Make it Write Productions CIC Three Shows for the Fringe

Make it Write Productions CIC Three Shows for the Fringe

Make it Write Productions run three workshops early in each year to find plays to produce at the Liverpool Fringe. The workshops called “Play with your Play” introduce writers to a director and allow them to look at their plays through a director’s eyes. This year, Directors Molly Farquhar and Luke Sookdeo chose Bernie Winston’s true life play Bad Blood. They are now in the process of rehearsing this.

At the next workshop Director Amber Buttery chose a political drama with a chatbot ruling Britain, The Bot by William Thacker. Will has had this play staged a few times in the south of England. Ted Gray has taken the seat as director as it needs a new twist for the age of fake news.

Finally, the producer’s choice for this year is a one-woman show by Sinead Renaye. Sinead, never quite fitting the tick boxes of the creative industry tells her tale of wigs, racial abuse, the parts she hates to get and the parts she never gets. “Some People have “IT,” which brings the industry and mixed heritage into the spotlight.

The Bot written by William Thacker and directed by Edward Gray.

The Studio Below, 39 Rodney Street Liverpool. 18.30 and 20.15

Acted out in a cartoon world, Prime Minister Tobias Quantick rebuilds Britain by putting a chatbot in charge of everything. But when the AI takes a dark twist, Tobias must decide if the truth is worth it. THE BOT is a dark comedy and political satire for our times.

Writer, William Thacker :“The Bot is a play that was getting a lot of attention but then Covid hit and I had children. I am pleased Make it Write has decided to give it a staged performance in Liverpool Fringe and look forward to the result.”

Director,Edward Gray : “When I direct a play, I have to find a way in, an odd angle to approach it. It took me a while to find it for The Bot, but with the co-operation of the actors, we have been really playful with this and with one thought in our heads, politicians always lie.”

Bad Blood by Bernard G Winston, Directed by Luke Sookdeo and Molly Farquhar.

It’s inspired by the events of 25 years ago when my best friend was diagnosed with Leukaemia but didn’t have a full sibling to provide the bone marrow for a transplant. I was with him on every step of his journey. He fought it off but sadly, last year the disease came back and took him. The piece is a tribute to him. Even though he was very ill, we shared lots of laughs as well as tears. Hence the humour.

MATT has been diagnosed with Leukaemia and has just started treatment… Should he need a bone marrow transplant, he’s in trouble as he has no family. His Friend EDDIE lends him moral support (or tries his best to) as he embarks on his journey. Despite dealing with a serious subject the piece features many comedic moments. It focuses on the importance of good friends in times of need.

Bernard G Winston a playwright, started out with Make it Write but has gone on to produce his own work. He decided to bring this play back to Make it Write as it was not his usual play and thought it needed the fresh eye of our two talented directors. “Most of the changes made have been around location of the scenes. I tend to have the scenes in places like kitchens but Molly and Luke have taken them to public places that make the lines more awkward to say out loud. It gives the play a more realistic edge”

Some People have “IT” by Sinead Renaye

Some People have it looks at the day-to-day life of a talented, mixed heritage actor, working behind a bar whilst juggling her ill health, wigs and making it to auditions on time.

“All the little stories that Sinead told me about auditions and the scripts she has been sent made me realise that this had to be a show. Not having your foot in one camp, makes it hard to cut it in a world that wants the same safe faces served up on TV,” says Sharon Colpman, Make it Write Producer and Sinead’s script advisor. “We didn’t want it to be all doom and gloom but at the same time making it in an industry that is afraid of difference is hard.”

“I put a lot of side remarks in the script to keep it light hearted and I play a lot of the music that has got me through the tough times. The big factor in all this is you have to pay the bills and eat whilst struggling to get that big break and when the “it” plays a part in being scene, the chances of that break get slimmer.” Says Sinead

Loyalty Card

At the Studio Below we’d like to encourage people back to see more shows. Pick up your card at the first show you see and get it stamped. If you get two stamps you can have £2 off at the bar and 4 stamps gives you a free drink. It’s a great deal for all those that would like to make the most of the Fringe.