Question: what does ‘division’ mean to you?
8:51am Friday 1st March 2013 in Local
ONE word, six very different plays.
Talented new writers have created an original production, inspired by the word “division”, which launches at The Octagon Theatre, tomorrow.
Word:Play, which is made up of six 15-minute plays, will then tour the North West and South West, bringing together the two regions of England.
Rachel Austin, from Leigh, is part of the cast of four actors appearing in the experimental works which concern issues affecting society today, from identity and loss to relationships and the class divide.
She said: “It’s six new pieces. Three of the writers are from the North West and three are from the South West because that’s where the tour goes. We open in Bolton. There are four actors and we all act in all the plays. I’m in four of them.”
Rachel appears in Plastic Figurines, by Liverpool’s Ella Greenhill, This is Only a Test, by Bristol’s Tom Wainwright, The Bears, by Liverpool’s Luke Barnes, and Nights with Dolly Henderson, by Bristol’s Bea Roberts.
She said: “The writers were given one word, which was division, then they went and wrote the plays. They are all completely different. It’s exciting because, as an actor, you want to be challenged. I’m playing four completely different characters.
“I absolutely love new writing because you don’t usually get the opportunity to work with a writer.”
Rachel, who went to Lowton High School and then to The Arden School of Theatre, Manchester, has been nominated for Best Performance in a Studio Production in this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards for her performance in Black Roses at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.
She said: “I’m really proud of Black Roses and I hope that the play gets the recognition, more than anything.”
Word:Play will be at the Octagon tomorrow and Monday. Tickets are £10 or £8 for concessions and can be booked on 01204 520661 or at octagonbolton.co.uk.
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