Playreading
About me
From an early age I loved anything theatrical and spent many years of my life studying drama and dance, performing on stage and singing in choirs. Amateur dramatics was a hobby and I met my husband when we both belonged to a Youth Theatre Group. For many years we both continued to act together and thoroughly enjoyed our hobby until our children came along and we no longer had the time!
Many years later when I was widowed I thought it may be possible to revisit Amateur Dramatics, until I realised that learning lines may be too challenging at my age! I joined Bishops Cleeve u3a as I was told that they were starting a Playreading Group and I found it so enjoyable to read a play with other members and not have to remember lines.
In 2018 the Group Leader retired and I took over leadership of the group, just adding a few ‘tweaks’ of my own but otherwise carrying on in the same tried and trusted way. Covid and lockdown were a challenge, but the group survived the hiatus and is currently thriving.
A Playreading Group offers so much more than simply reading a well chosen play – it gives the opportunity to discuss the plot and characters and possibly discover a play which you knew nothing about beforehand.
I am more than happy to offer help and advice to anyone thinking of setting up and leading a Playreading Group. Please also contact me should you wish to discuss any aspect of successfully running and sustaining a group. It can be tremendous fun and a learning process while enjoying yourself!
Some guidance points from me
Playreading Groups usually attract lovers of the English language, amdram enthusiasts plus would be actors! As it is a sedentary pastime many u3a members who have mobility problems find it both accessible and enjoyable.
Resources – You need only a venue, chairs, a well-chosen Playset, some interested members and away you go.
Legal requirements – No licence is necessary if you are reading as a group alone, but if you read to an audience you must obtain a licence from the copyright holder. Depending on the play this can be costly.
Photocopying scripts and Playsets – I always advise reading the u3a Copyright + Licences section to avoid contravening copyright laws.
I suggest that twelve is the maximum number of members for various reasons, especially selecting plays with sufficient parts to be certain that everyone has a fair share. More than twelve and not everyone can be certain of reading, too few parts simply does not work.
Equally ‘stretching’ readers to cover too many parts is stressful and rarely satisfying. When casting for a meeting ideally you should cast each scene/act individually giving members a fair share of available parts and you should be prepared to adapt your plans due to absences on the day.
As time goes by you will discover which members are confident and strong while others will require support and encouragement. Some are better at reading comedy while others may excel in dramatic parts so it’s good to balance your choice of Playsets to reflect everyone’s talent as they develop. Don’t take it too seriously, it’s meant to be enjoyable!
I advocate a tea break half way through your meeting – giving everyone a chance to discuss the plot while relaxing prior to continuing. This is the ‘social’ part of your meetings. Take this opportunity to discuss future play selections, often members have a favourite which they would like to revisit. As a rule of thumb 80 pages of dialogue takes approximately two and a half hours to read.
Vivien
SECOND CHANCE - A one act play in four scenes by Beverley Carpenter (u3a member) Second_Chance_One Act play.pdf (135.95 KB)
We welcome your feedback on the plays - drop me an email.
Some warm up exercises - provided by Sara Gray of Malmesbury & District u3a
Scripts by Brian Freeland - available from www.brianfreeland.co.uk at no cost (but postage would be appreciated).
Plays available for download - a folder of many plays, regularly updated with new material.
Scripts for Stage is a website to access some plays which can be purchased or read online. There are several plays on this site and many are murder mysteries.
The Gutenberg Project is an online library of free eBooks which features plays out of copyright to be downloaded, copied and edited for electronic distribution. Some publishers (e.g. Lazy Bee) will sell an electronic script with specific permission to duplicate and group read.
Examples of plays to download from the Gutenberg Project:
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde
The Playboy of the Western World bu JM Synge
School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
The Country Wife by William Wycherley
The Inspector-General by Nicolay Gogol