At
our Story Scavenger
evening on 23 May, our
Vice-Chair, best-selling author, Kate O'Hearn, led a fun workshop,
which challenged both our brains and our writing skills. She gave a
very clear scenario: a complete short story featuring at least four
characters taking part in a couples' weekend at “The Royal Muskoka
Hotel” on a Northern Scottish island in late October with the
opening line: “The weather turned as the small ferry arrived at the
island dock.” We also had to incorporate a list of objects into the
action: a long, leather whip, a green goblet, a plastic pumpkin
lantern, a pink Hawaiian baseball cap, two feathers, a toy monkey, a
2009 calendar, a drill, a skipping rope and a mobile phone (though
phones weren't allowed on the weekend). In the last 30 minutes, some
brave members read out their attempts, often to hoots of laughter,
particularly at the use of the objects, which was at times ingenious
and at others verging on surreal.
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Friday, 13 May 2016
Drama Results - 9th April 2016
On
9 May, over half the members attended to hear the results of our
second competition of the year: a dramatic piece of ten to twenty
minutes in length, suitable for performance at the Hastings Festival
Fringe. The organiser of the event, actress and director, Heather
Alexander, was our judge, and she was extremely encouraging about our
work. She gave a clear overview of all fourteen entries,
followed by very practical, useful suggestions for how to make each
piece work on stage before announcing the winners. First was Amanda
Giles' well-controlled and tightly written monologue, 'Miriam Waits',
followed by Godfrey Forder's poignant and timeless short play, 'Just
War' in second place. The light-hearted 'Lifted', by Roz Balp, was
third, and fourth was Vicky Armstrong's uplifting 'Above Rubies'.
Heather summarised the judging by saying that although the prize was
originally for the winner to have their piece performed, she felt all
were worthy of inclusion in the fringe and urged us to have an HWG
short play evening at one of the town's venues. Finally, two members
performed Jill Fricker's Highly Commended political satire, 'Brexit,
Non!' More information about this year's Hastings Festival Fringe can
be found here.
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