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The new bilingual theatre writing company Sgript Cymru is open for business After months of uncertainty and controversy the new company gas begun accepting scripts and will develop and commission new plays in both Welsh and English for the theatre in Wales. The company is funded by an Arts Council of Wales grant of £1`70,000 a year, £90,000 a year less than the combined grants that Dalier Sylw and Made in Wales received ;last year/ But artistic director Bethan Jones and associated director Simon Harris believe that collaborations with other theatre companies in Wales and beyond can ensure the level of production is maintained and increased. Ms Jones said " We want to develop on several levels.. We want to make sure that the work from Wales is seen in Wales and beyond so that Wales has a voice" Mr Harris said,"There is a whole approach required from grass roots to presentation. We will be working with developing new writers, commissioning plays and staging plays. "The important thing is to have a huge network of work in development. The quality of work is proportional to the number of pieces in development." The new company has been formed out of Dalier Sylw, prompting fears in some quarters that it would not have the experience to deal with English language theatre. But the new company has already been inundated with scripts in English and the appointment of playwright Simon Harris is a strong sign of intent. The new company will stage at least four new productions each year; two in Welsh and two in English. The first production will be a staging of a new Mike Povey play 'Yr Hen Blant', premiered at the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli in August before touring across Wales. The company admits the current level of funding is difficult but ho;es a clause in its three year contract to look again at finances annually will see an increase in funds. "We want everybody to know we are up and running" said Ms Jones "We have a team of readers going through scripts and writing reports." The company will be appointing a literary manager later this year. "This is anew approach I think the writers are recognising this", said Mr Harris. Made in Wales, which produced plays written in English for Welsh theatre has effectively closed down after the Arts Council stopped its funding. It is now appealing against that decision. A base for the new company has yet to be decided. The Arts Council of Wales is keen on putting the company in the Sherman Theatre, but recognises that this is impracticable due to the lack of space.. Swansea's Grand Theatre or Chapter Arts Centre remain the most likely options. Mr Harris said "The quality of new writing in Wales in the abstract is good. We want to develop and get more quality work onto the stage" |
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Thursday, May 18, 2000 |
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