What happens?

One of the UK’s most successful platforms for undiscovered writing, acting and directing talent found a new home in at 53two in January 2019. Prior to this, the Off Cut Festival had been one of London’s biggest springboards for many new careers and working relationships, all born in the spirit of collaboration, camaraderie and friendly competition. And always with an emphasis on audience engagement. After all, everything we do is all for your delight.

What happens?

 

Writers

Over the next few weeks, writers - from or based in the North West of England - can submit a 15-minute version or 15-minute extract from a full length play (80-90 mins). Sixteen will be selected by our team of readers to be part of the Festival.

 

Four more plays will be developed as part of our mentoring programme.

 

Mentored Writers

We are looking for four people from a disenfranchised, underserved or disadvantaged background, who have never written before, but who have a story they want to share. 

Selected participants will be mentored by established writers and guided on the writing of their 15-minute submission. Off Cut and 53two are particularly keen to platform important,  unheard stories based on lived experiences, but all ideas will be considered.

 

For more information on how to apply for either, click the links below. 

 

These 20 brand new short plays from writers around the North West will be rehearsed by Manchester’s finest up-and-coming directors and actors, ready for performance. 

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They will be shown in four groups of five plays:

 

Group One - 25th and 27th July

Group Two - 26th and 28th July

Group Three - 1st and 3rd August

Group Four - 2nd and 4th August

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The audience will then be asked to vote for their favourite plays. The play with the most votes from each group, along with the play with most runner-up votes across all four groups will go through to be performed again at the final on Saturday 5th August. Here, a panel of industry professionals will be awarding prizes alongside the Audience Awards.

 

Each of these plays will be in the running for these awards: 

The Audience Award for Favourite Play 

The Audience Award for Favorite Performance

The Panel Award for Writing

The Panel Award for Directing 

The Panel Award for Ensemble Acting.

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The writer, cast and director of the Audience Award for Favourite Play will be invited to develop the piece, with the support of 53two, into a fully-staged production in their theatre.

 

All participants will be working on a voluntary basis and all proceeds from the event will go directly back into the 53two charity to help them continue their work supporting new talent, new ideas, new creatives and their outreach work across Greater Manchester and Manchester Hospital School.