Royal Shakespeare Company announces a North East playwriting double
Northumberland playwright, Stewart Pringle has been announced as one of two new Writers-in-Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside London-born but Zoe Cooper, who has made her home in Newcastle.
Stewart, who grew up in Allendale, will be moving to the RSC next month (November) from his current role as a senior dramaturg at the National Theatre.
Zoe, whose plays include an adaptation of David Almond’s book, A Song for Ella Grey, will be seconded from her senior lecturer role at Newcastle University where she has worked for the past eight years since completing her PhD.
Their new roles will see Stewart and Zoe leading the New Works team at the RSC as well as developing their own writing.
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The RSC’s co-artistic directors, Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Stewart and Zoe to the RSC as our Writers-in-Residence.
“To be working with not one but two playwrights of their calibre is a hugely exciting prospect and holds true to our commitment to place artists at the heart of everything we do. They will be key to forging meaningful and inclusive relationships with new and established artists, whilst unlocking innovative approaches to how we make work.”
Earlier this year, audiences at Live Theatre in Newcastle were treated to the world premiere of Stewart’s play, The Bounds, which was set in 1553 Northumberland.
Of his new appointment, Stewart said: “I'm over the moon to be joining the RSC at this incredible moment in its history, and to be working with Zoë Cooper, one of my favourite playwrights.
“The RSC has long been a powerhouse for new work, and it's going to be such a thrilling journey to become part of that team, supporting and nurturing writers, as well as developing our own work alongside. Dream job! Let's go!”
Zoe said: “I am so thrilled to be coming to the RSC alongside the brilliant Stewart Pringle.
“To be given the opportunity to call somewhere home as a playwright is really rare. Rarer still in a theatre that has such a rich history and as it starts to write its next exciting chapter.
“I am greatly looking forward to being part of a team that I know will help lots of other writers feel like the Company can be a home for them too. Can’t wait!”