Tag: London

15
Sep

Introducing: playwright Aysha Scott

As October approaches, and we prepare for the start of ANOTHER DAY, we continue to introduce the playwrights involved. Today it’s the turn of London South Bank University BA (Hons) Creative Writing graduate, Aysha Scott.

Aysha, you have just recently completed your undergraduate degree in Creative Writing – did you always want to be a playwright?

Aysha Scott Another Day Blackfriars headshot playwrightEver since a young age I had the desire to be a writer. In my early writing practice I discovered a love for poetry and later went on to pen two poetry collections Life and Words from a Woman’s Heart. In my early twenties I expanded on my passion for writing and went on to pursue a career in acting; I trained at the Anna Scher Theatre School and was lucky enough to secure varied acting roles in TV/Film and Theatre. Some of the productions included a feature role in Breach webseries, ITV Daybreak Promo, Actimel Danone Campaign, DAARSAT commercial and Oliver Twist theatre production to name a few.

So what was the deciding factor in choosing between writing and performing?

After having my son a few years later and being tired of the typecast and limited roles for black actors I diverted back to my writing career. This time using my knowledge and skills obtained in the industry to become a scriptwriter specialising in hard hitting urban, message-based dramas in TV, Film and Theatre productions.

I met Friend of a Friend during my final year at university. Patrick and Susanna came along to one of our lectures to chat to us about the opportunity to be a part of Another Day and I was delighted when the team welcomed me on board.

ANOTHER DAY is deeply rooted in people’s experiences of SE1 and the area surrounding the Blackfriars Road, tell us about your experiences.

Studying at London South Bank University for three years I regularly commuted to Elephant and Castle. I would often explore the surrounding areas such as South Bank, Blackfriars and Waterloo and visited tourist attractions such as The Shard and London Eye. I found them both to be invigorating experiences and I was able to view the London from a panoramic view. It gave me a new perspective of the vibrant city that we often miss when on our daily travels.

And so what’s next for you?

I have co-wrote and currently producing a short film called RESIDENTIAL, based on the tragic consequences of gangland street life and crime. On completion of Residential I am seeking to produce my feature screenplay ABSENT, based on the psychological effects of absent and single parenting. I am also hoping to secure a working title as a Development Executive to further expand on my professional experience and writing career. Since graduating from university with a 2.1 Honours in Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, I have been awarded the Course Directors’ prize for Creative Writing.

Congratulations, Aysha! That’s a fantastic achievement, and we’re delighted to have you on board.

To keep in touch with Aysha’s work, you can follow her on Twitter: @ayshascott
Or check out her short films on Youtube: www.youtube.con/user/Aysha123

10
Sep

Auditions and Recalls for Another Day

On 24 and 25th September we will continue with the second round of auditions for Another Day. We saw some fantastic actors last month, but due to some difficulties with the Casting Call Pro messaging service, we weren’t able to see everytone that we wanted to. So now there is another opportunity for actors to attend our casting sessions.

 

You can apply and book your audition slot via the CCP listing: http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/job_view.php?uid=234539

 

 
In the meantime, check out this video of some of the greatest actors’ auditions. We love this reminder that everyone starts somewhere. And for performers, that somewhere is usually in the audition room…

14
Jul

Introducing: playwright Lucy Beacon

As part of our BLACKFRIARS STORIES project, we’re working with a hot team of emerging playwrights who will be writing the short plays that will form our Autumn production ANOTHER DAY. We’re keen to introduce the playwrights to you, so we’re kicking off with the delightful Lucy Beacon.

So, Lucy, how did you end up becoming a part of ANOTHER DAY?

I wrote a short play called ‘Rostov’ which was chosen for last Lucy Beacon playwright headshotyear’s Theatre Breaks festival in Camden, and AFOAF was involved in that festival too. I’m interested in the use of pre-recorded spoken word in theatre, and Ice Cream (by Mark Abbey) used some in a particularly inventive way. I got chatting backstage to the director, Patrick, about the audio and how he’d used it to get round a difficult staging issue. He introduced me to the rest of AFOAF, and they were all so lovely that when an opportunity arose for me to work with them, I jumped at the chance!

What have you been up to since then?

Since the Theatre Breaks festival I’ve had a couple of short plays produced. The first was for Lost Theatre’s ‘Five Minute Festival’ in which I had a comedy called ‘The Pudding Club’. It was set in a maternity clinic and featured one man, two women and a whole lot of trouble! I was delighted when it won the judges’ vote for best piece of the evening. I also had a play, ‘Trap Doors’, on at the Bush Theatre’s ‘Ambush’ evening earlier this year. It was a real honour to have my play performed on that stage as it’s the theatre that inspired me to start writing drama.

You’re a busy bee! What is it that inspired you to write in the first place?

I always wanted to write but it took hitting 40 and a mini midlife-crisis to actually get me to sit down and do it. I love theatre and so writing drama was the natural choice for me. I’ve worked in the music industry most of my life and so that’s a passion for me too. Perhaps I could put both of those elements together and write a musical one day!

So what’s your process when you’re working on a new play?

As I’m quite busy, I find it useful to ‘write’ in my head before I put it down on paper. It’s a good way to work as I usually know at least sections of the play before I start. I try to write both the beginning and end of the play before I sit down to type – the middle sections usually happen at the computer. My favourite place to write is on the bus. I love listening to snippets of conversations as people step on and off public transport. There’s something about getting only part of a story that fires the imagination much more than hearing it all.

As you know, ANOTHER DAY is all about life in Blackfriars. We’d love to hear some of your own experiences….

Although I’m not a Southwark resident, I worked in the area briefly and my sister is still based here. I’ve spent a good deal of time in Southwark over the last twenty years and it has always felt like a creative area. As well as going to the more established creative hubs of theatres and galleries, I’ve stumbled across impromptu drama on the streets, and been to innovative music venues. It’s a great place.

I’ve always loved it down by the river in this part of London. The view both upstream and downstream is stunning – especially at night. I love people watchingand the riverside is a perfect place to take a seat and watch the world go by. I’ve really enjoyed researching the historical details of the area as part of Another Day – both the recent history and that of previous centuries.

 

Lucy has written ‘Ribbons’ as part of ANOTHER DAY.

You can follow Lucy on Twitter: @lucybeacon