Synopsis
What would an ideal new writing season look like? West Yorkshire Playhouse's Associate Director - Literary Alex Chisholm is taking this question as a starting point for a New Writing Season which seeks to open up conversations between writers, industry insiders and audiences. A series of showcases, scratch events and forums will facilitate open discussions about the issues that matter when developing and supporting new work. They are designed to explore what it is that writers want; how theatre can take big risks with little money and ways to get more of the biggest, best and boldest plays to the stage. This is a chance for scriptwriters, arts professionals and audiences to be frank and honest about new writing and the work they want to see at the Playhouse. As part of the New Writing Season, the world premiere staging of NAPOLI an unsolicited script sent to the Playhouse will take place in the Courtyard Theatre from 24-26 May. Performed by Flying Cloud Theatre Company, NAPOLI is written and directed by Leandra Ashton. Bea feels that she's never quite fitted into her life in Yorkshire. When her mother drops a bombshell, Bea flees to Italy to fit together the pieces of her family's story and among the washing lines of the Napoli rooftops, the hidden truths of three generations are revealed. A vibrant production mixing theatrical spectacle, music and movement this play was developed with the support of West Yorkshire Playhouse which offered critical feedback on the script and provided the company with a space to develop the show.