Apr 29-May 4
Totleigh Barton
Residential Writing Week: Starting to Write
Begin the journey
Join award-winning playwright and screenwriter Evan Placey and award-winning director and dramaturg Tessa Walker for this inspiring week of playwriting. If you already have an idea for a play but you need the tools to turn it into a dramatic script, this is the week for you. This course will equip you with key aspects of your craft including structure, character, dramatic action and dialogue to help you make the key decisions for your play and get you writing.
This week you will be encouraged to write various scenes from your play and to create a clear plan for how to complete it beyond the week. Through daily exercises you will also write monologues and scenes from other ideas, encouraging you to approach your work in fresh creative ways.
Tutor
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Evan Placey’s plays include Girls Like That, Consensual, Pronoun, Mother of…
Tutor
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Tessa Walker has directed numerous productions by a wide variety of playwrights. She has been an Associate Director at Birmingham Rep,…
Guest
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Waleed is an award winning writer and actor, winning an Olivier for his play The P Word which he…
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.
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
Available on all courses for those who are blind, partially sighted or who have significant sight loss
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.
Available on all courses to those who identify as Neuro Divergent
Arvon is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment to all.
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.
Monday
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Arrive in the afternoon, settle in, enjoy dinner and the tutors’ introduction to the week in the evening.
Tuesday
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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. Tutors read from their work in the evening.
Wednesday
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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. In the evening a guest speaker joins the group.
Thursday
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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. You are free to spend this evening as you wish.
Friday
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Tutors lead the final workshops in the morning. In the evening everyone gets together to share and celebrate their work.
Saturday
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The week comes to a close after breakfast, departures by 10am. Have a tissue handy to say your farewells to the group.