Theatr Clwyd announces six Writers in Residence who will be attached to its in-house productions this year. The bursary gives emerging writers the opportunity to spend time observing rehearsals, develop ideas in a creative environment, get to know other artists working at the theatre and, if appropriate, get feedback on their work.
Each writer will spend ten days at the theatre and the bursary will cover travel, subsistence and expenses. The Writers in Residence scheme is generously supported by Gladstone’s Library, where accommodation is provided at the Grade 1 listed building in Hawarden which is the only Prime Ministerial Library in Britain.
Theatr Clwyd is a home for writers in Wales and the residencies represent the beginning of a relationship with a network of writers.
Sami Ibrahim and Carys Lewis are Writers in Residence for Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending. Ibrahim’s most recent play Wind Bit Bitter, Bit, Bit, Bit Her was part of last year’s VAULT Festival, following its shortlisting for Soho Theatre’s Tony Craze Award. Carys Lewis is a Welsh-Canadian writer and director, currently Filmmaker in Residence at Welsh National Opera where she has created a trilogy of films each responding to the theme of ‘revolution’.
In the summer Theatr Clwyd and Paines Plough will present three new plays in the Roundabout season. Louise Osborn and Samantha O’Rourke are writers in residence. Louise has worked with Mersey TV, Channel 4 and Radio 4. She was Artistic Director at Theatr Powys and has worked in Wales with Sherman Theatre and Hijinx. Earlier in her career she wrote over 40 episodes of the serial drama Hollyoaks. Samantha O’Rourke lives in North Wales and is Writer on Attachment at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre.
Ming Ho and Hefin Robinson are the Writers in Residence for Theatr Clwyd’s autumn production, which will be announced next month. Ming has written for EastEnders, Casualty, Heartbeat and The Bill. She looks forward to exploring stories inspired by her Welsh mother’s family during her residency. Hefin Robinson is a bilingual writer who works in English and Welsh. His prize-winning play Estron (Alien) toured Wales last year in a Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru production and he has worked with other Welsh companies including Dirty Protest and The Other Room.
