Wellspring Writers Showcase

Top: text in white letters read 'Wellspring Showcase'. Centre: a composite photo of headshots of eight people. It is a diverse mix of people with various characteristics: short and long hair; dark, blonde and turquoise coloured hair; most of them face the camera and smile against a neutral background, trees, a brick wall or stage lighting.

An online presentation of fresh, determined voices in theatre who are re-defining the ‘mainstream’ narrative with provocations for social justice, multi-layered identities and their own disabled-led storytelling.

The showcase featured eight short films showing excerpts of new work written by each of the amazing Wellspring Writers in the past few months:

Choking Hazard (previously Redraft), by Nicole Latchana
Fighting Bitch Me, by Gabrielle MacPherson
Kummerspeck or And She Reaches Towards Me, by Lilac Yosiphon
Merrineum, by Victoria Taylor Roberts
Rock the Casbah, by Fatima Serghini
Static, by Paula Brett
Us First, by Robbie Curran
Vampires in South London, by Carmen D’ Cruz

The pieces were directed by Simon Startin and Guest Directors, Stephen Collins (Kummerspeck or And She Reaches Towards Me) and Kate Lovell (Chocking Hazard and Fighting Bitch Me). The event took place on Zoom, on Wednesday 8 June, at 3pm. The films integrated BSL Interpretation and captions.  

You can read more about each piece by downloading the information document (available in PDF and WORD):

Wellspring Showcase Films Information – June 2022 (PDF)

Wellspring Showcase Films Information – June 2022 (WORD)

Go to the Wellspring Writers’ Blog to read more about each Writer’s experience in the programme, their aspirations for the sector, top tips for playwrights looking for professional development and a sneak peak into the plays they have been writing for Wellspring.

Wellspring, supported with funding from City Bridge Trust, has provided bespoke professional development support to London-based disabled, d/Deaf and Neurodivergent playwrights. The 2021 – 2022 programme has been delivered in partnership with mentors from the Bush Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Paines Plough and Theatre503.

Read more about Wellspring.

You might also like
A composite image of from the Quiet Rebels performances showing Creative Captions and filmed BSL interpretation projected on stage. Production shots by Rehan Jamil.Quiet Rebels hits the 2023 Digital Culture Awards Longlist!
Wellspring 2023 launch
Quiet Rebels comes to life
White letters on black background read 'Wellspring Writers' Blog'. Below is a framed portrait photo of a woman of Iranian, Iraqi and Polish heritage in her early 30's. She has curly hair, brown eyes and round cheeks. She is wearing a cream blouse with little grey flowers on it and blue trousers. In the background, there is a theatre light focused in the direction of the viewer. Below the photo, the name Lilac Yosiphon is written in white letters.Lilac Yosiphon
A theatre stage set in a circle. The background comprises stacks of white boxes, the ones on top are open. A '70s chair is placed at the centre of the stage, and around the stage there are two bottles of wine, high heel shoes thrown on the floor and a floral dress hanging out from one of the boxes on the floor.Kay Fi'ainChairs’ Letter: Please Help the Arts Survive
White letters on black background read 'Wellspring Writers' Blog'. Underneath a framed portrait photo of a white man with short dark curly hair, and he is giving a smile that shows his teeth and makes his eyes squinty. Underneath the photo, the name Robbie Curran is written in white letters.Robbie Curran
White letters on black background read 'Wellspring Writers' Blog'. Underneath a framed portrait photo of a white, blonde, 30 something woman. She laughs at something just off camera. She wears a white top and her hair up on a messy bun. Underneath the photo the name Gabrielle MacPherson in white letters.Gabrielle MacPherson
Photo of a white androgynous person with short dark hair, pictured on a sand beach, in their wheelchair. They wear black leather clothes and peacefully gaze away from the camera. Text in shades of dark red and orange reads: Wellspring 2023 - Writers' Blog. Jesse Stone. Bottom: company logos of Vital Xposure, Bush Theatre, Paines Plough, Soho Theatre, Theatre503, Arts Council England, City Bridge Trust and National Lottery Community Fund.Jesse Stone