Festival organisers receive over 450 scripts from writers hoping to appear at HighTide 2008
The HighTide Festival, returning to Halesworth between 1 and 5 May has been inundated with scripts from writers hoping to have their play staged at this year ’s festival.

The organisers of the festival put out a call for submissions from playwrights in Autumn last year, and have received over 450 scripts from emerging and established writers. Literary Manager Mark Richards is now charged with the daunting task of reading all the scripts. Once a shortlist has been drawn up Mark will work with Artistic Directors Sam Hodges and Steven Jon Atkinson to select the successful plays for the 2008 festival.

Sam Hodges said “I am delighted by both the sheer volume and quality of the work that has been sent in. There has been an explosion of interest and support this year, and it is humbling to receive this nationwide vote of confidence.”

Scripts have been arriving from across the UK for HighTide 2008, and successful writers will see their plays staged at The Cut in Halesworth over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

HighTide aims to support the careers of emerging writers and directors, and each writer will be paired with a director to work closely on bringing the play to life.

Last year HighTide helped boost the careers of a number of writers: Adam Barnard, director of You Were After Poetry is now resident director at Stephen Joseph Theatre under Alan Ayckbourn; Sam Holcroft, writer of Ned and Sharon, now has a residency at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Tom Basden, writer of Assembly, won the If. Comedy Best Newcomer award at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and Polly Findlay, director of Oscar and Jim won the JMK Trust Director ’s Award.

Deadline approaches for inaugural HighTide Film Festival
Alongside the theatre programme at HighTide 2008, this year also sees the launch of the HighTide Film Festival, which will run a full programme over the five days of the festival. Film-makers have been invited to submit films for inclusion in the festival, and the closing date of Friday 1 February is now approaching. Film-makers can find out details of how to submit by visiting the HighTide website www.hightide.org.uk

HighTide is seeking Suffolk-based Company Manager
As preparation for this year’s festival hots up, the organisers are also looking to appoint a Suffolk-based Company Manager, with excellent knowledge of the Halesworth area. The Company Manager will be responsible for managing and supervising the accomodation, travel and subsistence arrangements for the HighTide company and for all HighTide guests and speakers. For further information on this position visit www.hightide.org.uk

For further information, photographs or to arrange an interview please contact Matthew Austin, Marketing and Press Manager on 07989 500732 or [email protected]