The winning postgraduate short article. The playwright's workshop as action research : a case study

Abstract The playwright's process of research is seldom documented. For some, the writer's process is a solitary affair. For others, particularly those encouraged by centres for new writing such as the UK's Royal Court Theatre, greater collaboration with artistic directors and actors is a constant feature in the development of new work. Despite the rise of new British writing talent in the late 1990s, in theatre education the status of new writing has yet to recover from the decline of Theatre in Education (TIE) companies. Education programmes run by theatres to replace TIE work often use mainstream theatre productions as a basis for work. Very few theatre companies exist that commission plays specifically for young audiences. One fertile source of new plays for young audiences, devised work, has all but disappeared. The collaborative process outlined by Cora Williams, of actor/teachers devising through clear stages of inspiration, Gestalt, transcription then rehearsal, is expensive and practised by ever ...