Posted on May 9th, 2023
HighTide Rising opens the first season of work under our new Artistic Director Clare Slater. This mini festival of play readings is taking place on Saturday 20 May celebrating four exceptional, emerging East of England playwrights: Tassa Deparis, Guleraana Mir, Eloise Pennycott and Tom Ratcliffe. Clare says: “HighTide Rising is just the beginning of our new commitment to East Anglian playwrights. Tassa, Guleraana, Eloise and Tom are brilliantly talented writers and it’ll be a joyful day getting a taste of their new work in development.”
Today, we’re thrilled to announce that each of them is being mentored by a senior playwright of their choice, as they develop their scripts and think about their future steps. Mike Bartlett is supporting Tom, Hannah Khalil is supporting Guleraana, Lucy Kirkwood is supporting Tassa and Nina Raine is supporting Eloise. We’re incredibly grateful to Mike, Hannah, Lucy and Nina for their time, kindness and expertise.
Also, HighTide Rising is being co-hosted by leading playwrights: Suffolk-resident Lucy Kirkwood and Felixstowe-raised Juliet Gilkes Romero. They will guide us through the afternoon and share valuable insights along the way.
When we asked Lucy about this, she said: “I’m so thrilled to see HighTide shining a light on the next generation of playwrights here in the East of England. There are so many brilliant artists emerging, or waiting to emerge, from this wonderful, fertile region. I’m excited to see what happens when they are given the opportunity to experiment and explore, hone their craft, and take wild risks, supported by this visionary company.”
And Juliet said: “Theatre matters because stories have the power to resonate, inspire, challenge and empower. Without playwrights civilization would be very bleak indeed. Here in the East of England we want to find and nurture all sorts of voices to keep this creativity burning bright.” (We’re delighted to say that Juliet has recently joined HighTide’s Board, alongside other new Trustees Sarah Holmes, and Emily Anstead.)
HighTide Rising is kindly sponsored by Adnams and generously supported by Diana Hiddleston and Clare Parsons.
