The Off Cut Festival is a showcase for new and undiscovered playwriting, directing and acting talent, with an emphasis on keeping the audience at the heart of the theatre experience.

It was created in 2009 by Trudi Boatwright and Daniel Brennan (artistic directors of In Company Theatre), with the first festival being held at The Old Red Lion Theatre in Angel, London. Twenty-eight short plays (24 in 2009 and 2010) run in four groups, with audience members voting for their favourite plays. The two plays in each group with the most votes go through to a final week, where the audience continues to vote until an ultimate winner is found. A panel of industry professionals attend the final night handing out awards for Writing, Directing and Ensemble Acting.

The festival was relaunched in Manchester in 2019 at the theatre 53two and returned in 2023.[1]

Off Cut 2009

The first festival was held at The Old Red Lion Theatre in Angel, London from 29 September to 18 October. The panel was headed by Moira Buffini, and included playwrights Josephine Melville and Robert Rigby, directors Psyche Stott and Nigel Douglas, producer Andrew Robb; literary agent Anna Brewer; playwright and actor Andrew Neil and Old Red Lion Artistic directors, Helen and Damien Devine.

One hundred and ninety-six plays were submitted from all over the world.

Group One

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Welcome to Quiz NightJohn MoorhouseTobias TobbelJames Clossick
The Teacher Who Loved MeChantelle DusettePaul BlinkhornEmily Holden, Daniel Wiltshire
This Just InDarren MurphyDarren MurphyDenise Stephenson, Tim LewisFinalist - Winner Panel Award for Ensemble Acting
The Curse of Elizabeth FaulknerTim DownieAnthony ColeridgeFinalist - This play has toured extensively and had an extended run at New Players Theatre in the autumn of 2013
BugabooChristine RobertsMichael MillerChristine Edwards, Peter Mann,
SingersLouise GoodingJanet PalmerNicholas Agnew, Ed Cooper Clarke, Stacey Evans

Group Two

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Juicy CherryTracy WhitwellJoss BennathanBen Mars (as Ben Enright), Tracy WhitwellFinalist
Fish and Chips TwiceFiona Keen, Andy PandiniAdam MorleyGemma Seren, Christopher Tajah
Mr Jolly Lives Next DoorMichael StewartDaniel BrennanJack KellyWhen original director became indisposed, Daniel Brennan took over at the last minute. He was not eligible for any award
No IdeaTom EllenJuliane von SiversMatt Jamie, Mark ParsonsFinalist -

Panel Award for Directing

MomentumCraig BurrowsLawrence CarmichaelKerry Wootten,
Lights OutJeff NolanStephen GloverRichard Kowold, Erica Thomas-Lowe

Group Three

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Stone CrossingMark HomerJayne DennyThomas Coombes, Edward Law, Elizabeth WebsterFinalist
The Perfect GirlØystein Ulsberg BragerJohn WardMark Conway
The Hindsight SagaStuart PatersonJemma GrossJohn Last, Steven Rostance,Finalist
Something Came OutNicholas Pierpan
Spud and MooseAnneka HarryLeanne Davis
Human by DefaultDavid Andrew GreggLouisa Fitzgerald

Group Four

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
The GameJulie BowerSophie LifschutzSharon Andrew, James Marsh
BodyguardPeter DrakeOscar ToemanMaxine Howard
Closer to GodAnna JordanAnna JordanPeter Gordon, Ursula EarlyFinalist -

Panel Award for Writing; Audience Award for Best Play

The Intricate Workings of a Sherbet LemonStuart LeeKamaal HussianPeter Mann, Liv Spencer
A WakeJulia St. JohnJulia St JohnJoy Blakeman, Peter McEnery,
Like It Never HappenedBea ApplebyKate McGregorDebra Baker, Graham SterlingFinalist

Off Cut 2010

After the unprecedented success of the first festival, it was quickly decided by all parties that a second event would run at the same venue from 21 September to 10 October. The same panel (though this time without Andrew Neil) was joined by actor Patricia Hodge, literary agent Lisa Babalis and playwright Tena Štivičić.

The Artistic Directors were joined by Nick Kneller as Producer.

This was the only year that the Off Cut producers selected a 'wild card' entry for the finals.

All actors would now be cast in collaboration with the Off Cut company, as opposed to writers and/or directors finding their own.

Four hundred and thirty-six plays were received, with writers from around the world able to submit up to four plays.

Group One

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
BallsMark WithersAsia OsborneVictoria Daniels, Gabriella Schmidt
The Summer DisplaySheri GraubertKatie Lewis
TrueEwan JeffreyChris O'DonnellLee Drage
The Nth DegreeBernie ShevlinKay MichaelKarina Sugden, Charlotte SutherlandShortlisted for Wild Card
Room With A DoorAlexis BoddyTom LatterBrigid Lohrey, Robert MasonFinalist
I Love ParisRichard FichettJanet PalmerNicholas Agnew, Mark ConwayFinalist

Group Two

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Hetherington's BoxJonathan BrownHelen TennisonFreddie Machin, Panni Skrivanos, Graham Sterling,Shortlisted for Wild Card
Mad Mary Dancin'Doc Anderson-BloomfieldAnna OstergrenSarah Flower, Tracey Kearney
Sweet Engineering of the Lucid MindMitch FéralAlison ConveyDebra Baker, Simon NicholasFinalist - Panel Award for Writing, Panel Award for Directing
I Just CalledTanja MariadossLuisa HinchliffKate WalshFinalist - Panel Award for Ensemble Acting (even though this was a one-woman play)
ShrinkSadie FrostJuliane von SiversChandrika Chevli, Kate Russell-Smith
Plenty of Fish in the SeaLuke SmithHelen BroughtonAndrew Glen,

Group Three

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Lactose IntolerableLola StephensonChristopher LoscherHelen Clapp, Michael Norledge, Chloë ThorpeShortlisted for Wild Card
HomeMihaela NicolescuKate McCarthyAdam Smethurst, Jennifer Tan
On a Day Like ThisJohn TurleyMark PollardAiden McCarthyFinalist - Audience Award for Best Play
The Limestone EpochKaty BrooksbankEero SuojanenErica Thomas-Lowe,
2... 8... 13...Jon PetherbridgeDawn Kalani Cowle
Mexico WayTracy WhitwellTracy WhitwellOlivia Caffrey, Don Gilet, Matt JamieFinalist

Group Four

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
If I Were YouSophie AldersonCharlie HennikerPriscilla Gray, Karl Niklas,
The InspirationVirginia HaydenMartin HackettJennie LathanFinalist
Falling ApartJulia BoldenGemma KerrRichard Fish, Joanna Waters
Pimp My BabyLouise GoodingMichael MillerJoanna Clancy, Stanley Eldridge, Polly Hughes, Duncan Pearse
The TrunkMike CarterScott le CrassStephen Brannan, Will McGeoughFinalist - Wild Card. A full-length version of this play will run at The Space (Theatre) in 2014
Rise and ShineJoseph MurrayGilli FoleyHarry Lobek, Naomi ReynoldsFinalist

Off Cut 2011

After another enormously successful run, it was decided that the festival needed to move to a bigger venue. The Riverside Studios - Studio Three would be Off Cut's new home and the festival ran from 27 September to 16 October. The panel, still headed by Moira Buffini, included casting director Jo Buckingham and Rob Drummer of HighTide.

A record 722 plays were submitted for consideration.

As in previous years, 24 plays were chosen by Off Cut's reading panel. A further eight were put to a panel of theatre bloggers, who chose four to go through to the festival. The bloggers were Scott Matthewman, Ian Foster of Ought to be Clowns, video blogger Alison Child, Luke Murphy of Twespians and Havana Wellings-Longmore of Talawa Theatre Company.

To further advocate the spirit of collaboration, from this year no writer was allowed to direct their own work.

Trudi Boatwright moved back to Australia, where she is still involved in Off Cut and runs a pared-down version in Melbourne.

In Company Theatre was closed down and The Off Cut Festival became a company in its own right.

Group One

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
A Date With DorisJilly GardnerSandra MaturanaSibéal McGuinne, Zak Rowlands
The PoetAlan FieldenJames O'DonnellScott Ainslie, Mark Moore
Granted...Lauren SpringKenneth O'TooleVictoria Allies, Stephen Fawkes
They F*** You Up, You're Mum and DadMichael O'HanlanLuisa HinchliffLorayne Constance, David Forest, Kathy TrevelyanBloggers' Choice

Finalist

The Wrong TreeWally SewellBrigid LohreyRichard Fish, Denise Stephenson, Nathan ThompsonFinalist - Panel Award for Directing
A Million ThingsTracy HarrisNick BorsackEleanor Barr, Ceri Murphy, Martin Pratt
The ViewingRoss HowardTim LeeKarsten Huttenhain, Joanne Entwistle, Stephen Kelly, Duncan Pearse

Group Two

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
All Men AreRosalind AdlerLaura VorwergRobert Lyon, Philip Mansfield, Tabitha Money, Kate Russell-Smith
BoundRebecca A FieldingFrancesca CamozziJohn Bulleid, Luanna PriestmanFinalist - Panel Award for Writing
MEATNeil BebberAmy SimpsonDavid Maybrick, Sharon YoungDue to the indisposition of Sharon Young, the director replaced her for one performance.
SkycladAlex EverardTanith LindonLauren Baxter, Edward Mitchell
PercolateTom StentonLavinia HollandsSusan McGoun, David Meyer
Two RingsLouise TaylorMichael WildingNatalie Bromley, Ellie Dickens, Barry WilsonBloggers' Choice

Finalist

Wet DogÖsp ViggósdóttirMartin HackettJoanna Greaves, Karl Niklas, Victoria Waddington

Group Three

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
The Final Days of Fringe TheatreIan TownsendSharon WillemsMary Benn, Freddie Machin, Kate A WalshBloggers' Choice
Memories of LossHannah Williams WaltonAli Anderson-DyerJoseph Adelakun, Elisha Myton, Rachael Seaton, Tessa Wood
Not to BeJake LeonardSian ThomasLaura Glover
Alternative TherapyBeatrice ArmstrongDawn Kalani-CowleDaniel Hallissey, Ewa Jenson (as Ewa Jaworski), Erica Thomas-LoweFinalist
The Dictator's FaceAfsaneh GrayTom McLarenTobias Deacon, Funmi Ogunleye, Chetan Pathak
SpringGeorgina BurnsGbemisola IkumeloSimon Nicholas, Jennifer Tan
Looking for ViMark WrightJulia St. JohnJoy Blakeman, Peter Clements, Maroussia FrankFinalist - Panel Award for Ensemble Acting. Recently turned into a film featuring Josie Lawrence

Group Four

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Low Prices You Can TasteMichael RossAbbie LucasFfion Jolly, Chris Urch
ClickMike CarterJusten BennettSara Bahadori, Joe Browder, Stephanie Toghill, Ryan WitchertBloggers' Choice
Quid Pro QuoSandra HaleMax PappenheimPeter Henderson, Jennifer Munby
SkunkErasmus MurikamiWilliam GlennEmily Holden, Viana Maya, Charlotte Slater Following injury at dress rehearsal, this play was never performed
The CraftAndrew BissLydia ParkerDan March, Tracey Anne WoodFinalist
Basement FlatSteven RostanceScott Le CrassRichard Jackson, Lainey Shaw
Let There BeTanja MariodossKate BannisterJoanna Eliot, John Hoye, Hannah Wood Finalist - Audience Award for Best Play

Off Cut 2012

The festival remained at Riverside for 2012, moving into the much larger Studio Two. It ran from 25 September until 13 October. The panel was again headed by Moira Buffini, and included actor (and former Off Cut participant), Julia St. John and Matthew Poxon of The National Theatre Studio.

The number of plays writers were allowed to submit was reduced from four to two, and only UK-based playwrights were eligible or consideration. Nevertheless, 396 plays were received.

The Bloggers' Choice panel was made up of Ian Foster, Alison Child and Scott Matthewman.

This year, audience members were also able to vote online for their favourite actors (male and female), playwright and director.

Group One

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
IEDRosalind AdlerPauline FlanneryDaniel Hallissey, Elaine Harry, Polly Hughes
Waiting for DoggoGary DooleyJanet PalmerRaphael Bar, Elvina MuschettBloggers' Choice
Sun-eyed GirlJulie MayhewGilli FoleyJennie BarbrookFinalist - Winner Audience Award for Favourite Female Actor
The Big AskJoseph WildeClaire LindsayDavid Hemsted, Adam LoxleyFinalist
Bus Station BluesZainab Hasan and Jessica RaphaelGeri SpicerAmma Boateng, Kate Wyler
PersonnelHugo PlowdenEmma BurfordMatt Houlihan, Philip Nightingale, Michael Norledge, Linda Taimre
In My Mind I'm Going to CarolinaGina HillsAmy MulhollandRichard Jackson, Ewa Jensen (Ewa Jaworski), Kathy Trevelyan

Group Two

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
ChapsRupert LaightBernie ByrnesTommie Grabiec, Ross McNamara, Demetri Turin
DrivenAdam UdsenChris CarrAndy SnowballWinner Audience Award for Favourite Male Actor
FuturesWilliam PattersonCat RobeyWilliam McGeough, Stephen SobalFinalist
Buzz KillAnnabel WigoderSheryl HillLauren Baxter, Antonia Reid
A Muse of FireWally SewellHannah BanisterFreddie Hutchins, Elizabeth Menabney
BoardsCharlie PlattRachel IllingworthRachael Hilton, Rachel Packford, Peter RoganBloggers' Choice
Nice SallyJoe LidsterJessica RadcliffeWendy Albiston, Stephen Kelly, Simon Kent, Asta ParryFinalist - Winner Panel Award for Directing. Audience Award for Favourite Playwright

Group Three

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Leaves on the LineJohn HastingsEllen CarrChantelle Dusette, Barry Wilson
Kicking and ScreamingNeil IrvineAmanda CastroEmma Fenney, Tom Graysham, Tom WhitelockBloggers' Choice
In a BoxTom CollinsonJonathon CarrJane Dodd, Stephen Fawkes, Amalia VitaleFinalist - Winner Panel Awards for Playwriting and Ensemble Acting. Audience Award for Favourite Play
By the Weird FountainThomas WillshireTom BaileyAlice Bell, Ben de Halpert, Arwen Prosser, Peter Revel-Walsh
A Mile and a Half on a BusIan SkeltonAlison TrowerSakina Ballard, Ellie DickensFinalist
CareBryher ArmstrongElf LyonsMaya ThomasWinner Audience Award for Favourite Director
Armed Forces DayMichael RossPing Ng ChoonJohn Hoye, Darrie Gardner, Zara Radford, James Unsworth

Group Four

PlayWriterDirectorCastNotes
Cheaper Seats Clap Your HandsWill HowellsStanley WaltonTom Blyth, Richard Fish, Lainey Shaw
Mud: The Urban Adventures of a Country BoyNick MylesManolis EmmanouelMark ParsonsFinalist
The Death of a MimeKieran LynnAnna BatesAlexandra Agnew, Claude Girardi, Igor Medeiros, Francesca Reid
White Meat, Dark Meat, Breast or Thigh?Tolula DadaLauren BracewellRoger Carvahlo, Daniel Francis-Swaby, Karina Knapinska, Lelo Majozi
The StrangerJeff NolanAilin ConantLeon Annor, Samuel Dent, Thom MitchellFinalist
NILFMaya SondhiSophie MoniramChandrika Chevli, Laura HannahBloggers' Choice
Neil Diamond Saved My LifeSylvia DowJennifer TangLisa Doran, Terry Jermyn

Off Cut 2013

Giving time for further development and restructuring of the festival, it was decided to scale down production for 2013. Therefore, a much smaller project was devised in conjunction with Theatre 503 in Battersea. Writers were asked to submit plays between 30 and 45 minutes in length, with a view to their working closely with actors and directors, as well as with 503 dramaturg, Graeme Thompson and Off Cut's Artistic Director, Daniel Brennan to develop their plays in rehearsal. Two plays were chosen to run in a double-bill at Theatre 503 from 12 to 17 August.

No prizes were awarded, either by an panel or the audience.

Off Cut Roots

PlayWriterDirectorCast
Sophie in WonderlandE. MoffettLuisa HinchliffSamantha Béart, Elaine Harry
More Dead GirlsTroodie MootzJessica RadcliffeTom Blyth, Alice Brown, Ewa Jensen, Charlotte Sutherland

References

  1. "Offcut history". Retrieved 10 November 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.