Play by Newham schoolgirl shortlisted in national competition

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Friday, June 1, 2012
6:00 AM

A play written by a Newham schoolgirl is among a dozen shortlisted a national theatre competition.

The Regime, by Mia Smith from St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre, Forest Gate, is one of 12 new 30-minute works shortlisted in the National Theatre’s nationwide New Views competition.

The winning play will be announced in June and performed in Westminster Hall as part of the Arts in Parliament programme on July 11 – the first recorded instance of a play being staged in this historic place.

A three-month programme of visual arts, dance, theatre and digital media, Arts in Parliament runs from June to September.

An annual writing competition for 15 to 19-year-olds, New Views engages with hundreds of young people around the country and encourages them to use theatre as a means of examining contemporary society.

This year, the National Theatre and Parliament have joined together to provide a platform for young people who are writing about the issues that are important to them.

Lyn Brown MP for West Ham, said: “I congratulate Mia for being shortlisted, and commend her for her hard work and creativity. I hope I can look forward to watching her play performed in Parliament in July”.

Playwright Nell Leyshon, who has been working closely with St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre throughout the programme, said: “Working on the New Views project has been wonderful. The young writers have shown real talent and engagement with society, and they have left me inspired and hopeful for the future of playwriting and ideas.”

A total of 175 plays were submitted to this year’s programme.