Northcott Theatre supports emerging South-West playwrights

Exeter’s Northcott Theatre is really pushing the boat out with its commitment to support South-West artists in taking their next steps. I spoke to Sam Parker, himself a Devon-born playwright of note, who is helming the Northcott’s vibrant new artist development programme, ‘Elevate’.

“There’s a lack of stories from this part of the world,” says Sam. “There are just too few opportunities for writers to develop their craft. We're really interested in our arts development, and want to provide ways to support artists from all backgrounds and at all levels of experience, from those just starting out to those on the cusp of producing high quality shows. It’s about creating a new writing infrastructure for the South-West.”

In October, the Northcott presents ‘Elevate’, a week-long festival at the Barnfield Theatre to celebrate South-West artists. “The whole festival will be free for artists to register,” enthuses Sam. “Membership benefits include cheaper tickets, discounts in the café, free rehearsal space, free masterclasses, newly commissioned short plays by local writers, a musical scratch event, artist socials. There’ll be a resident company joining us, Squeezebox. They’re really brilliant, and they’ll develop work to share at the end of the festival to an invited audience.”

The Elevate programme also includes an annual competition for emerging playwrights. South-West writers are invited to submit a full length play script. “We’ll read them all,” Sam promises. “Then we’ll select some for development, adapting the scheme to the writers involved. We want a nimble, flexible programme with bespoke agreements depending on need. This work has already subtly started - two brilliant writers are in the Northcott this week, Hattie Collins and Ali May. They're working on two separate plays, and we chose them from over seventy submissions.”

Making a living from the arts is gruelling and arduous. A recent report published in Arts Professional magazine on artists’ pay in the UK revealed that the overall median rate for artists is just £2.60 per hour. Support such as the Northcott’s Elevate scheme represents a lifeline in this stark picture.

“People benefit from sustained support,” concludes Sam. “We want to bring back associate artists. The really exciting thing is rooted in the idea of exchange. What can we learn about our building, the Northcott? How can we make it a more buzzy place to be. It's an ongoing process.”

Elevate Competition for Playwrights

Submission window: Wednesday 7th August to Sunday 25th August. exeternorthcott.co.uk

Elevate Festival

Monday 14th - Saturday 19th October, Barnfield Theatre