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Playing up A new internet competition is set to let the public decide Scotland’s newest playwriting talent Words: Anna Millar

A new playwriting competition has been launched allowing Scots, or those living in Scotland, the chance to have their theatre show produced at the Tron Theatre. As part of a new initiative applicants can apply online by providing a synopsis of their play and a sample scene. A judging panel including actor and filmmaker Peter Mullan, NToS artistic director Vicky Featherstone, the playwrights David Greig and David Harrower, broadcaster Janice Forsyth, and the Tron’s artistic director Andy Arnold will then select just three plays for consideration; each will receive £2000 of seed commission funding and will be developed with the support of an experienced mentor into first drafts. The finalists will film a trailer for their play and the public will vote for the piece with the most theatrical potential.

High profile names on hand to offer guidance include Zinnie Harris, Alison Peebles and Nicola McCartney.

commission and dramaturgical support to develop a rehearsal script, culminating in a full production to be staged by the Tron Theatre Company as its flagship production in autumn 2010. The runners up will both receive rehearsed readings at the Tron.

Andy Arnold, artistic director of the Tron Theatre said of the project: ‘I’m very excited about this unique approach to finding a brilliant new play for the Tron. The internet provides new possibilities for us and this is a great way to get people in Scotland talking about theatre and new writing. There’s not just a financial reward for the script three scripts altogether but there is also the promise of a full production on the Tron stage.’ Tron Theatre performances of the winning play, the production will be made available to an audience of millions via the theatre’s website.

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BRIEFS THERE’S SAD news for culture lovers as the Arches prepares to shut its doors for January and February, while work goes on at Central Station. Arches patrons can take heart in the news that they’ll simply be taking their multi- talents elsewhere and will be curating the second Glasgow Music & Film Festival at venues across the city. Keep up-to-date at arches.co.uk

LIST FAVOURITE, the Wickerman Festival has been nominated in seven categories in the Virtual Festivals’ awards. The happy campers are up for Best Medium Sized Festival, Best Family Festival, Best Grass Roots Festival, Best Toilets, Best Dance Event (Bass Camp), Best Headline Performance for The Zutons and Best Headline Performance for The Human League. See virtualfestivals.com for more.

COMING HOME Another fortnight, another addition to the Homecoming Live The Final Fling programme, this time courtesy of Scottish art-punk legends, The Skids, who have been added to the line-up for the gigs on Monday 30 November they join Midge Ure (pictured) in Hall 4. Elsewhere, The Waterboys join the Clyde Auditorium show on the same night.

The winner will then receive a full See www.tron.co.uk/openstage

NTOS PROGRAMME LAUNCH The National Theatre of Scotland look set to build on their previous success with the launch of a bumper new six-month season, boasting, among other highlights, Long Gone Lonesome at Celtic Connections, Allotment at Govan Cross Shopping Mall, a new season for teenagers and a new version of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan, directed by John Tiffany.

AND FINALLY, a 350-year-old embroidered panel has gone on display in Glasgow after it was bought by the trustees of the Burrell Collection with a grant of £15,000 from independent charity The Art Fund. Judith with the Head of Holofernes is an addition to the Burrell’s 17th century collection.

A NEW LANDSCAPE Cairn Gorm: Reading A Landscape, a series of three site-specific artworks has officially opened at Cairngorm Mountain. Developed by a team based at the University of Dundee, and led by artist Arthur Watson, the project was three years in the making. Project organisers described it as ‘a fresh, inventive and unique project that will leave a lasting legacy on Cairngorm and its surrounding communities.’

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8 THE LIST 5–19 Nov 2009