Roy Williams
Roy Williams is one of the judges for the 2008 Bruntwood competition and an experienced playwright. His plays include NO BOYS CRICKET CLUB (Theatre Royal Stratford East), CLUBLAND, FALLOUT (Royal Court), SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS (National Theatre), SWEET LITTLE THING (Eclipse Theatre Tour) and DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Royal Shakespeare Company). He has also written extensively for television and radio.
My most important tip to all writers, especially first time ones, is “Don’t get it right, get it written.” The completion of the first draft is only the beginning, never the end. Also, remember a play should never be finished until the last night. That is still a lesson I have to tell myself every single day. When I read new plays, I am always looking for something that does not just challenge the reader but also feels as if it challenges the author as well. It is important to me, if not necessary, that the author is questioning themselves, the world they are living in, and what they believe in, as well as the characters. Something that is brave, frightening almost, but not shocking for shock’s sake- something that will take me to a world that perhaps I knew very little or cared about. Something that does not forget that it is for the stage and can ONLY be done on the stage.
Roy Williams is one of the judges for the 2008 Bruntwood competition and an experienced playwright. His plays include NO BOYS CRICKET CLUB (Theatre Royal Stratford East), CLUBLAND, FALLOUT (Royal Court), SING YER HEART OUT FOR THE LADS (National Theatre), SWEET LITTLE THING (Eclipse Theatre Tour) and DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Royal Shakespeare Company). He has also written extensively for television and radio.My most important tip to all writers, especially first time ones, is “Don’t get it right, get it written.” The completion of the first draft is only the beginning, never the end. Also, remember a play should never be finished until the last night. That is still a lesson I have to tell myself every single day. When I read new plays, I am always looking for something that does not just challenge the reader but also feels as if it challenges the author as well. It is important to me, if not necessary, that the author is questioning themselves, the world they are living in, and what they believe in, as well as the characters. Something that is brave, frightening almost, but not shocking for shock’s sake- something that will take me to a world that perhaps I knew very little or cared about. Something that does not forget that it is for the stage and can ONLY be done on the stage.