You’ll never guess whose award-winning playwriting has been called “impressive”, “extraordinary”, “amazing” and “incredible”? Amelia Roles in Year 11. And you’ll never guess who said it. Only Carl Woodward, Head of Creative Communities at The Dukes, Lancaster and many of the audience members, including visitors from Lancaster University, who had the privilege to watch Amelia’s original playscript – Spilling the Tea – being performed alongside the senior winners of The Lancaster Playwriting Prize at The Dukes by professional actors in June.
Amelia’s play centres on three women – Janette, Ruth and Kirsty – as they ponder on the news that a police car has been spotted outside of a local house. What starts off as humorously idle gossip soon slips into uncomfortable accusations as the underlying tensions between the three women rise to the surface as they try to solve the mystery of the century: what has happened to Robert Jenkins?
Part of the prize was being able to participate in the rehearsal process. There is something uniquely exhilarating about seeing your work to come to life and it was a genuine privilege to watch Amelia’s reaction to the incredible performance of three actors breathing life into the characters.
The Dukes had set aside their Moor Space facility specifically for the rehearsal. This was first time Amelia had seen her piece on stage as it was intended.
The stage was sparsely decorated: a thin, mint green tapestry rug; a small table holding a single teacup, three chairs and a solitary lamp. Three women and several cups of tea soon filled the gently spot-lit space. We watched, intrigued, as the mystery over the disappearance of Robert Jenkins unfolded and were left stunned when the lights when out on a phone call in which an even more scandalous secret was about to be revealed.
The rehearsal demonstrated a true collaboration of both writing and stagecraft: a shift from the comedic timing of the interaction of the three nosy neighbours to a serious and somewhat sinister tone over the mysterious disappearance of their soon-to-be-rich “friends”. The three actors were able to enhance the humorous elements that made the small audience of the rehearsal laugh out loud – a feat some of our modern comedy writers struggle to do. Truly impressive writing for a student just beginning Year 11.
The three actors, Isobel Coward, Jo Monks and Mia Wilson, were warmly effusive in their post-rehearsal feedback to Amelia. They complimented the realistic dynamics, the sense of history between the characters and the impressively humorous writing style that created a simplistic scene of fully-realised characters. Isobel commented that she “knew the characters had known each other for years” and was itching to get the know their backstory further.
Having an opportunity to discuss her original playscript was an enriching and unique experience for Amelia. As she said: “Amazing.”
Sandwiched in between the fictious assassination of an American President and exploring the hazy events of the night before in Untitled, Amelia’s final performance was the centre piece to an evening of entertainment watched by eager theatre fans, board members of The Dukes and esteemed visitors from Lancaster University (as well as three proud parents including an anxious mother and one exuberant teacher). Whilst the audience was small, the intimacy was vital and enhanced the performance: let’s be honest, a good gossip is best with a small group.
The three winning pieces were very different in content and tone. What set Amelia’s apart was the wit and humour originated in real human observation – we could all see ourselves represented by one of the trio on stage and the familiar language created a sense of comfort and confidentiality we all share with our closest friends. And maybe our frenemies, too.
The feedback at the after- show party was emphatically positive. Whilst I know that Amelia is an incredibly talented writer in our school’s Creative Writing Club, I took a great deal of pride in listening to the insistently overwhelming praise Amelia received from her fellow winners, professional actors and guests from The Dukes and Lancaster University. “Impressive”, “amazing” “extraordinary” and “incredible” were just a few of the complimentary epithets lauded around for a nuanced and confident piece.
A truly remarkable and memorable evening and a genuine privilege to be part of. Well done, Amelia!
Oh, and if you want to know what happened to Robert’s wife, Katherine? Well, let me put the kettle on…
Ms Edgar
Teacher of English
Lancaster Playwriting Prize Winners Announced › The Dukes (dukeslancaster.org)
Photos courtesy of The Dukes