New Writing: Graduate Rebecca Wants to PLAY

Inspired by working with the NEW season when she was an acting student here at RWCMD, graduate Rebecca Durbin (pictured above with fellow graduate Bertie Taylor-Smith) has created a theatre group championing a new approach to new writing with its emphasis firmly on collaboration.

PLAY brings together the brightest and best emerging young actors, writers and directors to share a space, giving them just two weeks to devise and create four brand new plays.

RWCMD acting graduates Simon Mokhele & Mari Izzard are also part of the PLAY company

As well as Royal Welsh College graduates, the London based theatre company includes talent from The National Theatre, Young Vic and The Globe among others.

Following on from the College’s innovative work with new writing, Rebecca’s aim is to focus on a new approach to writing, giving the next generation of creative talent the time and space to collaborate and experiment. Each month a new company of artists have two weeks together to devise and perform four new plays.

‘In an increasingly challenging environment PLAY wants to support and nurture the next generation of creative talent and make theatre that is fresh and immediate.’

After its sell-out success in 2015, PLAY will be presenting a double bill at Vault Festival in January and February. Over the course of the festival the company will be working with 36 emerging artists to create eight brand new Plays for London’s most exciting and vibrant arts festival.

Graduate Alex Hope performing in PLAY

The season at the Vault Festival will bring together many more RWCMD graduates including stage manager Rachel Hendry, designer Olivia Emmerson Pratt and sound designer Matt Jones.

PLAY 8, which was performed at London’s The Old Red Lion and featured RWCMD graduate Alex Hope, has since been commissioned as a full length play for a run at the Pleasance Theatre.

Read more on the importance of PLAY in Rebecca’s article for A Younger Theatre.

Tickets for PLAY at the Vault Festival can be purchased online from the festival Box Office.