PARTICIPATING IN THE 24:7 THEATRE FESTIVAL

The submission window for the 2012 Festival is now closed.

If you are an actor, technician, producer, director, stage manager, volunteer etc, please click here.

24:7 Theatre Festival is a platform for writers to produce their own work, showcasing their talent to the industry as well as the general public. We will now look for 10 plays for any audience and 1 play specifically for a family audience.

Why have writers submitted their scripts? For the invaluable experience and exposure. In the last eight years writers have gone on to win Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards, been commissioned by other companies and producers (including BBC Radio Drama and The Royal Exchange Theatre), taken their work to international Festivals and won awards there, used their experience to support successful Arts Council funding bids, planned their own tours, gained commercial sponsorship and become resident companies in other venues.

Our reading panel includes artistic directors of theatres, established playwrights and actors, freelance directors, professional dramaturgs, writing development agencies and university course leaders, all of whom provide detailed comment and critique which is fed back to the submitter.

We aim to empower the writer to self-produce their work, giving as much support as necessary. And it does work – as one first time writer and producer said in 2010 "I've a new play almost ready, but I might produce this one myself. I'd never have said that last May!"

What’s the timescale?
Invitations to participate will be made to writers in early April.

We’re anticipating that our 2012 Festival will be the best yet!

Photos of 24:7 2011

We are delighted to let you know that a range of fantastic photos are now available online:

Neale Myers' here

and Vinod Mistry's here

Many thanks to these fab photographers!

Video montages

Our partners at Dreamscope Productions once again made a video record of everything that went on. Click below to spend a little time looking back at a busy Festival:

30-second montage

1-minute montage

5-minute montage

In summary

We are delighted with this year's 24:7 and happy that so many of our participants have gained confidence to go on and do more!

With many thanks

to the funders and sponsors who supported this Festival:

and to all our unseen helpers, who were also essential in making it happen.

Why do people apply?

For the invaluable experience and exposure. In the last eight years writers have gone on to win Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards, been commissioned by other companies and producers (including BBC Radio Drama & The Royal Exchange Theatre), taken their work to international Festivals and won awards there, used their experience to support successful Arts Council funding bids, planned their own tours, gained commercial sponsorship and become resident companies in other venues.
Our reading panel includes artistic directors of theatres, established playwrights & actors, freelance directors, professional dramaturgs, writing development agencies and university course leaders all of whom provide detailed comment and critique which is fed back to the submitter.

We empower the writer to self produce their own work, giving as much support as necessary. And it does work – in seven years the 136 plays offered a slot have all been staged. As one first time writer/producer said after the 2010 Festival, “I’ve a new play almost ready but I might produce this one myself. I’d never have said that last May!”

24:7 to receive Arts Council National Portfolio funding

To let you know that we applied for and will receive three years of funding from Arts Council England, starting next April, as part of a new strategic framework.

They say: "Our investment consolidates the North West's growing reputation as a cultural tourism destination with a thriving festivals offer helping us maximise the economic impact of our investment."

In this pressured financial climate we will take our share of responsibility in promoting quality theatre productions in Manchester. Watch this space for further announcements and developments.

Click here for latest eNews: as at 19 November

If you have any comments, please email them to us:
info@247theatrefestival.co.uk