This week, Old Vic New Voices held a live Q&A forum to answer all your queries about our exciting new brief, New Voices Edinburgh 2012. In case you missed it, here is some top advice from OVNV’s Steve Winter, for those of you considering applying…
What are you looking for?
We're hoping to discover five great new plays that will work well at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Is there a time limit for the plays?
The play can be as long as you like, but bear in mind that the audience at Edinburgh is used to a fast-paced programme of work. They may well be seeing several plays a day, so if your running time appears too long, it may very well put people off. You should also consider your getting in and getting out time, as there is often a very fast turnaround between different shows in the same venue.
Can you apply with a new translation of an existing play in another language?
Yes you can, as long as that translation hasn't already been performed professionally somewhere else.
Can we apply with a musical?
Full musicals are not eligible, nor is opera. The idea of the fund is to concentrate on new plays. However, if your play involves incidental music, and as long as you’ve licensed it, that should be fine.
Will you consider pieces written in a devised style?
While a devised piece is fine, it needs to be a script from which our group of readers can get an idea of style and narrative.
Can people apply for the fund if they’re involved in more than one production?
You can apply for the fund as many times as you like. However, before you commit to being involved in more than one production, take the time to consider if you can keep that up for the whole festival.
Are winners are responsible for their own accommodation costs, and how long will they be expected to stay in Edinburgh?
The successful applicants will stay in Edinburgh for the whole four weeks of the festival. So, make sure you have budgeted for accommodation, food, transport and, of course, booze.
Shortlisted applicants will have to present a showing of the work no more than 20 minutes long, followed by a pitch and question and answer session. Do performers have to be off-book for this?
We will expect people to be off book and performance-ready. However, it does not need to be 20 minutes long. Something short but brilliantly presented might work better and the remainder of your presentation time could be used to answer questions.
What is the box office split between the company and the venue?
The split with the venue is 65/35 in favour of the artist.
For more information on New Voices Edinburgh 2012, please download the What We Are Offering PDF. If you have any further questions about the fund, please email ovnv@ideastap.com.
If you have any technical questions about the application process, please email info@ideastap.com.
To apply for New Voices Edinburgh 2012, please visit the brief.
Image by Rea Mole.