60-Second Plays by Hare, Godber, Norris, McAndrew and Firth Come to Life in SIXTY BY SIXTY at SJT, Oct 31

David Hare, John Godber, Deborah McAndrew, Tim Firth, Barney Norris and Vanessa Brooks are just some of the playwrights whose 60-second plays will be brought to life in a special performance at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Written especially for the theatre's 60th anniversary year, SIXTY BY SIXTY is a collection of 60 sixty-second plays comprising 20 plays by established writers, 20 by emerging writers and 20 by community writers.

SIXTY BY SIXTY has been compiled, edited and directed by SJT Artistic Director Chris Monks. Originally recorded as audio plays, available to listen to online at www.sjt.uk.com/theatre/sixtybysixty-live featuring an introduction by Alan Ayckbourn, the full play cycle will now be performed live on Saturday 31 October.

Chris Monks will be giving an introduction and insight into SIXTY BY SIXTY Live which will also feature music by the Stephen Joseph Theatre Youth Choir and culminates in a Q&A session.

Artistic Director Chris Monks said: "SIXTY BY SIXTY is a multi-faceted gem, a bequest of drama donated by professional and non-professional playwrights, to celebrate the SJT's new writing legacy and to raise funds to ensure the continuing development of new theatre voices."

Fiona Evans, Jane Thornton, Nick Warburton, Andrew Pollard and David Wood are among the well-known playwrights while Claudine Toutoungi, Isabel Wright and Kate Brower whose plays premiered at the SJT last year feature from the emerging writers.

In total, there are 29 works by female writers and 31 by males, however these will not be individually attributed to their author and established playwrights will see their work performed alongside community writers of all ages and professions including a retired joiner, librarian, teaching assistant, retired chief inspector and two schoolgirls.

The plays were originally recorded on location and are themed as The Library Plays, The School Plays and The Cinema Plays to reflect the company's previous homes at Scarborough Library and Westwood Campus and its current venue in a former Odeon cinema building.

SIXTY BY SIXTY Live has been established with the help of writers, professional and community actors and recording artists who have given their time freely to contribute to the theatre's 60th anniversary fundraising campaign in support of new work. Money raised from the live performance and website donations will also go towards the appeal.

SIXTY BY SIXTY Live can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre on 31 October at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced from £10 to 12.50, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com.

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