In our final instalment of meet the Word:Playwrights, Assistant Producer Charlotte Mountford grills Natalie McGrath and Ella Greenhill on their involvement in Word:Play/NWxSW…

Natalie McGrath

How did you go about writing a piece with just the word ‘division’ as direction?

I had to carry the word around with me for a little while, and then have a few conversations about it in response to a some articles I had been struck by in a newspaper about social housing benefits and people having to leave where they were rooted.  At the start I wanted to tell a much bigger story and this led me to producing a bit of a wild treatment.  But it was a good exercise as it allowed me to then make some simple decisions.  I kept hold of the idea of having to leave a place that was tightly woven into the fabric of a persons consciousness, even after a long spell away, as a way of exploring the idea of ‘division’.

 What personal inspirational triggers do you like to use as a writer?

I’m interested in language and landscape primarily as a writer in order to attempt to conjure up a world, a theatrical space and how they might function or collide.  So I seek out the sounds, colours, textures, visuals of a place, in this instance it is Dartmoor, in order to discover a rhythm for the voices that might emerge in my writing, then I have to work at tuning in.  Music and poetry always act as some kind of guide too.  I overload then strip away to get to the heart of it.

Word:Play will be performed in your home town – how do you feel about seeing your work produced at a local theatre?

I am really pleased that a piece of my work is going to be performed for the very first time at the Bikeshed Theatre in Exeter.  I am deeply fond of it as a space and a venue. 

Your play is being presented alongside 5 other pieces about division by fellow emerging writers. Have you ever had your work performed with other’s before? How does it make you feel?

It’s really useful to have to flex different muscles as a writer and being part of a mix of voices can reveal new things about your own voice.  I was part of the Short Fuses season at Bristol Old Vic and Paines Plough’s Come to Where I’m From a couple of years ago and this challenged that sensibility.  I find it fascinating to see how writers respond differently to the same brief. 

What’s your favourite word?

Too many words out there to love to name just one, but compassion is a good one if I had to. 

Pictionary or Articulate?

Neither.

Ella Greenhill

How did you go about writing a piece with just the word ‘division’ as direction?

I thought about my own experiences of Division and what it means to me. I was scribbling words and ideas for ages and from that came up with my favourite and then discussed that with the Directors Adam and Hannah and it evolved from there.

What personal inspirational triggers do you like to use as a writer?

I often look at my family and the world in general. I think about things that frustrate me, interest me or really piss me off.

Word:Play will be performed in your home town – how do you feel about seeing your work produced at a local theatre?

It’ll be fantastic to see the play in Liverpool and great to get a response from an audience where I live.

Your play is being presented alongside 5 other pieces about division by fellow emerging writers. Have you ever had your work performed with other’s before? How does it make you feel?

I have had my work performed a few times as part of short play nights and I think it’s great. It’s interesting if there is a theme like this, as it’s so intriguing to see how different writers have interpreted it. I always feel nervous though so it’s nice to go first and then you can sit back and relax and watch the others.

What’s your favourite word?

Calculator, because i love the way it feels to write it on a piece of paper. I also like Synthesis, because i like the way it sounds.

Pictionary or Articulate?

Articulate all the way!

So now you’ve met the writers and the players, make sure you check back to meet the rest of the creative team and follow our tour diary. Don’t forget to follow us on twitter for all the rehearsal room gossip!