath and Stephen M Hornby interview award-winning playwright, Rob Ward. They discuss the development of Rob’s one-person and multi character shows. For more information about WriteForTheStage, our courses, our publications, or to read our blog, go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk
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In this episode, we explore how to create tension and conflict, and how to get those devices to propel the action of your story. We examine the construction of The Dramatic Question - a device that helps to keep the writer on track and the audience on the edge of their seats. We also introduce the first listener's challenge - to write a piece that …
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Series 2, Episode 1 - Our writing processes
1:00:15
1:00:15
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After a three-month break, Mike and Stephen come back together to be rude to each other all over again. This week we discuss our retrospective writing processes: Mike discusses the process of taking a script through a development process with actors and feedback from the audience, and Stephen discusses working with archive material and how he gathe…
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Episode 10 - In Conversation with Dr Szilvi Naray-Davey
1:43:30
1:43:30
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In this episode our regular hosts, playwrights Mike Heath and Stephen M Hornby, interview Dr Szilvi Naray-Davey. They share their favourite theatre experiences from 2018 and get a bit pissed on cheap Prosecco. Szilvi discusses the intricacies of dramatic language translation, and tells us about how European theatre differs with British theatre, wit…
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Episode 9 - When Harry Met Sally - part 2
19:51
19:51
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This week we’re going to be analysing the second half of our study movie - When Harry Met Sally. We’re going to explore the falling action of Act 2 where the protagonist goes from triumph to despair, and the new tension and twist that helps our protagonist seek out a resolution to the POTW by addressing their emotional need in Act 3.For more inform…
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Episode 8 - In Conversation with Cathy Crabb
1:12:30
1:12:30
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Cathy Crabb is one of the North West's most prolific playwrights. She has written over 20 stage plays and her work has appeared extensively on Manchester's fringe theatre scene, as well as at main-house theatres, such as Oldham Coliseum, Royal Exchange, and Contact Theatre.Mike Heath interviews Cathy, asking about what inspires her, how she develop…
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In this episode, we explore how the classic 1989 movie, When Harry Met Sally, uses the 3-act structure to tell a satisfying story. We explore the set-up of Act 1 and the Rising Action of Act 2. The second half of the film will be analyzed in Episode 9. For more information about WriteForTheStage and their courses, publications, and their blog, go t…
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Episode 6 - In Conversation with... Act 3
1:01:56
1:01:56
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Mike Heath and Stephen M Hornby discuss the functions of Act 3 and how playwrights have approached the end of their plays. We explore The Habit of Art, by Alan Bennett; The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter; and Escaped Alone, by Caryl Churchill. Banter and exploration of the 3-act structure. For more information about WriteForTheStage, go to www.write…
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In this episode, Mike Heath looks at the functions of Act 3 within the 3-act structure. We explore how the set-up of Act 1 and the build of Act 2 contribute towards a whole, creating a resolution that feels satisfying and logical. Mike addresses a question from an audience member, and talks about how Act 3 in his play, The Game of Two Halves, is us…
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Episode 4 - In Conversation with... Act 2
49:28
49:28
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Mike and Stephen discuss Act 2 of their favourite plays. They explore Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams; and Angels of America, by Tony Kushner. They also discuss by Ear For Eye, by Debbie Tucker Green, and Faraway by Carole Churchill.
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In this episode we’re going to talk about the Rising action of Act 2, and how it sets up the Falling Action; driving the character from a moment of triumph towards a pit of despair. We’re also going to include a question from a listener regarding the function of dialogue.The study play is The Game of Two Halves, by Mike Heath. Buy a copy of the pla…
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Episode 2 - In Conversation - Starting Points
52:56
52:56
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Introducing our co-host, Stephen M Hornby. Mike Heath and Stephen discuss the openings of some of their favourite plays: exploring what makes a powerful, striking opening (and what doesn’t). Bants and conversation about modern theatre, along with a fair amount of opinion and mutual ribbing. Go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk for information about Wri…
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In this episode we’ll be exploring the functions and purpose of Act 1 in the 3-Act Structure. The study piece is The Game of Two Halves, by Mike Heath. You can get a copy of the script (first play in Mike Heath:Plays One) in either paperback or on Kindle at writeforthestage.co.uk/wfts-publishing
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