Young Writers FestivalYoung Writers Festival | Young Writers Festival

What to plays to read – tips from Royal Court writers, staff and actors – episode 5

Royal Court — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:49:46 +0000

Check out what plays our Royal Court writers, staff and actors recommend you read in our latest video – episode 5!

Reading List – Ed Franklin

Royal Court — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:07:53 +0000

1. ‘Gethsemane’, David Hare

2. ‘Old Times’, Harold Pinter

3. ‘Doubt’, John Patrick Shanley

4. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, William Shakespeare

5. ‘Constellations’, Nick Payne

Writers’ Top Tips Episode 4 – Motivation & Focus

Royal Court — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:22:26 +0000

EPISODE 4: top tips by Royal Court Writers

You’ve had eight cups of tea, five biscuits, cruised facebook for the last 30 minutes and opened a word document ten times. Finding it hard to focus on getting your play on the page? Have a look at this fourth video instalment of top tips – you might even forget the kettle is boiling!

Reading List – Zoe (Production @ Royal Court)

Royal Court — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:05:09 +0000

1. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

2. Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth

3. Earthquakes in London by Mike Bartlett

4. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller

5. Venus in Fur by David Ives

Writing Tips – Tanika Gupta

Royal Court — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:04:03 +0000

When you’ve finished a first draft, even if you think ‘this is the work of pure genius’ -choose very carefully who you’re going to ask to read it. Make sure it’s someone you trust who is going to be able to give you good, constructive feedback and who knows something about plays. Don’t ask your next door neighbour to read it just because he/she happens to be fit. There’s nothing worse than hearing someone say, of the work you’ve slaved over for months: “wasn’t really my cuppa tea/didn’t really understand this/didn’t think it was very good”. etc. It’s bad for your confidence as a writer and even worse for your sex life.

TANIKA GUPTA
For the Royal Court: Sugar Mummies
Other theatre includes: Great Expectations (Watford Palace), White Boy (NYT/Soho), Gladiator Games (Sheffield Crucible).

Reading List – Caroline (International @ Royal Court)

Royal Court — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:03:47 +0000

1. Translations by Brian Friel

2. Mad Forest by Caryl Churchill

3. The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

4. Oleana by David Mamet

5. Our Class by Tadeusz Slobodzianek

Writing Tips – Sarah Wooley

Royal Court — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:03:26 +0000

There seem to be two types of writer.

The Bob Dylan type who can write about just about anything very quickly (It used to take Bob 10 minutes to write a song) and the Leonard Cohen type (took him 2 years plus to write Hallelujah).

I am the Leonard Cohen type. It takes me forever to write a play. Because of that I need to be in love with the story I’m trying to tell. I need to be besotted with it.

I have rejected many a great idea because I know I’m not the person to write it. So I guess what I’m saying is ask yourself am I REALLY in love with this idea/story? Can I bring something original and fresh to this subject? Am I the ONLY person who can write this play? ‘Cause if like me, you’re a Leonard and not a Bob, you’ll need to love it to keep going!

SARAH WOOLEY
Theatre includes: They Have Oak Trees in North Carolina (Theatre 503), Under the Concrete, Waiting (NTStudio).

Reading List – Tamara Micner

Royal Court — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:42:26 +0000

1. ’4.48 Psychosis’ by Sarah Kane

2. ‘Hedda Gabler’ by Henrik Ibsen

3. ‘London Assurance’ by Dion Boucicault

4. ‘The Constant Wife’ by W. Somerset Maugham

5. ‘Blackbird’ by David Harrower

Writers’ Top Tips Episode 3 – Where and When…

Royal Court — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:02:20 +0000

EPISODE 3: top tips by Royal Court Writers

It’s always hard once you’ve got that idea in your brain to actually sit down and write it. From bedrooms to libraries to cafes and offices, some of our writers share where and when they find it easiest to write it all down. I’m sure they won’t mind if you copy them – we won’t tell!

Music to watch plays by… Leo Butler’s Spotify playlist

ianravenscroft — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:30:38 +0000

Leo Butler, Writers Tutor for the Royal Court, has tapped into his musical side and created a Spotify playlist for the Young Writers Festival. If you’ve got Spotify then you can get the playlist here.

Here’s what Leo has chosen…