Uprising Writers on Attachment

We are delighted to announce the four UPRISING writers who will spend the next five months on attachment with us. They are Alison Carr, Becky Prestwich, Francesca Waite and Hannah Rodger.

We asked writers to tell us about the play they had a burning desire to write and and we are thrilled to be commissioning the development of four very different and unique ideas. With support from Monkeywood, the writers will each develop drafts of a brand new play to be produced as a rehearsed reading for an audience at The Lowry in June 2015. Beyond this, we hope to continue our relationships with each of the writers.

We’ll let you know more about the plays they’re writing when we’re further on in the process but in the meantime, here’s a bit more about our writers…

ALISON CARR
Alison’s recent theatre credits include THE SOAKING OF VERA SHRIMP (Winner, Live Theatre/The Empty Space Bursary Award); FAT ALICE (Traverse Theatre); A WONDROUS PLACE, Manchester Theatre Award-nominated for Best Studio Production (Northern Spirit); NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS (Theatre503); THE GIRLS FROM POPPYFIELD CLOSE, CLINT (Live Theatre); CAN CAUSE DEATH (Forward Theatre Project at the National Theatre, Northern Stage & Latitude Festival). Radio credits include Afternoon Drama DOLLY WOULD (BBC Radio 4) and YACKETY YAK (The Verb, BBC Radio 3). Alison’s play FAT ALICE will be performed in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh later this year as part of the A Play, A Pie & A Pint Spring Season (Oran Mor).

BECKY PRESTWICH
Becky’s plays have been produced at White Bear Theatre Club, the Old Red Lion, Bolton Octagon and Theatre 503. Her first Radio Play, CHOPPING ONIONS was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, starring Maureen Lipman. In 2011, Becky spent a year on attachment to the BBC through the Writersroom 10 Scheme followed by their 2013 Playwrights’ Scheme, designed for up-and-coming playwrights keen to write for Continuing Drama. She is currently on the DOCTORS Shadow Scheme and writing a new commissioned play for Box of Tricks Theatre Company. Her second Radio Drama ALIYAH will be broadcast on Radio 4 in June 2015.

FRANCESCA WAITE
Francesca’s writing work includes NIGHTLIGHT (The Lowry); DYNAMITE (The C Project at The Lowry, Manchester Theatre Award-nominated for Best Studio Production); LITTLE FISH and SEE THROUGH ME! (The Library Theatre Company); STARS ARE FIRE, nominated for Best Production in Equity’s Vicky Allen Award and The Co-operative Group’s Audience Award (Monkeywood Theatre) and short film THE ARTFUL DODGER, Children’s BAFTA-nominated and shown at Cannes Film Festival (BBC2 Education).

HANNAH RODGER
Hannah has an MA in Creative Writing and has been on courses with Soho Theatre, Paines Plough, Old Vic New Voices, The Royal Exchange, Manchester and The Octagon, Bolton. Her work has been staged at the Arcola Theatre, Old Vic Tunnels, Theatre 503 and at the Vineyard Theatre in New York. Her debut play HAPPY NEVER AFTER was performed at the Pleasance Theatre in London and Edinburgh.