Visitors, members and discussions included:

Actor / director / voice coach Jules Craig

Writer Elysa on working on children’s books, audio drama, mystery drama, adapting short stories, taking courses

Actor Wayne Liversedge on his work in festival-successful short films and the business of turning an audio drama into a short film script.

Sophie Methuen-Turner on working on Fringe theatre shows, and taking a production to Italy, plus the business of murder mystery events as potential employment for writers and actors.

John Lawrenson on writing comedy and humour. We read and discussed an extract from his latest 1970s flavoured satirical show The Inspectors – Making Your World A Safer Place – flourescent-bibbed goons are on a recruitment drive for the crusade …

John’s looking for a Captain Mainwaring-type for the project.

Poet, playwright and reviewer Simon Jenner on Playwrights International, the Oxford comma, writing – and rewriting – a play with ‘directors’ notes’ during lockdown.

Discussion on returning to theatre post COVID – what do audiences want? Cosy, comfortable and familiar, or challenging work?

Members’ and visitors’ news included:

Nick and Phil discussed the Page to Stage group in Eastbourne, with development news of their play Sheep Love to Die set for January 2024 performance.

Steven discussed the business of writing and creating short film, which led to discussion on the use of AI in film – an ongoing conversation.

Jenny Rowe discussed her plans for taking her solo show on James Tiptree Jr to WorldCon SF convention.

Amanda Horlington discussed her experience writing a film script in lockdown.

Discussion round the Three Act Structure as a writing tool.

Challenge issued for the October meeting – the First Five Pages, with special guest screenwriter James Payne.