Rachel’s play to be read at the National Theatre
RACHEL Lane, a 16-year-old pupil from The Becket School in Nottingham was shortlisted for the National Theatre’s annual playwriting competition for 14 to 19-year-olds, New Views, and will have her play read as part of this year’s festival next month.
Rachel’s play, entitled £39, was one of ten plays shortlisted from over 300 entries nationwide and presented to a panel of judges including National Theatre Senior Dramaturg Nina Steiger, playwright James Graham (This House, Quiz), actor Michael Balogun (currently performing in Rufus Norris’s production of Macbeth at the NT) and National Theatre Connections Dramaturg Ola Animashawun.
This year’s shortlisted plays sensitively explore a broad range of contemporary issues including immigration, sexuality, gender and mental health. Ranging from monologues to multi-media-infused ensemble pieces, each play introduces a fresh, new and exciting voice.
Rachel said: “It would be a lie to say that this has been an easy process, but the challenge of creating a piece that I find resonates with the society in which we live has helped me grow as a writer in ways I could never imagine. This programme has not only inspired me to push beyond the surface but to do so in a way that explores my own style of writing and of course, embraces the process of learning along the way.”
The winning play in this year’s New Views programme and competition is by Alice Schofield from CAPA College in Wakefield. Her play will be given a full production at the National Theatre alongside rehearsed readings of nine other shortlisted plays, all of which will be performed by professional actors.
James Graham, playwright and judge on this year’s panel, said: “There are so many challenges facing young people’s access to the arts right now, so thank God something like NT’s New Views exists. Its encouragement and mentoring of school age students to have the confidence to write a play is so important. I was taken aback by the talent and imagination, it was such a privilege to read a selection of them.”
Students taking part in New Views have had the opportunity to learn about playwriting from some of the finest writers in the industry. They are encouraged to write 30-minute plays about issues that they feel passionate about. Students follow an online course written by playwright Jemma Kennedy, with contributions from celebrated playwrights including Simon Stephens, Alecky Blythe and Roy Williams.
They participate in in-school workshops with professional writers, as well as seeing NT Live broadcasts or productions at the NT, Continuing Professional Development for teachers and support from the National Theatre Learning Department.
This year the National Theatre has been working with over 65 schools nationwide as well as in a London Hub and a Partner Theatre programme at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Performances of If We Were Older by Alice Schofield will take place on Wednesday July 11, Thursday and Friday July 13 at 5.30pm in the Dorfman Theatre.
Rehearsed readings of nine shortlisted plays will take place on Thursday July 12 and Friday July 13 at 11.30am and 2pm in the Dorfman Theatre.
The reading of Rachel Lane’s play, £39, takes place on Thursday July 12 at 11.30am.
To book tickets, visit www. nationaltheatre.org.uk