The Open Session: 2017 writers announced
8 Dec 2017
A NEW SET OF WRITERS & PLAYS ANNOUNCED FROM BRISTOL OLD VIC’S 2017 SEARCH
Bristol Old Vic is delighted to unveil a new set of writers and plays found through its yearly West Country talent search The Open Session. Literary Associate James Peries said:
"2017's writers take us into such varied worlds it's dizzying – and it's so satisfying to be working with them across genres and in subject matter that challenges, surprises, and entertains. The stories take us into: cyberspace; the USA; our childhood memories of fictional heroes and foes; a forbidden love in the Caribbean; and a richly melodic and quirky musical for all ages.
Last year The Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation began its generous support of our work developing the plays of West Country writers. A previous year's Open Session play – Booby's Bay by Henry Darke – will be at the Wardrobe Theatre from 1-3 March 2018, supported by Bristol Old Vic and the Ronald Duncan Foundation. We’ll see more Open Session plays coming into production in Spring/Summer 2018."
Here are the plays and writers selected from The Open Session this year:
GUNSHOW by CONNOR MACLEOD
Gabe is a Middle American child of the internet – searching for her spotlight in a vast sea of vloggers and unboxers. It's tough and addictive, but Gabe needs those hits and a USP to get them, so… "Welcome to Gunshow".
THE DISSOCIATION OF SHIRLEY MASON by ISABELLA CULVER
Shedding new light on the real 1950s case of a girl with sixteen different personalities. Shirley Mason (aka Sybil) became a victim through diagnosis, while her therapist and a journalist brought her case to international fame. Set in America during a time when psychiatry went rogue, what was the truth behind her condition?
MILLIE AND GEORGE by LIZ MYTTON
When they fall for each other Millie and George know 1960s Jamaica isn't ready for two women in love. Kingston's hotel and club scene provides some cover, but dangers run deep and superstition abounds. As daughters of the Empire could they leave for the utopia England seems to present?
OUR BLOOD IS AN OCEAN by JACK SANDERSON-THWAITE
Tonight John is attempting an exorcism and he needs your help. He's been haunted by the Incan priest Rascar Capac ever since he first saw him in the Tintin books. It's time to put a stop to it, but there's so much that could go wrong. One man, a microphone, and a room full of ghosts.
MR MAGLUMP a musical by BROOK TATE
"Watch out for No.9" they whisper. On a street where everybody knows their neighbour, one man stands apart – Mr Maglump. Behind his door lies a rather marvellous secret which could turn the town upside down, and quite possibly the right way up. Just one brave child has the courage to find out what it was, or who it was, that put the glum in Maglump.
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.