“London must welcome such well-produced events showcasing new writing”
I must praise the venture that is ‘Bespoke Plays’. The company began in the US and recently launched their UK branch. They call themselves a writer-driven company with a mission to offer play readings for writers with diverse stories and world views. From a quick look at their website, this is their second reading at the Union Theatre. The company promise to host more playreadings in the coming year.
Just as it is bad etiquette for the press to review shows in previews, I would feel entirely out of place reviewing a show that was introduced as ‘in the very early stages of development’.
However as I was invited along, I will happily comment that the night itself was slick; well produced and marketed. Mimi Collins (Director) has put together a talented cast: Jay Faisca as Alf, Nathan Adams Stark as Mike, Deanna Myers as Cam, Patrick Shearer as Uri, Analiese Emerson as Luce, Jake Solari as Gabe, and Oliver Nazareth Aston as Em.
The direction of the semi-staged reading was clear and intelligent, the stage directions were used sparingly, and the actors (along with some simple set, and some well-placed lighting by Gabriel Burns) did the rest.
Playwrights (especially in the UK) are always crying out for more opportunities to showcase new writing (especially in Central London venues like the newly relocated Union Theatre where this was held). With funding being cut to many venues and companies, and annual events like The Vault Festival coming to an end, the need for these types of well-produced nights of new writing has never been stronger. Whilst this first piece is by an American playwright (J Holtham) who is on the board of Bespoke Plays, the company have told us they hope to open submissions to English playwrights in the coming months to give early-career writers the opportunity to hear their work aloud, see where they need to make changes, and to build a community.
After tonight’s particular play, ‘Creation’ by J Holtham, we were invited to stay and have a chat or give feedback to the creatives afterwards if we wished. Overall, the night itself seemed a success, and I hope that Bespoke Plays will host many more similar events with greater and greater attendance. London seems to have a good culture around attending Work-in-Progress comedy nights, and I hope that this and other events of its kind will encourage people to attend more Work-in-Progress play nights.
I wish ‘Bespoke Plays’ all the best for their future endeavours. It is a great initiative done well, and I look forward to seeing their future offerings. I am also excited (now that they have made the move to the UK) to see them include new work by local writers.