During 2020 the Shakespeare North Trust and the BBC’s The One Show joined forces to organise a young person’s playwriting competition.
‘As You Write It – Your Play on Stage’ attracted entries from all over the UK with thousands of children and young people submitting their ideas for a short play.
The amazing prize was for three lucky winners (one from each age category) to have their ideas brought to life on stage at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
At the time of the competition, the multi-million-pound arts venue was still under construction but fast forward two years and three young writers are set to see their plays performed on the ‘cockpit’ stage at Shakespeare North Playhouse this weekend (Friday 9 and Saturday 10 September).
The three female writers, whose ideas were selected by an expert judging panel, have since worked with a professional creative team to see their productions come to life. With a talented case, a selection of celebrity screenwriters including Frank Cottrell-Boyce and a Shakespearean Globe director, these 3 productions are a tour-de-force of unique, joyful and youthful performances driven by talented scripts and imaginative ideas.
Act 1: All the World’s a Stage by Ruby, aged 15, from Lancashire – a comedy set in modern-day Liverpool. It’s a story about the relationship between a schoolgirl and her imaginary friend – William Shakespeare!
Act 2: Nectarine by Ana, 17, from Brighton – a powerful story of friendships, family and finding yourself. A warm hug of a story that stands up for LGBTQ+ people; a party and a protest that you’re all invited to.
Act 3: Telling Tales by Rosie, aged 11 from Ayrshire – Who pushed Jack down the hill? Our best loved nursery rhymes have been turned on their head to create a mystery that needs to be solved, and fast!
This weekend, the plays will be the first scripted production in the Cockpit Theatre.
Some tickets are still available for some performances, you can book here.
