Writers and actors, a chance to get together and read some scenes.

Cold Reads is an opportunity for actors and writers to come together, to read a brand new script out loud for the first time. This year’s Cold Reads scripts have been selected through our Ideas Submission window. They’re new pieces of writing that excited the panel. Come along for an opportunity to perform, practice your cold reading skills and feedback on writing, or just listen to a new work by a local writer, whilst networking with other local theatre artists.

Producers, directors and other theatre makers are also welcome to attend. If you do not wish to read please make Beccy aware at the beginning of the session.

Tue 29 July, 6-9pm  – The Ancillary by Fred Baker

Much of the world’s water has been rendered undrinkable by disease, and Birmingham, the UK’s largest water purification plant, has been contaminated. Quickly running out of water, the Administrator of a rural treatment plant is pushed to adopt a mysterious, experimental technology.

Able to process water at an impossible rate, it could be the saviour of crumbling Site A074. However, as its origin unravels, so too do the minds of those working at the plant. The seeds of distrust bear fruit, and a gruesome discovery is made…

CONTENT WARNINGS:

The Ancillary contains depiction and discussion of:
– Physical and psychological suffering.
– Violence, injury and murder.
– Disease, illness, death and grief.

There is also frequent use of disturbing and graphic imagery.

Fred Baker is a Nottingham-based writer, actor, director and sound designer. His work uses environmentally-themed dystopia to explore England’s industrial past, and ask how we should aspire to live with the environmental consequences of industry.

He was selected to write The Ancillary for Nottingham Playhouse’s Homegrown Creatives programme in January 2024. The piece received its initial sharing in Company One the following August and has since been developed further to a new draft.