P L A Y S T A R T
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
All Photography: Mark Weinman
As part of The Mono Box’s commitment to supporting emerging theatre talent we are proud to announce PLAYSTART, our new writing initiative, for the third year.
After last year’s successes, where all the plays were published in a collection from Oberon Books and most saw a further life at venues, The Mono Box joins forces with Hampstead Theatre to offer an exciting new writing showcase on a professional stage.
PLAYSTART 2019 will offer four emerging writers and directors a platform to complete a 15-minute play, with the support and mentorship of a professional playwright. Each writer will be paired with a director and together these partnerships will receive free rehearsal space, facilities to cast actors, a producer and feedback from industry professionals to help them realise their work. This mentorship culminates in two performances in November at Hampstead Theatre where The Mono Box is an Associate Company.
KIRAN BENAWRA
WRITER
It’s great to be involved in a new writing showcase that gives the writer an opportunity to be involved in the staging of their own play. I’m excited to work with the directors and mentors. I was first made aware of Monobox after attending one of their free Play Browsing sessions, and I think they do great work in making sure everyone has access to the theatre industry.”
SIBYLLA KALID
DIRECTOR
"I'd love for there to be more opportunity for artists to develop their skills before having to be ‘industry-ready"
THE PLAYSTART 8
MAATIN PATEL
WRITER
"I’m so excited to be a part of PLAYSTART 2019. As a first-time playwright, this is a huge opportunity for me to experience the amazing mentorship and stewardship The Mono Box offers to bring a bold, different story to life."
EBE BAMGBOYE
DIRECTOR
"This will be an invaluable opportunity to partner with a talented writer to realise a piece of theatre in a supportive and well-resourced environment."
GRACE TARR
WRITER
‘I am so grateful to be one of this years writers and can’t wait to start bringing ‘When the Leave Fall’ to life.’
EVANGELINE CULLINGWORTH
DIRECTOR
“The Mono Box provides practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges in the theatre industry.”
VIVIAN XIE
WRITER
“It’s great to be involved in a new writing showcase that gives the writer an opportunity to be involved in the staging of their own play. I’m excited to work with the directors and mentors. I was first made aware of The Mono Box after attending one of their free Play Browsing sessions, and I think they do great work in making sure everyone has access to the theatre industry.”
ADRIAN TANG
DIRECTOR
"I am looking forward to forming long-lasting working relationships with upcoming and established writers, directors and producers through PLAYSTART. It's important that the diverse backgrounds of the capital are represented and I am striving to make that happen."