Are you thinking of entering?

To help us in our planning, we would love to have some indication of the likely numbers of entries. If you are thinking of entering, can you please let Carol know by email, phone or post? 

carol.donockley@btinternet.com     01228 547043
Carol Donockley,
30, Knowe Park Avenue,
Stanwix,
Carlisle,
CA3 9EJ.

NB - this is in no way binding! In other words, you may decide to enter at the last minute, or you may find (having intended to enter) that your muse fails you - we've all been there.

We were hoping to provide a template of a suggested format that you could feed your script into. Unfortunately, we find we do not have the technology to do so on this blog. But if you would like a sample of an accepted format, please email conjensen@trifolium.co.uk and Connie Jensen will send you a relevant sample. You can then delete Connie's content and paste in your own.
If this last is not possible, please at least make sure that your entry is typed (i.e. not hand written), with speech and stage directions clearly distinguished, as explained in the instructions in the 'Format of Scripts' paragraph below.

SEARCHING FOR A SCRIPTWRITER - A NEW COMPETITION

North Cumbria Scriptwriters (NCS) invites writers resident in Cumbria to take part in a competition for a play based around a poem. The three winning plays will be staged in the studio at Theatre by the Lake in April 2017 by local actors with local directors.

Information for Entrants

The play

1. Your play should be 30-35 minutes in length and must not have been previously performed.

2. It must be suitable for acting by a maximum cast of six, in traverse setting, with minimal/economical set and costume implications and with straightforward lighting and sound effects.

3. The poem around which the play is based must feature on its own as part of the envisaged performance: at the beginning or end of the piece, as preferred, or divided between the two; lasting not more than five minutes in all, with this timing to be included within the 30-35 minute overall requirement. 

The poem

1. The poem can be part of a longer piece if you wish; likewise it can be two or more shorter pieces.

2. It must not be the playwright’s own work.

3. Use of the poem in performance in this project must not involve NCS in any copyright or permissions issues, whether costs or negotiations. 

Format of scripts

1. Scripts must be typed on white paper in Arial font, size 12, double-spaced, with speaker names ranged left (not above speeches centrally) and with voice- and stage-directions clearly distinguished (e.g. italic).

2. Printing must be single-sided with pages clearly numbered, but without any running headers or footers.

3. Include the poem, with title and author given, and placed before or after (or part and part) as you intend for performance.

4. Scripts must not carry any identification of the writer.

Submission

1. The deadline for submissions is 31st August 2016.

2. Writers should submit one play only.

3. Three printed hard copies of your script are to be submitted.

4. On a separate A4 sheet, please provide your name, the title of your play, your Cumbrian residential address and other contact details, together with a signed and dated undertaking:

“Except for the poem, this play is my own original piece and I recognise that NCS has no responsibility for any copyright or permissions implications financial or otherwise in regard to the poem or to any quotations and/or music featured”.

5. Acknowledgement of receipt will be made only if a stamped addressed envelope or card is included.

6. Please send the three copies, the separate sheet and, if included, the stamped addressed envelope or card, to:

Carol Donockley,

30, Knowe Park Avenue,

Stanwix,

Carlisle,

CA3 9EJ.

Judging and selection of plays

1. Submitted scripts will initially be read by three members of NCS, none of whom has written a piece for the competition. They will select five plays to go forward to Ian Forrest, the Artistic Director of Theatre by the Lake who will have been totally independent of all previous proceedings. He will decide on the three plays for performance.

2. The three successful writers will then be contacted at once, with their names and the titles of their plays being posted also on this NCS website. The anticipated timing for this is late October 2016.

3. If any of the three successful scripts is subsequently withdrawn by the writer, the three NCS members will select one of the remaining plays on the shortlist for performance instead.

4. Decisions in all cases are final. No opportunity for discussion or correspondence will be offered.

Subsequent arrangements

1. NCS undertakes to work with local actors, directors and others to ensure their commitment to the one performance at Theatre by the Lake in April 2017. If at all practicable, repeat performances elsewhere in the county will be arranged. Involvement of the writers of the successful plays at all or any stages will be welcome.

2. The directors of the winning plays will reserve the right, in consultation with the playwrights, to amend the script where they feel it is necessary for the successful performance of the play. The director's decision will be final.