What Stage? - The Next Stage

The Next Stage was my favorite thing in the entirety of Guild Drama, at the Guild of Students, University of Birmingham.

It was the termly new writing night run by Watch This - Theatre Company.

Whilst I was there I submitted writing to every single Next Stage, bar one. This means I wrote, and directed a lot of short plays in that time. Now, mostly for my own sanity, and so that I will remember, I have attempted to write a list of each and every one:

The only piece I was both the Writer/Director for was Sevens, (2017 Jun 6th - 7th).

The seven deadly sins, and the seven heavily virtues try to organise a dinner party. It goes about as well as expected.

Writing

2019, 5th & 6th Jun.

Home Sweet Home

A piece about living in Selly Oak, a part of Birmingham with a bad reputation, and a stabbing that occurred recently.

Dream-Quest of the Unknown Road

Two people on a road trip. They start questioning what they see with their eyes, until it is too late to stop pretending that they cannot see. Inspired by Lovecraft, Alice Isn’t Dead, and an obscure internet video series.

2019 21st Jan – 10th Mar.

Lioness Pride

The goddess Sekhmet, walks among us. She’s here to drink, and start fights. She is a nasty drunk. This eventually became part of Myth Remembered.

2018 24 & 25th May.

Medusa Stands

People have been telling the story of the horrible, vile, evil Medusa for years. They have been telling it wrong. Come and hear her speak. This also became a section of Myth Remembered.

The Open Window

A country house, a new visitor who doesn’t know much about country life. See how a little girls set of tales, can put the fear of god into any man. An adaptation of a Saki short story.

2018 1 & 2nd Dec.

Cardboard Hero’s

A superhero parody along the lines of the 1960s Batman TV series. Featuring cardboard sets and barely more 3D characters. Full of schlocky troupes and unacceptable puns.

Heavy Thoughts

My attempt at a physical comedy about anxiety and depression. A piece that looks at the inherently comedic aspects of these conditions.

2017 6th - 7th Jun.

Dispelling Myths

Three different ages of a person, battle with their changing position whilst battling an addiction to self harm.

2017 23 & 24th Mar.

Mother Nature

Humanity comes and apologies to Mother Nature. Who is running out of patience for us.

2016 4th Dec.

Dance With The Jackals

An overprotective mother smothers her child, who wants nothing but freedom. However, is she right about the dangers of the world. This was inspired by The Villages song of the same name.

Directing

2019 24th Jan – 10th March, Co-Director

You Go First

A man and a woman, move though time towards each other, accidentally. We learn lots about them, as they go though job interviews, and nights out, before we even see them meet.

2018 1 & 2ND DEC.

Here’s to You

A grieving brother speaks to the ghost of his twin on their birthday.

2018 May 24th –25th

Treehuggers

A pair of journalists, travel to interview a man who has not left his tree in years.

2017 Oct 28th – 29th

Gritted Teeth

A couple bicker furiously, whilst also trying to pose elegantly on the red carpet.

2017 Jun 6th - 7th

Just Pitching

A pitch session for a show goes comedicly off course, as the team struggle to separate the bad ideas and tropes from the frankly offensive.

2017 May 24th – 25th

Another Anthem

MI6 attempt to headhunt a promising young Oxford student, however she is not entirety sold on the idea of Queen and Country.

2016 Dec 4th

One Up For It

Two actors up for the same audition do their best to psych each other out.