A feast of monologues
Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre has brought back its celebrated monologue series for a week-long festival, writes Jenny White...
CARDIFF’S Sherman Theatre has re-released all the monologues in its popular TEN/DEG series, and will be uploading all 10 short plays for the online FESTIVAL TEN from now until June 12.
Originally launched on May 1, the TEN/DEG series invited Welsh or Wales-based writers to submit a paragraph-long pitch for a one- to five-minute monologue to be hosted on the Sherman Theatre website for one week at a time.
From the more than 80 applications, a line-up of 10 established, emerging and first-time writers was assembled.
Following an open call, a cast of 10 actors, including familiar faces, established actors and emerging talent, self-filmed the plays working with directors Alice Eklund, Samantha Alice Jones and Hannah Noone.
TEN/DEG formed part of Interval/Egwyl, the theatre’s creative programme established in response to lockdown in order to continue providing its audiences with compelling theatre experiences and to support artists and creative freelancers.
Available to stream for free online, the TEN/DEG monologues include No Sleep Till Filton Abbey Wood by Rick Allden with Steffan Rhodri, (Single) Motherhood by Alexandria Riley with Mali Ann Rees, Love (And Loss) In The Time Of Corona by Katie Elin-Salt with Catrin Stewart, and Zip by Alun Saunders with Gillian Elisa.
“Our priorities have always been to provide audiences with exceptional theatre experiences and support and develop Welsh and Walesbased theatre-makers,” said Sherman Theatre artistic director Joe Murphy.
“The Interval programme has ensured that we have continued to do both of these things throughout lockdown.
“TEN/DEG has been an integral feature throughout Interval and we’ve seen an incredible response from audiences.
“I’ve been so impressed by the quality of new writing we’re seeing through the programme, as well as the high standard to which the actors are adapting to the shortform, self-filmed format with the support of our brilliant team of directors.”