Plays
By Amelia Marriette
I have an MA in Shakespeare Studies; my specialism is Shakespeare in Performance. I was a script reader for the Royal Shakespeare Company for four years. I was a founder member of Stratford Playwrights, which was based in Stratford-upon-Avon. Please take a look below at my stage work. Do make contact if you would like me to act as a textual consultant on your script or if you want me to adapt a classic script.
Original Pieces
Nay, Remember Me! A comedy-drama about Shakespeare and the First Folio of 1623. Available now and published by Lazy Bee Scripts. Nay, Remember Me! was first performed as part of the Royal Shakespeare Fringe in 2001 at The Other Place Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon to sell-out audiences. It was immediately published in a small print run by Stratford Playscripts and sold at the Royal Shakespeare Company retail outlets. Nay. Remember Me! was then revived in March 2010 and performed at the Coach House Theatre in Malvern and then toured to the stunning medieval barn at Torre Abbey in Torquay, which was turned into a bespoke theatre for the occasion. Nay, Remember Me! was nominated for best drama in the West Midland Region by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association in 2010 - and their representative Trevor Guest said that "Nay. Remember Me! has humour and pathos," adding that the script is exceptionally well-written." Lazy Bee Scripts published the play in 2018. I was also the playwright of the month and featured by Stage Launch in 2019.
2023 marks the 400th anniversary of the printing of the First Folio. My article about the First Folio and my play Nay, Remember Me! is in the Summer Term Edition of Drama & Theatre Magazine.
Two Short Stage Plays
"Nighthawks" and "Binding Faggots." The former was staged as a rehearsed readings in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Summerhouse, the latter at the Civic Hall in Stratford-upon-Avon."Binding Faggots" is based on a painting by Brueghel and "Nighthawks" Edward Hopper's painting of the same name.
""Nighthawks" manages to maintain many of the best qualities of the film noir tradition whilst at the same time laughing at itself by using the sort of exaggerated metaphors Philip Marlowe might have been spoken had he been on speed."
Ron Westrich, Stratford Herald, October 2002
"Binding Faggots" was also performed in May 2013 at Barber Institute, Birmingham University. The painting is part of the Barber Institute's art collection. It was performed to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Institute. It was produced and directed by Anna Conomos of Annamation Storytellers.
Adaptation of "The Revenger's Tragedy"
Using the knowledge I gained whilst studying for an MA in Shakespeare Studies at the Shakespeare Institute, I was commissioned to write an actor's edition of Thomas Middleton's The Revenger's Tragedy (1606). My version was performed on a replica of the Globe Theatre at the Forum Theatre.
"The Revenger's Tragedy" [was] performed by Malvern Theatre Players, and the script [edited by Amelia Marriette is] fast-paced and lively".
Anon, Malvern Gazette, 2005.
Adaptations of Classics for Children
In 2011, 2012 and 2013, I adapted three classic works: "Alice in Wonderland", "The Secret Garden" and "The Wind in the Willows." All of the adaptations were commissioned by Malvern Theatre Players and were produced at the Forum Theatre in the January post-Christmas season. The large casts gave actors with experience a chance to share their knowledge and gave first-time actors opportunities to learn new skills. Members of the local community were involved: Worcester University designed and made all the costumes. Local children took on roles as extras. All were directed by Chris Bassett, and the artwork for the back-projected graphics was created by Amy Riches.
WIND IN THE WILLOWS is BACK this July 2023 - an outdoor performance in Priory Park - Follow this link to book your tickets: The Wind in the Willows in Priory Park - Malvern Theatres (malvern-theatres.co.uk)
Radio Play
Point Blank
My first play for radio "Point Blank" was broadcast on Riviera FM Radio on Wednesday 6th June 2012. It was also broadcast on Soundart Radio, Dartington on 11 November 2012.
Point Blank takes place on the Western Front in France during the First World War; 1977 - the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee - and the interwar years in England and Germany. It is based on the tragic true story of one professional soldier's utter disillusionment. This led him to save the life on one German Corporal. That German Corporal became the Chancellor of Germany. That German Corporal was Adolf Hitler.
"Point Blank" was brilliant from concept, writing and production values. It was as good as any BBC play I have heard and better than some."
Martin Foster, Founder Riviera FM Radio.
"Congratulations. An ambitious but well-crafted piece. Get it onto Radio 4!"
Richard Fowler, A listener from Halifax, via email.
TO LISTEN TO POINT BLANK as it was broadcast on Riviera FM Radio in 2012. Click on the arrow below.
Do you need to hire a Costume?
Malvern Theatre Players have the most wonderful costume hire department. Please visit their website for more information or phone 01684 569011 or email Chris Bassett chrisb_mtp@yahoo.co.uk please write COSTUME HIRE to in the subject line https://www.coachhousetheatre.co.uk/mtp-costume-props-hire/
