Join award winning theatre makers Katy Schutte and Chris Thorpe as they lead you through the core skills of creating work for performance. Katy will help you to perform spontaneous games and scenes, improvise entire plays, and experiment with pre-writing and devising for scripted work. Chris will concentrate on how we allow for flexibility in our performance work, making sustainable frameworks for interaction and conversation that allow a distinct experience for every performance and every audience. You will be inspired and energised in an environment that is all about supporting you to make your best work. This is a low-pressure, explorative and fun week with applicable methodology for all kinds of creativity. You don’t need any previous experience of writing or improvisation. You are also very welcome if you are a seasoned writer and/or improviser looking for a fresh injection of creative energy to bring into your work.
*Please use the expandable links below to reveal timings and further details of the course schedule.
Single room: £985
Concessions: £689.50
As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, we offer limited concessionary places at a 30% reduction. You can select this option at checkout if available.
What your course fee covers:
Tutoring: Four morning group workshops, with inspiring writing exercises to kick-start your creativity, plus two 1:1 tutorials, one with each tutor, focusing on your own work. Our tutors are some of the leading writers at work today, and in addition to formal workshops and tutorials you will share meals with them and have opportunities for more casual conversation. During evening readings, you’ll hear your tutors – and a guest speaker on Wednesday evening – share their work and answer your questions, from the secrets of their craft to the practicalities of life as a writer.
Your accommodation: A week in a grade II listed stately home set in 27 acres within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
All meals: We hand over our well-stocked and welcoming kitchen to you, offering a fresh, tasty seasonal menu prepared from local ingredients where possible (with dietary requests catered for), as well as a constant supply of coffees, teas, and home-baked cakes throughout your stay.
Time and space to write: an opportunity to step away from the distractions of everyday life and focus solely on your creativity.
A community of writers: our writing weeks have a relaxed and sociable atmosphere and offer the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people. Many of the writers who attend our residentials stay in touch and continue to share work and support one another’s writing journeys – sometimes even decades later.
Support for our charitable activity: Arvon is a charity, and each year over 40 of our courses are with vulnerable groups and schools, from young people who have experienced bullying to adults recovering from an addiction. Your course fee helps to support groups who would otherwise not have the opportunity to access our transformational courses.
Physical Access at The Hurst:
The Hurst is the only house that is fully accessible to wheelchair users. There is access to every room via a lift. All communal spaces, including workshop spaces, have level access. There are no steps on the ground floor. All door frames measure the required 825mm, although the fire doors installed reduce this width slightly. All door handles are at an accessible height, with power sockets located at 500mm from the floor. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor.
For additional detailed information on physical access in bedrooms, kitchen, shared spaces and the grounds please visit our dedicated access page.
General Access Information for Residential Writing Weeks:
Available on all courses for those who are Deaf, Partially Deaf or who have significant hearing loss
We provide BSL interpreters on some courses. If you require this please check whether the course you are interested in offers this facility. Or get in touch on our dedicated access email: access@arvon.org
- We have a portable hearing loop system.
- We have a vibrating pillow pad linked to our fire alarm system.
Available on all courses for those who are blind, partially sighted or who have significant sight loss
- We welcome guide dogs
- We can provide information in large print and other formats, such as word documents or PDFs.
- We can provide large print handouts for workshops
- We can provide additional desk lamps
- There is external lighting for navigating around the property, fixed to the external elevations of the main house, front and back, as well as external buildings. Lighting is switched on and off manually by staff each day.
Available on all courses for those who have Dyslexia
There’s no need to worry about spelling, grammar or handwriting on our courses, the focus is on creativity.
- We can provide information on coloured paper
- We may be able to make arrangements such as sourcing audio of suggested reading.
- You are welcome to use any supportive technology during the sessions, such as a dictaphone or laptop.
Available on all courses to those who identify as Neuro Divergent
Arvon is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment to all.
- We can provide information on coloured paper
- We may be able to make arrangements such as sourcing audio of suggested reading.
- You are welcome to use any supportive technology during the sessions, such as a dictaphone or laptop.
If you need to take some time out to rest, or be alone, you’re welcome to do so. Participation in any activity is entirely at your discretion.
Our grants scheme may be able to cover a portion of your course fees. Disability costs and additional living/support costs are taken into account when considering your grant application. You may also be entitled to concession pricing on selected courses.
For additional detailed information on how we can support people with learning difficulties, mental health issues, and those with special diets and allergies, please see our dedicated access page.
If you have any questions or concerns and want to chat to a member of staff prior to booking please contact us on access@arvon.org
The Hurst is a place you can write, far away from daily distractions. The house and gardens, surrounded by the forest-covered Shropshire Hills, were the former home of playwright John Osborne.
The 19th century building has been given a thoroughly 21st century renovation. All 16 bedrooms have a single bed, en-suite bathroom and are lift accessible. There’s plenty of space to relax and write throughout the house, including the main workshop room with a library.
All your meals are provided, locally and sustainably sourced wherever possible. Help yourself to breakfast, our team will prepare lunch, and dinner is prepared in groups each evening using the delicious recipes and ingredients provided.
The grounds boast redwoods, wild orchids, surrounded by the forest-covered Shropshire Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house sits within 26 acres of woodland, with a spring-fed lake and inspiring walks.
See here for more information on The Hurst.
Katy Schutte
Chris Thorpe
Rachel Mars
