As part of the Reiver – Voices From The Borders we invited members of the general public to submit audioplay scripts for production. The guidelines were simple: each audioplay had to be a maximum of 30 minutes long, use a maximum of 3 actors and be set during the era of the Reivers. Scripts could only be submitted by writers from Northumberland or Durham County.
With our assistant directors Lowena Oliver and Patrick Glare three were selected for production:
MALEFICIUM by Louise Dearden
END GAME by Chris Neville-Smith
SERO SED SERIO by Will Sutherland
Recorded at Hatfield College Chapel, Durham and the Northern School Of Art, Hartlepool by North East actors, the result is three powerful new dramas.
In addition we are working with runners up to develop their scripts for future production.
All three were made with the generous support of the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Northumberland County Council and Durham University.
Three new plays by three North East writers set in the era of the Reivers.
A tale of witchcraft, intrigue, injustice and deceit as a young woman, Mary Hawley, is accused of conspiring with the Devil.
Notorious Reiver Lord John Crozier has been captured by King James’ men. As he awaits his fait he tries one last gambit…
Elias Kerr, a young Reiver soldier, has switched sides and joined the King’s Army. Then, suddenly, he finds himself on a mission against his own people
Four podcasts covering different historical aspects of the the Reiver era and how to write about it.
Northumberland writer and actor Steve Byron discusses the world of the Border Reivers, their historical background and the rich lore that surrounds them.
Northumberland writer and actor Steve Byron discusses approaches to writing.
Romani storyteller and author Richard O’Neill discusses the experience of the Traveller community during the time of the Border Reivers.
Author and history tour guide John Sadler discusses the world of the Border Reivers, their origins and wider historical context.