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THE W. R. FOUNDATION AWARD
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"Talent,
artistry, creativity, tenacity and strength of character - all
essential qualities in the process of making a play. But the
inescapable fact is that theatre is also a brutally practical
business - especially when it comes to money; no money/no show." |
Willy Russell
WILLY RUSSELL AND
TIM FIRTH - THE SINGING PLAYWRIGHTS OFFER £5000 FUND TO
STAGE NEW WRITING AT 2005 EDINBURGH FRINGE
Willy Russell and Tim Firth
have conquered the theatrical and literary world as well as that
of film and television. But both began their careers with plays
that were first staged at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe –
Willy Russell’s first show was Blind Scouse at The Rifle
Lodge Broughton Street in 1972 and Sam Mendes directed Tim Firth’s
first show Hexen, a play about witchcraft in Cheshire, 20 years
ago.
In recognition of this and
to help promote the staging of quality new writing for theatre
on the Edinburgh Fringe, Willy Russell and Tim Firth have come
together to create a new award - The WR Foundation Award - which
will fund a piece of new writing to the tune of £5000 towards
the staging of the production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2005.
Willy Russell and Tim Firth
have also joined forces with David Pugh, the West End and Broadway
Producer (ART and The Play What I Wrote), who will administer
the award.
The world deserves to see quality
new writing and The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the foremost
showcase for the International stage. Russell and Firth invite
all those who have written a new play, are writing a new work
or who have the most incredible new production but can’t
afford to stage it to apply for THE W. R. FOUNDATION AWARD.
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"In
1972, I blagged, begged and borrowed until I had enough - just
enough - to produce my first Edinburgh show. Without the faith
of those who invested in a very fledgling talent I might have
eked out my years as the worst hairdresser in the world! In helping
to set up this award I'm hoping help real writing talent to emerge
- and perhaps, down the line, spare the unfortunate heads of
women who deserve only good hairdressers." |
Willy Russell
How to apply for THE W. R. FOUNDATION
AWARD:
- Get an application form for
the THE W. R. FOUNDATION AWARD. Application forms are
available by emailing dpl@davidpughltd.com or calling 020 7434
9757 or by post from David Pugh Ltd, 41 Beak Street, London,
W1F 9SB.
- Send scripts together with
an application form by post to Wendy McAdam C/o David Pugh Ltd,
41 Beak Street, London W1F 9SB by 24 December 2004.
- Judging will begin in January
2005. A panel of judges, including Willy Russell, Tim Firth and
David Pugh will pick the winner. The judges decision is final.
- The Winner of the THE W.
R. FOUNDATION AWARD will be made on 14 February 2005. The
£5000 prize money can be spent on any costs to enable the
play to be presented at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The
winning play must be presented at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival
Fringe.
Please Note: There are no restrictions
to the scripts that can be sent except that they should be in
the English Language and be text-based rather than dance or movement
led.
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Fringe Director Paul Gudgin
welcomed the award saying:
"It
is a wonderful testament to the Fringe that two artists who have
made their name here are giving others the opportunity to succeed
at the world’s largest arts festival."
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