Birr's Playwriting Festival is seeking new stage works

The dynamic and popular Birr festival “Scripts” is now seeking new plays to inspire and incite.
The organisers say that the theme they have chosen for 2022 is “Escape.”
Escape is a fantastic theme and it can of course mean many things. The festival organisers give people some idea of the way they are thinking: “Whether it’s finding sweet escape or clawing fingernails to avert imminent danger, what does it mean to break free from confinement or control?
“Circumstances, relationships, mask restrictions, jobs, judgement, relentless worry, fear - what do you want to escape from? We’re looking for characters with the pressure cooker turned up, actively making a change to their lives.
“From the minute to the immense, can you take on this theme and write an affecting 15-minute contemporary drama?
“Whether it’s the most ordinary or sublime situation or set of circumstances, we are excited to read creative interpretations of what escape can mean. While this year's theme is certainly a nod to our times, we welcome plays that look imaginatively at how characters can escape from all of life's challenges.”
The festival is scheduled to take place in Birr, from 14-17 July. Scripts offers playwrights a special and deeply valued opportunity to have their work developed and produced.
There's a rigorous shortlisting process and the three scripts considered most suitable for development will be selected.
These selected playwrights then receive a week of mentoring and script development under the guidance of Playwright and Screenwriter Eugene O'Brien, where the whole process of writing and rewriting is explored in a collaborative supportive environment.
You couldn't ask for a better mentor than Eugene O'Brien. The Edenderry man is one of the country's finest playwrights, winning critical acclaim for a number of plays, including “Eden”. He also wrote the RTE series “Pure Mule”, which was shot in Birr, Banagher and Tullamore and screened in 2005, over six episodes.
The festival supports three playwrights with a team of artists to mentor, develop and produce the emerging scripts for a rehearsed reading, which on this occasion will be directed by Jim Culleton of Fishamble. Industry professionals will then judge the final versions and a winner is selected.
The judges in previous years have included Jesse Weaver of The Abbey Theatre, playwright and theatre director Phillip McMahon and playwright, director, and performer Gina Moxley.
Some of the people who have trod the Birr Theatre boards during Scripts have gone on to many acclaimed things. The actor alumni include: Aaron Monaghan, Catherine Walsh, Cathy Belton, Charlie Bonner, Clare Barrett, Clare Monnelly, Geraldine Plunkett, Jane McGrath, Pascal Scott, and Peter Campion, to name but a handful.
The competition is open to both established and emerging playwrights; and they can submit original 15-minute plays on the theme of Escape.
The deadline for submissions is Monday 14 March 2022, 5pm.
For more details: visit www.scriptsireland.com
The organisers added that there will be an outright prize for "Best Play" which may include opportunities for the winning playwright to meet and engage with the production and dramaturgy departments of professional theatre companies and to take part in professional development courses. Previous prize sponsors have included The Abbey Theatre and Fishamble. The winning play may then go on to represent the festival in further opportunities and events, should suitable situations arise.
SCRIPTS is supported by Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Jasango Theatre, Offaly County Council, Arts Council of Ireland and Offaly Local Development Company. Scripts began in 2013 and is a four day festival.
Scripts is part of Birr Festivals Collective, which dates back to 2020 when Birr 20:20 commissioned a report to produce a set of recommendations to support sustainable festival development in Birr into the future.
One of the key opportunities identified was for all the Birr festivals to work collaboratively to address strategic goals in artistic development, audience engagement, and strengthening Birr’s position as an attractive and accessible cultural destination. Following the publication of the report Birr Festivals Collective was set up.