What’s
On
PLAYMAKER LATER
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Oxford Playhouse, with particular appreciation to Paul Simpson and Beth Sedgwick, for launching their brilliant new programme, Playmaker Later.
This inspiring initiative opens the stage for older aspiring writers to shape their stories, strengthen their voice, and prove with elegance and courage that creativity has no age limit. It is a much-needed and wonderfully conceived opportunity, and are truly grateful to see it come into being.
A sincere thank you also to the wonderfully talented writers who took part. You demonstrated with style and spirit that it is never too late to create. Your voices have value, your stories have power, and this is only the beginning.
Here’s to many more new scripts, new voices, and well-deserved rounds of applause.
Christmas cracker
Our fun-filled Community Christmas Show was performed and was very well received, with a fantastic cast, talented singers, and lots of audience participation, it was a joyful experience.
Venue:
St Matthew’s Church
68 Marlborough Road
Oxford OX1 4LW
Date:
Saturday, 14 December, 2024
PLAYMAKER LATER
We are in partnership with Oxford Playhouse and excited to announce Playmaker Later – a new playwrighting project for participants over 60.
Facilitated by Carolyn, eight Oxfordshire writers will develop a full-length play, with an excerpt staged in a rehearsed reading in 2025.
Over six months, they’ll enhance their skills, exploring structure and the theme “Does the Punishment Fit the Crime?”
The pilot program runs from September 2024 to March 2025 at Oxford Playhouse.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with older playwrights whose stories are enriched by life experience. As a former Playmaker, I’m excited to reunite with the Playhouse for this project.“
Carolyn Lloyd Davies
“We’re thrilled to offer this free development opportunity for later-in-life writers. At the Playhouse, we believe creative opportunities should be accessible to everyone. In celebrating ten years of our Primary Playmaker scheme, we wanted to connect with our local communities. Everyone can be a playwright, and we’re excited to work with Carolyn and see our writers’ journeys unfold!”
Beth Sedgwick, Community Programme Manager at Oxford Playhouse
CAN’T SEE FOR LOOKING
Written by Carolyn Lloyd Davies, with co-creator Franchezka Cunanan, Can’t See For Looking opened at The Old Fire Station on 28 September, 2023 and then transferred to The Cockpit, London opening on 18 October, Anti-Slavery Day.
When Rosa finds herself enslaved in London, she’s desperate to escape. But what’s her freedom worth, once she’s trapped inside the UK immigration system? Based on five in-depth interviews with modern slavery victims rescued from domestic servitude, this shocking, fast-moving play highlights the prevalence of hidden slavery in Britain today and how many of us turn away, because of what it might cost us to confront a neighbour, friend or employer.
Following their previous four star critically acclaimed productions, director David Trevaskis reunites with Carolyn Lloyd Davies to stage her new play, produced by Carolyn and Stephanie Connell for Living the Drama.
Oxford: The Old Fire Station, Oxford
28-30 September, 2023
London: The Cockpit
18 October-4 November, 2023
Age Guidance: 14+, [CW// emotionally upsetting scenes]
Sofia Holme, The Daily Info
It’s a pacily directed, well-acted and hugely compelling look at a painful topic, culminating in a powerful ending. Highly recommended.
Sue Brockes-Smith, ASIOX
Congratulations on a fantastic play, so sensitively done, powerful enough that no-one could leave having not been impacted and finishing with a good outcome!
Daniel Nelson, Migrant Voice
This is theatre that’s political and personal, with great characters, with drama and humour. Outstanding.
Simon Israel, C4 News
@LivingTheDrama1 Brilliant drama of hidden domestic slavery in UK. Captures brutal oppression of young Filipina nanny trapped and treated as worth nothing. HO asylum interview is backdrop to horrors of unfolding story. Utterly engrossing. Cockpit Theatre, London. pic.twitter.com/tHM7OerahH
— simon israel (@simonisrael) October 19, 2023
We’re so excited to let you know that our playtext for Can’t See For Looking is now out on Amazon, in paperback and Kindle editions! Published by Aurora Metro
Do feel free to leave a review after you’ve bought a copy!
penetration
We’re so excited to let you know that our playtext for Penetration is now out on Amazon, in paperback and Kindle editions! Published by Aurora Metro
Do feel free to leave a review after you’ve bought a copy!
LISTEN
You can listen to Carolyn’s interview with Miriam Higgins and Krage Brown of Oxfordshire Theatre Makers on their podcasts.
Carolyn shares some great playwriting tips, tricks and advice.
THIRD ACT
We’re a group of aspiring older playwrights who meet once a month, to support, encourage and critique each other’s scripts. It’s a friendly, supportive and stimulating group of like minded people who love theatre!
Two or three times a year we also have a ‘bring and share‘ lunch, with the opportunity of showing extracts from your work.
X