Six new plays. Three late nights. One giant sandpit.
Alexander Lass curates and directs a festival of new writing. In celebration of the current
production of Holes by Tom Basden in the Arcola Tent, these short plays use the same set: a large, mounted sand dune. The result is an eclectic collection of new scripts-in-progress performed across several nights. If Holes is the main course, Scenes on The Sand is the dessert.
Bringing together some of Britain’s best new writers and brightest acting talent, Scenes on the Sand penetrates the absurdity of human nature to examine what lies beneath.
MONDAY 4th August (contains mild swearing and some adult themes; 15+)
10.00pm – SIREN by David Elms
Comedian, writer, and actor David Elms was recently the winner of the 2014 Musical Comedy Awards. He has appeared on BBC3 and BBC Radio 4extra, and his forthcoming solo debut stand-up show Nurture Boy will play at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.
Cast includes: Emma Sidi and Barney McElholm
10.35pm – TREASURE by Alexander Owen
Alexander is one half of rising-star comedy duo The Pin; Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre sell-out show providers since 2011. Winners of Best Show at London SketchFest 2013. Alexander’s debut play, Fade, played at The Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh to critical acclaim in 2013.
Cast includes: Ian Targett, Sasha Waddell, Mark Frost and Albie Marber
WEDNESDAY 6th August (contains some adult themes; 15+)
10.00pm – STRUCK by Isley Lynn
Isley’s critically acclaimed debut play Lean enjoyed an extended run at the Tristan Bates Theatre in London (2013). She was the Script6 winner at The Space (2014), and she is a Young Writers Programme graduate and Invitation Studio Group member at The Royal Court. Isley’s work has also been supported by writing programmes at the National Theatre Studio, Soho Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, the Tricycle, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Ovalhouse and the Orange Tree Theatre.
Cast includes: Hannah Taylor Gordon and James Rigby
10.35pm – OPTING OUT by Caitlin Shannon
Caitlin’s previous writing credits include: Non-Essential Personnel and The Getaway (both for the Orange Tree Theatre), Einstein and Mileva, (off-Broadway at the Clurman on 42nd Street), Staff Writer on The Bible (History Channel/Channel 5), Wimpole Street (Blip TV; Winner, Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy, LA WebFest 2014).
Cast includes: Daisy Ashford, James Rigby and Nathalie Buscombe
FRIDAY 8th August (contains frequent use of strong language, sex scenes, and adult themes; 18+)
10.00pm – DESERT ISLAND DISCS written and performed by JAMES MORAN
James is a comedian. He is a satirical columnist for the Huffington Post, and his TV credits include BBC News Quiz. He co-wrote and performed in the hit show Armageddapocalypse (Edinburgh Fringe 2011/12).
10.35pm – SEX ON THE BEACH by MICKEY DOWN and KONRAD KAY
Mickey and Konrad recently wrote, directed, and edited Gregor, their debut feature film starring Matt King (Peep Show). It will tour festivals in 2015. Work in development includes: sitcom Alexander The Great, (NBC/Lucky Giant); Jolly Rogers (Bwark Productions), and their debut play Giant Leap, which has had two successful rehearsed readings at LAMDA.
Cast includes: Ian Targett and Leila Sykes
Curator and director – Alexander Lass
Alex is currently Associate Director for Phillip Breen on Holes by Tom Basden (Arcola Tent). Forthcoming: Alex will assist Angus Jackson on Oppenheimer by Tom Morton-Smith for the RSC. Previously as director: Skeletons, Unrivalled Landscape, Horse and Carriage (Orange Tree Theatre), Last Manor Standing (Pleasance, Islington), The Relapse, Donkey’s Years (Howard Theatre). Previously as associate director: Threeway by DC Jackson (Invisible Dot). Earlier this year, Alex assisted Davis McCallum on London Wall for the Mint Theater Company, New York City. The production was nominated for Lucile Lortel and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival.
Producer – Heather Chalmers
Heather is currently studying Performance Art at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, having finished a degree in Linguistics at The University Of Edinburgh. Productions Include; Games of Love and Chance (Zut Alors Theatre), The Okavango Macbeth (Edinburgh Studio Opera), The Last 5 Years (TwoSquared Productions) and various others at Edinburgh University. Heather recently managed The Accidental Festival, at The Roundhouse, Camden; which showcased over 70 acts infour days.
Executive Producer – Debbie Hicks
Deb currently works for Jamie Hendry Productions in the West End following a tenure as part of the Stage One Apprenticeship Scheme for outstanding new producers. Productions include: Let It Be (Worldwide), The Little Prince (Nicholas Lloyd Webber & James D. Reid) and The Wind in the Willows (Julian Fellowes, George Stiles & Anthony Drewe). Over the last five years she has worked variously for James Seabright, Sarah Brocklehurst, Theatre Uncut, and the Donmar Warehouse; produced the multi-award winning NSDF production of Amadeus and the Fringe premiere of RENT, and run Bedlam Theatre in Edinburgh. She has been commissioning and staging work in her own name since 2009.
Read full cast bios here.
Tickets and Times
4, 6 & 8 August at 10.00pm – All tickets £5
Please note this show is not part of the Arcola Passport