Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre has announced the re-release of all monologues in its celebrated TEN/DEG series, and will be uploading all ten short plays for FESTIVAL TEN from 5 – 12 June.
To give audiences an opportunity to celebrate the much-loved performances and experience all monologues in the series, the Olivier-award winning theatre will be bringing back all of the plays for the week-long digital event.
Originally launched on 1 May, the TEN/DEG series invited Welsh or Wales-based writers to submit a paragraph-long pitch for a one to five minute monologue to be hosted on the Sherman Theatre website for one week at a time. From the over 80 applications, a line-up of ten established, emerging and first time writers was assembled. Following an open-call, a cast of ten actors including familiar faces, established actors and emerging talent self-filmed the plays working with directors Alice Eklund, Samantha Alice Jones and Hannah Noone.
TEN/DEG formed part of Interval/Egwyl, the theatre’s creative programme established in response to lockdown in order to continue providing its audiences with compelling theatre experiences and to support artists and creative freelancers.
Available to stream for free online, the TEN/DEG monologues include No Sleep ‘til Filton Abbey Wood by Rick Allden with Steffan Rhodri, (Single) Motherhood by Alexandria Riley with Mali Ann Rees, Love (and Loss) in the Time of Corona by Katie Elin-Salt with Catrin Stewart and Zip by Alun Saunders with Gillian Elisa.
Sherman Theatre Artistic Director, Joe Murphy, said: “Our priorities have always been to provide audiences with exceptional theatre experiences and support and develop Welsh and Wales-based theatre makers. The Interval programme has ensured that we have continued to do both of these things throughout lockdown.
“TEN/DEG has been an integral feature throughout Interval, and we’ve seen an incredible response from audiences. I’ve been so impressed by the quality of new writing we’re seeing through the programme, as well as the high standard to which the actors are adapting to the short-form, self-filmed format with the support of our brilliant team of directors.”
Inspired by Papatango’s Isolated but Open programme, TEN/DEG was made possible by an anonymous benefactor. The generous donation allowed Sherman Theatre to offer paid writing and performance opportunities to writers and theatre artists from or based in Wales.
Joe continued: “As a theatre, we exist to enable our community of audiences and artists to thrive through engagement with the arts. FESTIVAL TEN promises to be a highlight of our Interval/Egwyl programme: it provides a platform for our audiences to access compelling new writing, while celebrating these digital theatre pieces which everyone can enjoy.”
Interval has included the donation of two short plays by Sherman Theatre Associate Artist Gary Owen, titled MUM and DAD with performances from Lynn Hunter and Michael Sheen.
To provide support to freelancers and artists, the Interval programme has also offered a number of free engagement opportunities including workshops with the theatre’s artistic family, and one-to-one creative conversations with Joe Murphy and Sherman Theatre Associate Artists such as Seiriol Davies and Suzanne Packer.
To continue its work create exceptional theatre for audiences in Cardiff, Wales, and beyond, and to support Welsh and Wales-based artists now more than ever Sherman Theatre is relying on support and donations. Sherman Theatre has launched a text giving campaign, and so to donate £5, £10 or £15 to Sherman Theatre, please text SHERMAN 5, SHERMAN 10 or SHERMAN 15 to 70450. You can also visit shermantheatre.co.uk.
