Liverpool Scratch Network

Liverpool Scratch Network is back at the Everyman Theatre on Saturday 17 October, with a new night of reader's theatre and monologues. It's a monthly thing, so if you've missed the previous ones, this is a good place to jump in.

If you're not familiar with how a scratch night works, it's a bit different from a finished play. It sits a step or two up from a readthrough: actors and directors get a scene the night before to get to know it, then arrive a couple of hours before the show to workshop it with simple blocking, minimal props, and the script still in their hands. The audience is told at the start that what they're about to see is a work in progress, so there's no pressure on the performers. The whole point is to create a safe space for creatives to explore new ideas and meet other people in the industry.

That's where the 'network' part comes in. It's a local writing and performance group that brings together industry professionals and emerging creatives, giving actors the chance to act, directors the chance to direct, and writers the chance to hear their ideas performed. They describe themselves as a vibrant community, and they've been growing for a while now — they marked their one-year anniversary with their biggest show yet at the Liverpool Royal Court.

This one is downstairs at the Everyman, on Hope Street, running from 19:00 to 20:00. Entry is free, so it's an easy one to drop into if you're around on Saturday evening.