Chain Play 2003
Seven writers submitted initial scripts for the Chain Play project (details below). Each script was inspired by a particular weather condition selected at random. On the basis of these calling card scripts writers were then allocated to one of 3 groups and given a dramaturg (Martin Drury, Kate Shaw and Lance Woodman). New themes and storylines were then negotiated between writers and their dramaturg.
At the June 14 meeting all 3 strands where read by the whole group. Each of the plays was very different. There was a discussion about selecting work from the project to be presented at Worcestershire County Council's Skills On Show event. Because of practical limitations (time and actor availability) it was decided to present only one of the strands ('On a Knife Edge' by Georgina Macbeth and Anne Bucknall).
The decision to present only one play was no reflection on the quality of the other scripts. Congratulations to Meg Hughes, Sheila Campbell, Jean Davies, Tom Bryson and Rachel Sambrooks for producing entertaining and intelligent plays collaboratively.
July 12 and 13 - The Skills On Show event at County Hall, Worcester. The Swan Playwrights had a stand and there was a script-in-hand performances of Georgina and Anne's new thriller - On a Knife Edge - in The Council Chamber on both days. The play held the audiences who stayed to watch in what was designed to be a pop-in and pop-out venue. With its strong genre base and straightforward storytelling, it seemed to be a good choice for middle-aged and older audiences without alienating younger people.
The cast for the performance was Coll Mealing, Val Harrison, David Keyworth and Georgina Macbeth. The director was Martin Drury.
What is a chain play, then? Basically it's some variation of write a scene then pass it on to someone new who takes it forward in some way before passing it on to someone else further down the chain until the thing is complete.
The advantages of this are that the group develops its collaborative skills in different ways; there are opportunities for folk to work with buddies/change buddies/come on board with the buddying system; members can work on an identifiable section of a play which can be located as theirs; there is some protection against sabotage/silliness; induction of new members; exercise for writing muscle; fun and contact with friends and like-minded people.