The WFTS Podcast

In this episode our regular hosts, playwrights Mike Heath and Stephen M Hornby, interview Dr Szilvi Naray-Davey. They share their favourite theatre experiences from 2018 and get a bit pissed on cheap Prosecco. Szilvi discusses the intricacies of dramatic language translation, and tells us about how European theatre differs with British theatre, with a specific focus on the thriving theatre world of Budapest. 

There's a loud bang at 4min45secs. Don't worry - nobody died. 

This is the final episode of Series 1 of The WriteForTheStage podcast. We've loved making it and we've loved hearing from you. Thank you for your support. 

Have a great Christmas and New Year everyone, and we'll see you again in 2019 with Series 2. 

For more information about WriteForTheStage, go to writeforthestage .co.uk

This week we’re going to be analysing the second half of our study movie - When Harry Met Sally. We’re going to explore the falling action of Act 2 where the protagonist goes from triumph to despair, and the new tension and twist that helps our protagonist seek out a resolution to the POTW by addressing their emotional need in Act 3.

For more information about WFTS, go to writeforthestage.co.uk - or email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Insta and Twitter @Write4TheStage

Cathy Crabb is one of the North West's most prolific playwrights. She has written over 20 stage plays and her work has appeared extensively on Manchester's fringe theatre scene, as well as at main-house theatres, such as Oldham Coliseum, Royal Exchange, and Contact Theatre.

Mike Heath interviews Cathy, asking about what inspires her, how she develops her characters, and what drove her to write in the first place. He asks a list of listener questions. They hark back to the good old days of Studio Salford and swinging from a chandelier at Manchester's Palace Theatre.

For more information about WriteForTheStage, go to writeforthestage.co.uk

Follow Cathy on Twitter and Instagram - @CathyCrabb

In this episode, we explore how the classic 1989 movie, When Harry Met Sally, uses the 3-act structure to tell a satisfying story. We explore the set-up of Act 1 and the Rising Action of Act 2. The second half of the film will be analyzed in Episode 9. For more information about WriteForTheStage and their courses, publications, and their blog, go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk

Mike Heath and Stephen M Hornby discuss the functions of Act 3 and how playwrights have approached the end of their plays. We explore The Habit of Art, by Alan Bennett; The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter; and Escaped Alone, by Caryl Churchill. Banter and exploration of the 3-act structure.

For more information about WriteForTheStage, go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk

In this episode, Mike Heath looks at the functions of Act 3 within the 3-act structure. We explore how the set-up of Act 1 and the build of Act 2 contribute towards a whole, creating a resolution that feels satisfying and logical.

Mike addresses a question from an audience member, and talks about how Act 3 in his play, The Game of Two Halves, is used to affirm the theme of the play.

The Game of Two Halves is available from Amazon in paperback and Kindle edition - search "Mike Heath: Plays One".

For more information about WriteForTheStage, go to WriteForTheStage.co.uk

Mike and Stephen discuss Act 2 of their favourite plays.

They explore Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams; and Angels of America, by Tony Kushner. They also discuss by Ear For Eye, by Debbie Tucker Green, and Faraway by Carole Churchill.

In this episode we’re going to talk about the Rising action of Act 2, and how it sets up the Falling Action; driving the character from a moment of triumph towards a pit of despair. We’re also going to include a question from a listener regarding the function of dialogue.

The study play is The Game of Two Halves, by Mike Heath. Buy a copy of the play on Amazon (paperback and Kindle versions available. It's an Amazon Prime item, so will arrive within a day or two.

Go to Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com and search for "Mike Heath: Plays One".

Introducing our co-host, Stephen M Hornby. Mike Heath and Stephen discuss the openings of some of their favourite plays: exploring what makes a powerful, striking opening (and what doesn’t). Bants and conversation about modern theatre, along with a fair amount of opinion and mutual ribbing. Go to www.writeforthestage.co.uk for information about WriteForTheStage courses. Follow us on @Write4TheStage on Instagram and Twitter.

In this episode we’ll be exploring the functions and purpose of Act 1 in the 3-Act Structure. The study piece is The Game of Two Halves, by Mike Heath. You can get a copy of the script (first play in Mike Heath:Plays One) in either paperback or on Kindle at writeforthestage.co.uk/wfts-publishing