Want to get involved in an exciting new writing project and create some theatre for and about the North Pennines, which celebrates the unique landscape and industrial heritage of this beautiful part of the world?
My name is Jo Rendall and I moved to Stanhope just over a year ago with my husband and fellow writer, Graeme. I am a former drama teacher and have been having fun doing amateur and community theatre for more years than I care to remember. I’m actively involved at Gateshead Little Theatre and still make the journey there several times most weeks.
It struck me that the long history of lead mining in the North Pennines and the lives of the men and women who made up those tough Dales’ communities would be a great subject for a play written collaboratively by a group of writers. I contacted Chris at Northpens to see what she thought of this idea, and she kindly invited me along to a session. From that North Pennines Playwrights was born, a new writing group which is supported by Northpens and the Weardale Wordfest.
Anyone is welcome to get involved in the group, not just members of Northpens. It doesn’t matter if you live in this area or on the other side of the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced writer (of any genre) or if you haven’t picked up your pen to write a story since your school days. All I am asking for is your enthusiasm, love of stories and a desire to work with others to create a brilliant piece of theatre that we will all one day be proudly able to see being performed in the North Pennines. It would also be brilliant to get people with an in-depth knowledge of local history and lead mining involved in this project.
I am really thrilled that this year’s Wordfest workshop programme includes An Introduction to Playwriting, led by Barnard Castle based professional playwright, Christina Castling. The workshop is free and will be held in a yurt at the Killhope Mining Museum on Saturday 14 October. Book your place through the Wordfest website.
Want to find out more?
Join our Facebook group: North Pennines Playwrights
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1325474841714894/
for updates, writing tasks and details of face-to-face and virtual writing sessions to come along to.
Email: northpenninesplaywrights@gmail.com
Looking forward to creating some drama with you!
Jo