Having entered Rialto Theatre’s play-writing competition, four writers witnessed a fifteen minute excerpt of their play performed in an evening buzzing with creativity and anticipation.

 It was the final of three such evenings with the winning play going on to be performed at this year’s Brighton Fringe Festival.

All four plays were engaging and different. The actors performed fantastically, passionately bringing the excerpts to life. MC, Debbie Bridge introduced each one with a useful overview and light-hearted extracts of her playwright interviews.

First up was The Causeway by Robert Cohen, depicting a confrontation between two sisters about one’s childhood disappearance and denials of abuse at the hands of a “sainted father”.  It was very direct and brave.

The second and winning play A Fraction Of The Price, by Hove-based Paul Stoyle, was fittingly described by the writer as “a gloriously gothic black comedy.”

An unsuspecting customer willingly pays with body parts for his wishes, when he enters spell-binding Percival Darcy’s trophy shop.

The second half included Anthems by Norman Miller and Looking for Something by Rick Lyons, a well-written examination of a young couple’s relationship breakdown.

In the end the audience voted, although all were worthy winners.  It was an inspiring night which dipped in to the vast talent pool of local creativity. Fortunately, more such night are promised.

Four Stars