Down Stage Write are looking for Devon and Cornwall based writers to submit scripts for their latest production of short plays.

‘I Think I’d Explode’ is an evening of four short plays written in response to the poetry of acclaimed Launceston poet Charles Causley. The project is supported by The Causley Trust and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
These brand new plays will be directed and performed by professionals from the region.
The plays will be performed on the 7th of December at IntoBodmin, at schools and community venues in Cornwall and recorded to be released as audio drama shorts online.
We are asking writers to submit a play. These will be read and shortlisted by our Artistic and Directors team to select the final four. Every play submitted will receive a short paragraph of feedback.

The final selected writers will get to develop the script with the support of our team and then see them performed at the end of the project. We hope to pay a writer fee subject to obtaining Arts Council Funding.

Submission Guidelines:

We are looking for submissions from writers of any level of experience but you must be based in Devon and Cornwall. You must also be available for the show on the 7th of December.

The play must be:
*Written in response to ONE poem by Charles Causley
*10-20 minutes long
*Written for the stage
*For one or two actors to perform
*In a recognised theatre script format
*A complete play and NOT an extract
*Please only one submission per writer

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER 2019

Email to: [email protected]

Who are Down Stage Write?

Down Stage Write are a theatre company dedicated too creating development and production opportunities for playwrights in Devon and Cornwall.
We organise workshops, script surgeries, a script reading service, rehearsed readings and productions.
We have previously produced three short play nights: Power Plays (TheatreUncut), ‘Down Stage Night’ and ‘Astor 100’ (ACE funded) performed at Theatre Royal Plymouth and Exeter Phoenix.

Our aim over the next few years is to develop a pool of talented local playwrights with the end goal of producing and touring full length plays.

If you are a playwright in the region we want to hear from you: [email protected]

Who was Charles Causley?

Charles Causley (CBE, FRSL) was born on 24 August 1917 in Launceston, Cornwall, and spent most of his life there until he died on 4th November 2003. His father died shortly after the 1st World War of a lung condition induced by the conditions under which he served in the trenches. Causley was brought up by his mother to whose care in her later life he devoted himself. He showed early literary interests and talent, reading widely in his teens and writing plays for local production and publication. His first play ‘Runaway’ was published when he was only nineteen.