New writing award for International theatre festival

The award, which will recognize writers, was originally conceived by adjudicators of the 2006 festival. An exciting addition to LITF 2008, this new award will honour playwrights as valued creative collaborators, granting them the same prestige as actors and directors.

To be considered for Best Original Script, participating companies must submit scripts in advance, in English, to LITF 2008. Applicants must also verify that their company produced the first staged version of the script. This does not mean that the first viewing of the play will take place at LITF 2008, but that the applicant company “originated” the play. Chris Heide, Artistic Director, LITF 2008, anticipates significant competition for the inaugural Best Original Script award.

“Fully half of the companies invited to LITF 2008 should be in competition for the first LITF Best Original Script Award,” explained Heide. “As a playwright myself, I am ecstatic that so many companies will offer plays that they developed from inception.”

The Blackwood Little Theatre, Wales, serves as an excellent example of an original company working closely with a local author. Blackwood will present Vic Mills’ “Fancying Sheep” at LITF 2008. For the past four years, Blackwood has presented a play by Wales playwright Mills at the Gwent Festival, reaching the Wales final each time.

“Fancying Sheep” was a finalist in 2007, winning the distinguished ‘Crawshay Cup’ for best new writing. The comedy tells the story of one man's obsession to become a deacon and what happens when a 'big preacher' visits and enters the lives of the Griffiths’ family. Established in 1929, the Blackwood Little Theatre produces at least four plays and a pantomime each year in addition to hosting productions from touring and local groups.

The Red Rock Theatre Company of Wolfville will present another Best Original Script contender, “The Loner” by Dean Taylor. Red Rock is a product of the collaborative efforts of playwright Taylor and director Toni Napoli who has directed several of Taylor’s plays. Their recent partnership resulted in “Them,” the feature production at King’s Theatre’s 2007 Summer Festival in Annapolis Royal. Their newest effort, to be presented at LITF 2008, is a two-hander that tells a poignant story sparked when “The Loner,” reluctantly and against his principles, moves in with the woman he finds irresistible.

Companies from Slovakia, Syria, Spain and Nepal are also expected to pursue the Best Original Script award at LITF 2008. Theatre Association Partizanske from Slovakia has developed a tightly knit ensemble that works closely together, often for years, to develop original works unique to their performance style. Partizanske brings “The Dreams, Wings and Hurricane Dog” by Jozef Krasula and Ivan Hanzlik to Liverpool this May.

The Al-Khareef Theatre Troupe from Damascus, Syria, is centred around performers Nawar Bulbul and Ramez Alaswad who usually work together to evolve their own performance material. While prepared to bring their celebrated work, “A Feast Night Dream” to Liverpool in May, Al-Khareef is also considering a new creation entitled, “The Solitary.”

Writer Joan Maragall is the featured author of “El Comte Arnau” to be brought to LITF 2008 by Aula D’Art from Spain, while the Sarwanam Theatre Group from Nepal plans to present “The Remaining Pages of History” by the company’s director Ashesh Malla.

The 9th biennial Liverpool International Theatre Festival should have no shortage of exciting theatre companies vying for its newest award. The 2008 adjudicators will conduct a first review of the submitted scripts and make a final decision following the festival presentations.

Further information on the LITF 2008 can be found at www.litf.ca.