Sydney Theatre Company's 31st Rough Draft MARTYRS Set for July

Sydney Theatre Company's 31st Rough Draft, Martyrs, culminates in a free, one-off showing on Friday 8 July at 6.30pm in Wharf 2.

During a week-long creative development, playwright Fregmonto Stokes will work with STC's 2015 Richard Wherrett Fellow, director Paige Rattray (Power Plays), to devise and begin to sketch characters and scenes that will form the foundations of his play, Martyrs.

Martyrs is inspired by the young Australians who have gone to fight in the Syrian civil war. The Australian government's current policy is to criminalise Australians fighting on any side in the conflict, while those who do go to fight can be arrested and charged when they return home. Martyrs will explore why young people are galvanised to get involved in this struggle, and the sometimes tragic implications of this idealism.

STC's Rough Drafts support the development of new works by providing artists with opportunities to experiment and grow new ideas. Writers and directors are given access to rehearsal space, a team of actors and creatives and dramaturgical support. They may use the week and resources to embark on something currently unscripted or they might choose to develop a script that is already complete in draft form.

Stokes, Rattray and their team of actors will present the results of their week-long Rough Draft process in a free public showing on Friday 8 July at 6.30pm in Wharf 2.