It's Not The Destination...It's The Journey...

In the build up to bringing The Bench: A Tale from Paradise Heights to http://thestorey.co.uk/ later this month, there are a few things to contend with - not least having to cast the role of ERIC, superbly performed previously by the soulful and powerhouse of an actor that is CLYVE BONELLE, huge and highly respected boots to fill. 

Ian Curley (Mr Wolf) and Stella Grundy (Little Rabbit) The Bench

Each run of the play has been a glorious one, the flagship of The Heights so far, it's always a joy to do and of course I am always seeking to bring the play to more venues around the country, particularly London.  We lost out on a run at The TRISTAN BATES Theatre due to having no money to put the play on down there, a three week run is the best part of 20k - I've no doubt we will get to The TRISTAN BATES next year, but in trying other venues it is surprisingly difficult for a play that has done so well thus far. 

Whlst I was in London last July, performing in Cathy Crabb's magnificent THE ROOTS OF LOVE, I went around a few theatre's dropping off professionally produced DVD's of the play and a press pack packed with the many wonderful reviews we had recieved. 

One of these theatre's has the following text on it's website...

*************** is a world-famous home for new plays and an internationally renowned champion of playwrights. We discover, nurture and produce the best new playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds, and present their work to the highest possible standards. We look for exciting new voices that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion and we champion work that is both provocative and entertaining.

It goes on to say...

***************receives more than 1,000 scripts every year, and reads and responds to them all. This is one small part of a comprehensive playwrights development programme which nurtures the relationship between writer and director, as well as playwright residencies and commissions. Everything that we do to develop playwrights focuses them towards a production on our stage or beyond.

This is their 'response' to the play and the reviews it has had, it's taken the best part of 12 months to get to this stage...

Dear Joe,  Thank you for sending THE BENCH: A TALE FROM PARADISE HEIGHTS to ************. I apologise that it has taken us longer then usual to get back to you. We’ve experienced a high volume of hard copy scripts which we are working our way through. Your play has been returned from its second read by our Creative Associates and whilst they found it interesting, unfortunately, we are unable to develop it further as a production at *************. 

As *********** literary has undergone some changes, we can no longer offer writers feedback.  As a result of this change, we have developed ********* to allow you the chance to connect with other like-minded people.  We wish you luck producing your play elsewhere.  Thank you for thinking of us at ***********.'

This is a play backed up with the great reviews it has recieved, and a DVD for them to view.  I can only assume they haven't bothered to read the reviews or view the DVD, I'm stunned that it's taken 12 months to get to this stage and to not even recieve any feedback or reasons why...I presume that this is how they 'respond' to plays as they claim in the text above - not really much of a critical response is it? 

'We look for exciting new voices that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion and we champion work that is both provocative and entertaining.'

The Bench is all of the above, I haven't stated that - it's abundantly clear from the reviews.  I'm confused, yes - angry, no, discouraged would be the word.  The only discouragement I have is to sending these people anything again, a lot of lofty claims on their website. I'm clearly not convinced and I'm not sure what I would have to do to get one of my plays on down there, I have no wish to now. 

Phoebe Marie Jones (Shirley) Ben Hood (Corny) THE BENCH

Hats off to The TRISTAN BATES who, unlike the venue above, recognised the strength of this production, see you next year - along with a number of other London Venues...

Yes it's a bumpy and long road getting new work out there...full of highs and lows...but no more b(l)eating about the bush...it's not the destination...it's the journey...;) 

Joe x