This one-act play festival was conceived a year ago to celebrate the 40 years that plays had been performed at the theatre. Cold Old Blow – a musical centred on the local gunpowder industry was written and produced by one Maurice Patterson, a local man, in May 1983. Maurice was instrumental in establishing the Arden Theatre and together with Leslie Smith, a local philanthropist cemented the beginnings of the town’s theatre.
Maurice, according to his daughter Sarah-Jane, who made an appearance to open each evening, “would have been chuffed to know what the Arden has done, by naming this festival after himâ€.
The theatre advertised for local playwrights to submit one-act plays. Twelve had been submitted by the deadline. The 12 playwrights were treated, courtesy of the theatre, to two professional workshops by two very well-established and famous playwrights, to help fine-tune their scripts before ultimate scrutiny from the Arden’s Drama Committee.
Of those twelve, just three were chosen for production and performance at the theatre. Assemble with Care by Mary Onions draws stark comparisons between the sometimes-fragile construction of family relationships and the assembly of a flat-pack table. Butterscotch by Ribs Norman is a tragicomedy in which the final days of four different lives overlap. Guns and Roses by Stephen Condor is a dark comedy about toxic masculinity and hairdressing.
All three plays were received with instant approval and commendation, despite Assemble With Care having to be read as a radio play because one of the actors in the two-hander was suddenly unable to participate.
Audience feedback
“That was phenomenal†-Audience Member
“Wonderful evening, thank you†-Audience Member
“This is not an amateur theatre, is it?†-Audience Member
“When’s the next one?†-Audience member
“Just superb. Thank you†-Audience Member
“So moving†-Audience Member
“Very creative solution to what at first appeared an intractable problem.” -Audience Member [Butterscotch]
“Really enjoyed the 3 plays. We have t real talent in the town” – Brian Booth, Facebook
“Really enjoyable, night. Three plays for the price of one, absolute bargain😊” -Lynda Pace
“Great night out supporting new writing and our local theatre. Not one to miss! Many congratulations to all involved” -Lindsay Jane Dale, Facebook
“The Arden theatre – three one act plays – simply amazing.” -Alison Tuition Wellbeing, Facebook
“Wonderful time at The Arden tonight. Brilliant acting from everyone. Well done to the playwrights. Ribs Norman’s play “Butterscotch” was particularly entertaining.” -Celia Hutchinson, Facebook
“Great show xx” -Claire Snoad, Facebook [Butterscotch]
“My friends and I thought it was great!” – Celia Hutchinson, Facebook [Butterscotch]
“Went last night, great show. A bit dark.” -Jeff Snoad, Facebook [Butterscotch]
“Loved this play, great acting 🎔 -Lynda Pace, Facebook [Guns and Roses]
“Absolutely brilliant” -Seyah Alison, Facebook [Guns and Roses]