News item, 17th April 2008: 10x10 (10 plays by 10 authors)

Author Margaret Histed, congratulates Brian Woodruff and the girls from the Youth Theatre who played his granddaughters.

The 10 minute dramas directed and acted by Chesil members were written by aspiring playwrights who had met at Southampton's Nuffield for 39 sessions over two years to develop their skills.

'With John Burgess, our tutor, we learnt many different techniques', said Laura FitzGerald 'They included characterisation, manipulating time and synaesthesia - appealing to and mixing the senses.'

'In the fortnightly class we wrote, read our work aloud and studied many texts,' said Jonathan Edgington, who is also a member of the Chesil.

He suggested that it would be good for the plays to be performed.  The Chesil undertook the organisation of 10 directors, 32 actors and six crew. The directors read the plays some weeks ago but the actors had the scripts for just a fortnight to learn words followed by two days of rehearsal. A full lighting and sound plot was prepared and the stage manager arranged the quick set changes.

'This is a fantastic place and society,' said writer Steve Menary. 'They have given everyone the opportunity to see our plays with actors speaking our lines that they've rehearsed not once, but twice.'

The capacity audiences saw a varied programme of drama: some edged with menace, others of domestic upheaval, sexual infidelity, comedies of manners and a delirious dream in which only the first syllable of some of Shakespeare's lines are spoken.

Youngsters from the society's Youth Theatre acted alongside distinguished members such as Brian Woodruff who has been performing at the Chesil for over 40 years. Margaret Histed, said of their interpretation of her play about the relationship between generations: 'My ordinary little words took on a life of their own thanks to the high standard of the acting. It was a privilege to be here.'

Chairman of the Chesil, Deborah Edgington, said: 'We are proud to have had this unique opportunity to provide a platform for local writers to showcase their work. The whole experience has been exhilarating and enjoyable for everyone involved'.

The plays and authors were as follows

Fairground Attraction - Laura FitzGerald
Fruitless - Susanna Mantle
I Ain't Done Nothing - Steve Menary
On the Outside - Sarah Reilly
Reading by Firelight - Margaret Histed
Saddle Sores - Dian Donovan
Theatres - David Dunn
When Stars Come Out at Night - Mike Plumbley
Mirage 2 - Jonathan Edgington
A Late Goodbye? - Paul Chadwick

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