A dedicated Scratch night for Shaftesbury, connecting writers with audiences.
From idea
to stage...
What is a scratch night?
A scratch night is a chance for local writers and performers to test new work on a friendly pub audience. We meet once a month, every third Wednesday in the back room of a Shaftesbury pub.
How does
it work?
Our writers submit either a short play or an extract from a larger play, approx. 1400 words or 15 minutes long. Our writers, directors and actors arrive at our chosen Shaftesbury pub at 6pm to rehearse. At 8pm, a jolly audience is invited into the BACK ROOM (with drinks in hand) to watch!
How should writers submit?
Send your script to submissions@backroomtheatre.uk
We recommend signing up to our mailing list so that you will always know what opportunities are coming up!
It’s preferable for planning, so please contact us before the event or turn up on the night at 6pm. We will do our very best to make it work! If you are happy to join our mailing list, you will be notified of the upcoming roles available each month.
Do actors need
to register?
Meet the team
Co-Founder Diana Banham
Director
Diana is an experienced director with a passion for developing new writing and supporting new theatre makers. She brings extensive experience of directing and producing theatre alongside her role as a trustee of Shaftesbury Arts Centre. She believes that the strongest theatre is collaborative. Diana has a loyal troupe of local actors who regularly grace our Back Room boards.
Co-founder Georgie Faulkner Bryant
Writer
Georgie is a writer developing new work for stage and radio. She is passionate about creating opportunities for emerging writers. She believes great theatre can start with a simple idea, a few actors and an audience willing to take a chance on something new. Georgie is also a director of Shaftesbury Fringe and has experience in event production, creative development and bringing artists and audiences together.