Posted on Apr 19, 2019 in News
This workshop explores the role of “voice” in creative writing, particularly in relation to how writers create, sustain, and engage with their characters’ voices and their own writer’s voice. Through a series of practical exercises the workshop will look at ways to develop character and voice so that they live and breathe for writer, reader and audience. David Napthine has written extensively for radio, film and television and worked on “Towards Flodden” with Treading the Borders. He is joined by John Foxwell from the Department of English at Durham University. Both David and John are members of HEARING THE VOICE a large interdisciplinary study of voice-hearing led by researchers at Durham University and funded by the Wellcome Trust. The international research team includes academics from anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, history, linguistics, literary studies, medical humanities, philosophy, psychology and theology. ...
Read More
Posted on Jul 3, 2018 in News
One-Off Workshop on Saturday 8th September – Abbey Row Community Centre, Kelso Led by David Napthine with John Foxwell this workshop explores the role of “voice” in creative writing, particularly in relation to how writers create, sustain, and engage with their characters’ voices and their own writer’s voice. Through a series of practical exercises the workshop will look at ways to develop character and voice so that they live and breathe for writer, reader and audience. David Napthine has written extensively for radio, film and television and worked on “Towards Flodden” with Treading The Borders Theatre Company. He is joined by John Foxwell from the Department of English at Durham University. Both David and John are members of HEARING THE VOICE a large interdisciplinary study of voice-hearing led by researchers at Durham University and funded by the Wellcome Trust. The international research team includes academics from anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, history, linguistics, literary studies, medical humanities, philosophy, psychology and theology. For further details, please contact Jane Houston Green: info@treadingtheborders.org.uk Phone: 07919...
Read More
Posted on Apr 3, 2018 in News
After a fantastic response rate with people signing up from a variety of backgrounds and across the generations, sixteen participants completed the three workshops in March 2017. After receiving mentoring and support from Tim Nevil and Jane Houston Green, twelve writers went on to submit scripts for analysis and assessment by two independent theatre practitioners – Dr Robert Leach and Clare Prenton. Four plays were subsequently shortlisted and these were then presented to the Board for final selection – this whole process was done anonymously so that the focus was kept on the strength of ideas, writing and theatrical understanding. The upcoming event on April 5th will showcase these twelve writers work and announce those short listed as well as the overall winner of the programme. All writers who took part in the workshops in 2017 showed great imagination and dedication to their work so it is only fitting that we celebrate their success. As a reminder if you would like to follow the event live please visit our Facebook...
Read More
Posted on Feb 15, 2017 in News
This project is the combination of two plays for touring in August/September 2017 to celebrate the success of the new Borders railway. The first of these plays will be STILL LIFE (1936) by Noel Coward who adapted the play to become the film script for BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945). The second will be a commissioned piece of new writing chosen from a writing workshop and mentoring programme that should give a fresh and inspired interpretation of ‘a brief encounter’. This is an opportunity for writers in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian who are keen to develop writing skills for professional theatre. The project has been divided into two stages:- Stage One is the writing/mentoring workshop programme which will take place in March, April, May and culminate in a celebratory event in June. Stage Two is the full touring professional production. Sufficient funds have been secured for Stage One from ScotRail and Live Borders but we are waiting on the successful outcome of a funding bid for Stage Two. Please note that the writing commission is part of Stage Two and subject to funding from Creative Scotland. WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE Writers are encouraged to attend all sessions. We are offering these workshops at no cost to participants and tea/coffee/biscuits will be provided. Venues are accessible. Saturday 4th March: 2-6pm at The County Hotel, Selkirk Saturday 11th March: 2-6pm at Abbey Row, Kelso Thursday 23rd March: 6-9.30pm at MacArts in Galashiels DEADLINE FOR COMPLETED SCRIPTS: Midnight May 21st 2017 BOOKING: JANE HOUSTON GREEN, email info@treadingtheborders.org.uk ...
Read More
Posted on Jun 23, 2014 in News
From 5.00pm, Monday 23rd June 2014 The National Theatre of Scotland and The Space present The Great Yes, No, Don’t Know, Five Minute Theatre Show. From 5.00pm on Monday 23rd June 2014, visit the virtual stage on the Five Minute theatre website for 24 hours of live theatre from Scotland and beyond on the theme of ‘Independence’. Featuring a number of Scottish Borders based writers, you can download the full schedule here (unfortunately repeats are not listed). Don’t worry if you miss the “Sparks Goes Out With A Shout” original screening slot of 4-5am on Tuesday morning, as it is being repeated again – Tuesday 24th June at the rather more sociable time of between 12noon and...
Read More
Posted on May 29, 2014 in News
Friday 30th May at 7.30pm Chain Bridge – Horncliffe, Berwickshire Writers/Performers: Jane Houston Green, Carol Norris and Clare Watson Three famous Scottish women – MURIEL SPARK, ELSIE INGLIS, LULU – a writer, doctor/suffragette and singer are on the Chain Bridge, a boundary in the Scottish Borders between Scotland and England. These women are from different generations and begin to discuss pertinent facts about their lives. Elsie who was passionate about Home rule for Ireland is keen on Independence and leaves to enjoy fruit scones at Paxton House. Muriel is eager to return to the warmth of Italy via a coffee at the Honey Farm. Lulu is left on the bridge with a flask of tea as she tries to...
Read More
Posted on Jan 17, 2014 in News
This letter below was printed in the Southern Reporter newspaper on the 26th September 2013. It comes from one of the many who attended and enjoyed a performance of Towards Flodden, The Script. “I trust I am writing on behalf of the very many people who, over the past two weeks, have attended a performance of “Towards Flodden” given by the recently-established Treading The Borders Theatre Company. All of us, I’m sure, were impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism of all involved. This locally-written play was no mere historical re-enactment. This was about more than the tragedy of Flodden. Here was the horror and futility of all wars laid bare. The universal soldier, the weariness of the combatants, the position of women in time of war – they say farewell to their men and then they await their return, or not. And while they wait, the fear of being abused by the victors. Many will say that we already know all this, that we have heard it all before. But nations never learn and we need to keep hearing it. This play doesn’t hold back in the telling. To watch the performance in Wauchope Hall, Yetholm, was especially poignant. On the wall beside me was the board with the names of the town’s First World War fallen – the pity of war for all to see. My understanding is that there are plans to develop this production with a view to taking it to other parts of the country. I wish it well – this is a serious play from a seriously good theatre company. “ Yours sincerely Dr Malcolm Morrison President Melrose Literary...
Read More
Posted on Sep 11, 2013 in News
While we had wanted to share the performance at the actual location we really thought Branxton Field would be a wash out… imagined four actors and a director in a small, soggy marquee with a grass floor, a number of deck chairs and a few people aimlessly wandering around. But no! The sun was shining in a wonderful blue sky, we were in the large marquee with a wooden floor and chairs in a field of beautiful clover and we had between 50 and 60 people who had come especially, despite the road being blocked out of Coldstream with an over turned lorry. People were enthralled, and David Napthine compared it all leaving the audience with a cliff hanger! Later on, Lady Waterford Hall looked glorious in the early evening sunshine and we had an audience of 45 who were enthusiastic about the performance with lights, sound and atmosphere barely noticing that we had scripts in hand. It went really well with Robin & Carol Butler writing in the visitor book for Lady Waterford Hall ….‘Powerful, poignant production. Much enjoyed. Thank you.’ We are all looking forward to the performances in Selkirk and Neidpath Castle (Peebles) on 13th September and the other dates on 20th (Yetholm) and 21st (Coldstream). To view more photos from Towards Flodden, visit and like our Facebook page....
Read More
Posted on Aug 27, 2013 in News
Treading the Borders is pleased to have their new and improved website online in time for our up coming staged readings of “Towards Flodden” in September. We hope that you will find our new website easier and quicker to navigate and find information. It is our aim that the website will grow over time. It is certainly going to be easier for us to keep you up-to-date with our latest performances and workshops and any other news relating to Treading The Borders. You will notice that we are also attempting to enter the wonderful world of social media, so feel free to “Like Us” on Facebook and “Follow Us” on Twitter, where we also hope to keep news...
Read More
Posted on Aug 13, 2013 in News
Tickets for the staged readings of “Towards Flodden” which are being performed at various venues around the Scottish Borders are on sale now from the online box office at www.borderevents.com Tickets will also be available to purchase locally for the Ford, Yetholm and Coldstream performances at the following places: Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: Ford Post Office (01890 820230) Wauchope Hall, Yetholm: Village Shop (01573 420366) Community Centre, Coldstream: Clark’s Newsagent or (01890...
Read More
