Writers take to the stage (From Stroud News and Journal)

Writers take to the stage

TWENTY of Gloucestershire's best new writers are celebrating after finding out their work will be put in the spotlight in a unique production at the Cheltenham Everyman.

They're all winners of a competition that was run in partnership with Bristol's Show of Strength Theatre Company, which was open to anyone with a Gloucestershire postcode and an untapped writing talent.

Four of the winners are from the Stroud District: Bernie Bennett from Horsley, John Leng from Leonard Stanley, Jenny Wicks from Randwick and Annie Franklin from Nailsworth.

"The brief was intentionally very straightforward to encourage as many people as possible to have a go," said the Everyman's Artistic Director Sue Colverd.

"Entries had to be a monologue, which was no longer than five minutes, on the theme of 'waiting' and it has inspired some fantastic pieces of work."

Waiting, the production resulting from the winners' piece of work, will be performed in the Everyman's Other Space Theatre from Wednesday, March 22 to Saturday, March 25.

Tickets cost £7.50 and are available from the box office.

*Annie Franklin, one of the winners, is looking for groups of writers in the area.

"I have been trying to find a local writing group but can't," she said. "Can anyone help me find a group of other writers round here? I know they're here somewhere, but they're hard to find in groups."

Anyone with information should contact her via email at annie.franklin@virgin.net