When you’re running a theatre company, choosing what exactly you’re going to put on is fairly important. As I am not really a writer (I have written things, but I have to really be in the mood) and I’m not particularly comfortable devising theatre with a cast (although never say never), that only leaves me with one option. I have to choose a play that has already been written, but where to start?
If I don’t already have a play in mind (or a feasible one for where I am at the moment), then I head over to the Nick Hern website to see what is available for licencing. For those who don’t know this, to perform a play, you have to get permission from the playwright and most likely pay a fee. However, if the play is already being performed by another company in the same (ish) area as you, then it is unavailable, and you will probably have to choose something else. Of course, if you’re doing an old play (eg Shakespeare) then that will most likely be in the public domain which means you can do it whenever and however you want. Although, look around and use your common sense (no one needs two full length Richard the Thirds in the same vicinity).
But I digress. Once I have gone to Nick Hern’s website, I can filter the kind of play that I want by genre, cast size, and play length. For example, I could choose a drama for two performers that is one act. Just doing this now, one hundred possible plays have popped up for me to choose from. With this library at your fingertips, you can work through and find a plot or synopsis that sounds interesting to you. Of course, if you already know what play you would like to do or have a playwright who’s work you really enjoy, you can just type that into the search bar at the top.
I know that it sounds like I’m just doing an advert blog for Nick Hern at this point, but by now, it’s all on you. And if you’re anything like me, you have a long list and so a lot of reading to do. From here, as with most things, choice is up to your own personal taste. For me, I enjoy plays that focus more on character relationships than plot and plays with some kind of time pressure in real time. I am also drawn to plays for women, written by women that are a little more off the beaten track. Once your reading is done and your choice is made, then it’s back to our friend Nick Hern to apply for the rights and you’ll normally get an answer within a week.
So, a one act play for two women with a complicated relationship that’s set in real time and that not many people know about. Sounds like ‘Thick as Thieves’ by Katherine Chandler is Everything’s Rosie’s next play!
Two women from very different worlds: Karen has built a picture-perfect life while Gail struggles to keep hers together. When Gail re-enters Karen’s life from out of the blue she brings with her everything Karen has been running from. ‘Thick as Thieves’ is a tense, revealing play, exploring what it means to care for one another and asking who we expect to look after us.
If you are interested in being part of this production, keep an eye on our casting calls page by following the link https://www.everythingsrosieshows.com/casting
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