Budding new writers from Reading are invited to make their theatrical debut thanks to a contest where the prize is seeing their work performed on stage.
RABBLE Theatre Company is holding its annual Off The Block event early next year.
The event is usually a sell-out, and sees four short plays devised, rehearsed and performed all on the same day.
Three of the show’s writers have been confirmed. These are all professionals at the top of their game.
And joining them will be the winner of RABBLE’s Find a Reading Writer event.
RABBLE is inviting people to get in touch with them before midnight on Wednesday, December 11.
Those wanting to join in should include a CV and information about themselves.
On Sunday, December 15, successful applicants will be given six hours to write a short play inspired by a clue the Off The Block producers give them that morning. Their words should be submitted by 4pm that day.
The plays will then be performed at South Street Arts Centre on Friday, January 31. More than 30 professional theatres are involved, and this is the 13th years the scheme has been operating.
RABBLE says that it has proven a great way for the company to meet and develop new creative professionals, with one past participant, Beth Flintoff, recently appointed writer in residence at London’s Royal Court Theatre.
What happens during Off The Block?
In previous years, the plays have been written as a relay.
On Monday of Off The Block week, the first writer receives an email at 7.30am. This details the four actors, who the composer and director will be, a theme and what the final line of Off The Block will be.
They then have 24 hours to write a 20-minute play and submit it back to the team.
On Tuesday morning at 7.30am, the RABBLE team send the closing line of that play, along with details of the next four actors, plus the composer and director, to the next writer.
This process is repeated on Wednesday and Thursday with the next writers.
The final play is submitted at 7.30am on Friday, the performance day – there are now four all-new plays ready to be rehearsed, costumes and sets arranged, and music composed.
A meeting at 9.30am sees the cast and crew come together to start mapping out their plays, ready to perform at 7.30pm that evening.
How can new writers take part in RABBLE’s Off The Block search?
If you would like to be considered for the competition, email writers@rabbletheatre.com with your CV and a bit about yourself, by midnight of Wednesday, December 11.
How do I get tickets for Off The Block?
If you’re not a writer, and want to watch the performances, tickets are already on sale.
They cost £30 and are valid for the performance at South Street Arts Centre on Friday, January 31. Curtain up is at 7.30pm.
For more details, or to book tickets, log on to: https://rabbletheatre.com/off-the-block-13/
Who are RABBLE?
Launched in 2012, RABBLE has been creating plays that tell unforgettable stories in fascinating spaces.
Venues have included the Abbey Ruins, The Blade, and Reading Minster Church, and some of its shows have also been performed in Central London and across the country.
Its most recent production was Glitch, based on the Post Office scandal. It told the story of Pam Stubbs, a postmistress at Barkham Post Office for more than 20 years who then got caught up in the problems caused by the Horizon scandal, one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
Its production of Henry I in 2023 received five-star reviews, with The Telegraph’s critic Dominic Cavendish says it was “visceral, witty and compelling”.
In addition to its plays, it runs workshops for youngsters wanting to take their first steps in drama and has just performed A Christmas Carol.
In the spring, it will launch a nine-week musical theatre course for ages eight to 18.
It runs a supporters’ scheme, called RABBLE Rousers, and asks for a monthly gift of £3, which is ploughed back into its vision to create new plays and offer opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds to make outstanding theatre.
READ MORE: Meet Steve and Sarah Boden, the team behind Reading’s pantomime, Cinderella
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