Pantomime season is looming...

With pantomime season looming, now's the time to start searching for a script.
The Production Scripts web site has a good choice of original scripts, including two of mine. The first is a simple version of Cinderella which was written for the Southfields Theatre Group when it first formed. The script was written on the basis that the group was new and that most of the founding members had never done any acting, at least since school. It is a very simple production but also very funny.
The second script I have written is Ali the Barber and the Forty Thieves. As yet unperformed, it again has been written with amateur groups in mind.
If you do not care for either of my scripts, you will find a good choice of others at Production Scripts. A good function of the site is that you can purchase reasonably priced read through copies of scripts before you go on to buy performance licences.

Creating an exciting piece of theatre...

My own experience of writing for the theatre is to think this way. First of all, come up with a clear vision of what the finished production will look like. This is what I am doing for the first show that will be produced through Grid#Productions.
I used the same process with my first piece, Cinderella. Okay, so the story is very familiar. However, I wanted it to be a simple show that could be produced by an amateur theatre group on a very tight budget. In fact most shows can be produced very simply.
Once the vision is there, the rest sort of falls in to place. It is a matter of introducing the various characters and ensuring a good plot line that has a beginning, middle and an end. This is all rather similar when starting a business - putting on my hat as a business adviser for a moment. It's all about that vision of where you want to be. At the end of the day, if you can see the big picture, the detail will fall into place much more easily.

Southfields Theatre Group

Two new shows are now in the planning stages by the Southfields Theatre Group.
The first is a revue with a war theme which will take place at the Earl Spencer pub in Southfields on 11th, 12th and 13th November. All profits from the show will be donated to the Royal British Legion.
The second show is the traditional pantomime which will take place on 6th, 7th and 8th January. More information and updates will appear on the group web site: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk/

Summer's over and..

I am now working on writing the next pantomime. Still very much a 'wip' so will not reveal anything yet. Give me another couple of weeks and something will unfold...