Three-day event puts creative process in spotlight

Let's not be overly dramatic here, but a new venture launching at Perth Theatre has the potential to open up a whole new world to you.

If you've ever wondered how playwrights take their ideas from blank page to theatre stage, then TalkFest Perth could turn out to be just the ticket.

It's an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in exciting new writing and a rare chance to meet the professional playwrights who transform mere words into magical performances.

With its rehearsed readings, playwriting workshops and script surgeries, there's even a chance for TalkFest attendees to try some writing for themselves.

It's an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in exciting new writing and a rare chance to meet the professional playwrights who transform mere words into magical performances.

This new mini-festival is a collaboration between Horsecross Arts and Playwrights' Studio Scotland, a national organisation for the support, development and promotion of dramatists.

The three-day event opens with a rehearsed reading of A Single Good Hour by Dundee playwright Simon MacCallum - a drama set in a decaying, old-style pub, which is clinging on in an increasingly gentrified neighbourhood.

Day two features Perthshire playwright Lesley Wilson, who presents an open rehearsal of her new play in development, Lips That Touch Liquor - a story of love, loss and sacrifice and one woman's determination to improve the lot of her family and those around her. 

It's followed by a rehearsed reading of And Another Thing... In Her Own Words 2, the second in a series of verbatim theatre pieces that Lesley developed from the stories of residents living in Birnam's Rivendell Care Home.

Day three begins with an In Conversation event featuring Perth-born playwright and screen writer Ben Tagoe. He'll reflect on his formative years, career path and recent work, which includes writing for Coronation Street and Lucky Man and a new play, When We Were Brothers.

The festival draws to a close with two exciting workshops, Writing for Performance: An Introduction, with award-winning writer and director Nicola McCartney at 2pm; and Writing History: Giving Voice to the Past, with Oliver Emanuel. 

Oliver Emanuel's final instalment of his acclaimed First World War trilogy, 306: Dusk, produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Perth Theatre, will be performed in Perth Theatre from 20th to 27th October.

TalkFest also hosts script surgeries with Lewis Hetherington; career surgeries with Ben Tagoe; and a mini-bookshop and information point run by Playwrights' Studio.

TalkFest Perth takes place at Perth Theatre from 25th to 27th October. Tickets for all events can be purchased via Perth Theatre Box Office on 017383 621031 or at horsecross.co.uk