Nurturing new writers

AIMED at nurturing a new generation of writers with different voices and visions, Instant Café Theatre’s (ICT) Firstworks programme is, best of all, it’s free and open to the public.

“We are constantly looking for anyone who wants to write for theatre,” says Jo Kukathas, programme artistic director and dramaturge. “The only condition is that the writers must be committed, patient and willing to invest time.” Associate director and dramaturg, Zalfian Fuzi adds: “These are people with something to say, who want to express themselves about things that they feel strongly about and are interested in exploring these issues and ideas.” The programme was initiated in 2003 and its first production, Flies And Foreigners by Ridzwan Othman, won a Cameronian Arts Award for best script in 2005. In November 2006 and June 2007, the works-in-progress of Arun Subramaniam, Animah Kosai, Shanon Shah, Raha Yusoff and Ridzwan Othman were presented in workshop readings. “Shanon’s first play, Air Con, took two years in the making,” says Kukathas. Air Con, staged recently, received rave reviews, prompting ICT to plan a restaging early next year.

For details, call 03-79602214 (ICT), email firstworks@instantcafetheatre.com or visit www.instantcafetheatre.com