New Work-In-Progress Performances Hits South Bristol Theatre
Audiences will be treated to brand new writing at the North Street theatre this June
Two brand new pieces of writing by emerging theatre-makers will be getting an audience at Tobacco Factory Theatres this June.
Its comes as part of the South Bristol theatre’s Writers Lab programme. The scheme supports the work of new and developing writers through weekly sessions, enabling them to build on their craft.
Writers Lab is led by Mike Akers and has been running since 2023. In that time it’s seen over 100 writers take part.
The culmination of the scheme is Writers Lab Presents… This platforms the writer’s work for the first time in a showcase of such size.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity for audiences to see bold new work-in-progress shows.
This June’s event – in the Spielman Theatre – sees two pieces about grief and trust. They are both told through dark comedy and ‘inventive theatrical storytelling’.
It features the work of Charlotte Souter and Rhys Williamson.
Charlotte Souter’s writing style is described as ‘comical, quirky and imaginative’ whilst exploring hard-hitting themes. This Show is Not About Death, is based on her personal experience of grieving her estranged dad.
Ella tries to perform a quirky office comedy – but is interrupted by the ghost of her dead father insisting they create a show together. How do you navigate complicated grief without a map?
“Debuting my show at the Tobacco Factory Theatres, where the idea was born, feels like a full-circle moment,” Charlotte says.
“Writers Lab was instrumental in giving me the tools to execute this play. I learnt so much from Mike Akers and the network of writers I met on the course. I am really excited to bring this piece to my local theatre.”
Charlotte will be presenting her work through a script in hand performance.
Charlotte was long-listed for the Channel 4 New Writers Scheme 2024 . Her plays have been performed at The Egg, The International Youth Arts Festival and Woking Drama Festival.
Bristol-based storyteller Rhys Williamson, is the second writer to be showcased at the event.
His darkly comic solo show was inspired by his personal experience of being scammed by a roofer in Bristol.
The event has been reimagined as a modern day fairytale. In it, the roofer is the Big Bad Wolf.
A Very Difficult Person uses storytelling to examine themes of trust, justice and the need to ensure the feeling of safety in your own home.
“I’m hugely excited to bring this show to the city where I live and where the story actually happened,” Rhys says.
“I really enjoyed my time at Writers Lab and the opportunity to perform the show in the space where the idea first germinated feels really special. Writers Lab got me thinking about making my own solo piece, and what I learnt there has been invaluable in shaping this show.”
Rhys has been writing, directing and producing work since 2014. A Very difficult Person is his debut solo show. Earlier this year, a work-in-progress performance at Camden People’s Theatre SPRINT Festival. It was described as a “consistently laugh out loud” performance by Culture Matters.
This Show is Not About Death is at the Spielman Theatre of Tobacco Factory Theatres 06 June at 3pm
For more information or to book, visit: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/writers-lab-presents-this-show-is-not-about-death/
A very Difficult Person is at the Spielman Theatre of Tobacco Factory Theatres 06 June at 7pm
For more information or to book, visit: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/writers-lab-presents-a-very-difficult-person/
For more information about this term of Writers Lab: https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/writers-lab-summer-2026-term/
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