A PENGE MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Written by Sarah Finigan
I think the pandemic made everyone think differently about community. Certainly, for Katy Morgan and myself, both actors who live in Penge, it made us want to start something creative in our corner of south-east London. So, we approached Luke Adamson and Joe Lindoe, who run the award-winning Bridge House Theatre in Penge and asked them if we could set up a bi-monthly script reading evening at the theatre. Happily, they said yes, and Off The Page has been up and running now since January ‘23.
Every other month, our audience can hear some new writing and take part in a Q&A afterwards to help the writer develop their work. A large proportion of our audience are from our local community, and they have some terrific thoughts and opinions. One of our writers went on to be the inaugural winner of the Phoebe Frances Brown award with a play that was first read with us at Off The Page.
Last summer, I took part in Compass Collective’s 24-hour Shakespeare Marathon for Refugee Week and thoroughly enjoyed it – what a fantastic event! So, when Katy and I heard about this year’s fund raiser, we thought, well, it’s not exactly new writing, it's been done a couple of times before, but... we just have to sign up and help Compass Collective set the world record for the most simultaneous performances or readings of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on 21st June for Refugee Week.
We felt we had to get involved for two reasons: firstly, Compass Collective are a wonderful charity. The work they do is really important, particularly in the current political climate, and secondly because the theme for Refugee Week this year is “Community as a Superpower”. The Bridge House Theatre, under the directorship of Luke Adamson, is deeply rooted in the community and is committed to championing those currently underrepresented in the Arts.
It’ll be a special event for us, because along with the actors, we’re inviting our audience to read with us too. And we are as excited about the high-profile actors on board as we are about the teenagers from local schools who are also going to read. If you want to join us, all you need is a copy of the script. You’ll also be invited to bring a prop you might like to use, or a musical instrument that could underscore some scenes. With our very own Penge mechanicals, we’re hoping to create a bit of magic of the south east London variety in our reading of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
So, you’re all invited to The Bridge House Theatre on the 21st June. You can just watch or take part, with or without a pint. Whatever you do, you’ll help us create a unique reading of A Penge Midsummer Night’s Dream. We’re delighted to be part of the wider Compass Collective community on midsummer night and we’re aiming to raise at least £250.
You can follow us on social media @offthepagepenge and @pengetheatre