Melanie O'Connor Horn with readers Patrick Jordi and Debbie Gildenhuys at The Masque's Playreading Programme.
The Masque in Muizenberg is presenting its 2024 Play Reading Programme, providing the chance for writers to have their new scripts brought to life, as well as the opportunity for the public to be part of the development process.
The programme organisers are calling for writers to submit their scripts to be considered for one of the monthly Play Reading sessions that will take place this year.
“The Masque continually seeks ways in which we can inspire, nurture and launch original South African work,” says Faeron Wheeler, producer of the programme and programme manager of The Masque.
“In 2023, we established play reading sessions which were coordinated by Melanie O’Connor Horn, who curated our recent One-Act Play Festival. The sessions received such overwhelmingly positive feedback last year, we decided to formalise the initiative into a programme that will run throughout the year and hopefully for years to come,” says Wheeler.
Melanie O’Connor Horn will again oversee the final selection of plays for the readings, as well as coordinate the directors, actors and schedule for each reading.
“The selected plays will be allocated a director and actors to rehearse for a table reading, which will be presented to a small audience and a panel of experts. The goal is for the playwrights to hear the play spoken out loud and to get feedback from audience members and experts to help the piece grow,” says Wheeler.
“We also invite people to come and join us at the monthly sessions to be part of the discussion process. Audience members complete a theatrical experience, so their feedback is invaluable to help the play evolve.”
The plays will not only be selected in the early part of the year, so writers can continue to submit new work throughout 2024. The slots are limited so plays submitted later on may only be considered for the programme next year.
Plays that are part of the Play Reading Programme will then be considered to be presented as part of the next One-Act Play Festival at The Masque.
“We kicked off the season on 7 May with Knock Knock, a play by renowned author Dawn Garisch,” says Wheeler. “The discussion session afterwards was engaging and productive, and we are so looking forward to the next sessions.
“We encourage people to come and be part of the process, as well as urge writers to submit their scripts to us for a play reading evening themselves,” says Wheeler.
To submit a play for consideration for the Playreading Programme, visit: https://forms.gle/8E29hZB2Y26AYQwj7
The next Play Reading session will take place on Tuesday June 4 with An Ordinary Life by Kitty Smith.
The play examines devoted love – contrasted by ambition and social acceptance in a western society. Experience their peculiarities, the games they play and the hilarious characters who pop by their home in Wembley, London.
A look at what lies behind the silk sari, the warm Indian welcome and its colourful traditions. In London, families of Indian origin have a sub-culture that is both admired and derided – but remains mysterious to many. It’s an immigrant community that is often lauded for its family values, educational excellence, and professional achievement.
Explore the unusual world of Kamseela and her husband Kavi, their marriage, and their eccentric relationships.
Tickets cost R50. Book at https://qkt.io/PROrdinaryLife
Tuesday July 23 is scheduled to be Travelling Incognito by Ginny Swart, followed by one play reading a month for the rest of the year.
The Masque Box Office is open from 9am to 2pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Parking is available at the venue, which has wheelchair access and facilities.
Visit www.themasque.co.za for more information.