Exclusive :The Zeitgeist

Zia Trench, Artistic Director of Zeitgeist Theatre

London theatre is seen by many as a posh night out: a couple of G and T’s during the interval; maybe seeing a Hollywood star treading the boards; some quality entertainment. But the city’s theatre scene isn’t just about the West End. London Fringe and Off West –End theatre is burning bright and creating relevant, fresh work that ( wait for it ) actually makes you use the old grey matter. Crucially, it is all about issues that face us right now. At the forefront of this new ‘think theatre’ is Zeitgeist Theatre, who produce and stage new plays that ‘ focus on and challenge modern times.’ Headed up by Artistic Director and political journalist, novelist and playwright Zia Trench the company – which stages plays in top fringe venues including the Kings Head in Islington - is fast becoming the hub of political, controversial and must-see work. We caught up with her.

What made you come up with the idea for Zeitgeist Theatre?
A quote by a theatre director that said ‘Theatre can change the world not just interpret it.’
 
How long has it taken to get it up and running?
Four months
 
You say on your website that you put on unpretentious, relevant plays. Do you feel that much of London theatre is pretentious and irrelevant?
No, not at all. I review for the British Theatre Guide and it’s rare I don’t enjoy a play. I spent a few weeks’ in Edinburgh, meeting passionate, talented people who care about issues, society, politics and it’s people like this I want to surround myself with. That’s all!
 
How do you find new writers and directors?
Talent-scouting, recommendations and agents. For new writers, we’re running a twenty minute script competition in the hope an amazing script will fall into our laps! Actually, one arrived this morning from Finland! Newcomers can submit either through this competition or to the Grand-Slam.
 These are the only two avenues open to newcomers.
 
Are you reaching a new theatre audience?
Accessibility-wise, I want to offer very cheap concessionary tickets but also one performance every two months will be signed for the deaf community. I’m also talking with an amazing charity that helps immigrant children integrate, about mentoring and assisting.
General audience-wise; I think theatre is one of the best places for a controversial and thought-provoking debate about society. TV and Film are expensive and hard to get commissioned/broadcast, books take too long from writing to shelves, papers play safe and/or toe a particular line, music etc is so celebrity/image based and the government has beaten the life out of any meaningful opposition!
Theatre is relatively cheap, relatively unchecked and (I’m probably pushing it here!) writers can be the unofficial opposition and will naturally attract an audience that’s not typically ‘theatre’.
 
Can theatre change minds?
Nobody can change anyone else’s mind but you can certainly set them thinking…
 
Would you like to produce plays for the West End? Or is it better to keep  the shows more intimate?
I would like the West End salary to produce/write for an intimate show on the fringe.
 
What do you think of the West End?
 I think it is a shame they don’t help, support and recognise the fringe since it is the fringe and not the colleges where practitioners learn their trade and cut their teeth.
I have recently written to Michael Attenborough (Almeida Theatre) asking that before curtain up, we have the stage for five minutes to showcase our play due on the fringe.
It’s not that inconceivable, since cinemas show ‘coming soon’ clips before the main film.
If we pull it off, we will change the fortune for everyone putting in huge effort for no money on the fringe.
 
How many submissions do you get per week?
For this month’s Theatre Grand-Slam event I had 45 short scripts and had to pick just 15. I have chosen a real variety that will make this event bizarre, interesting and fun.
 
And who decides which ones to produce?
 It all depends; I have a three week run at the White Bear next year, so the theatre’s Artistic Director and I will decide jointly.
For the regular Kings Head run, I pick writers who are interested in current affairs and have credits behind them, then they write with a director on a play from scratch.
For the Grand-Slam, I’m trying to prioritise writers who live in South London. Often, I’ll pass a script on to my business partner for comments and to other more experienced writers/directors for their superior and valued judgement!
 
Who would you like to work with in the future?
Richard Bean, Mark Ravenhill and David Edgar. I’m on their case to be mentors
 
What's your favourite play and why?
If I say David Edgar, Continental Divide will he feel flattered and become our mentor?
 
What was the last ( non Zeitgeist ) play that you saw and what did you think of it?
 I saw Tena Stivicic’s play ‘fragile’ at the Arcola.
It was beautiful, sad, thoughtful and she’s writing for a Zeitgeist production at the Kings Head in January.
 
What's coming up for Zeitgeist?
Theatre Grand-Slam at the Bedford Theatre in Balham which is a theatrical version of Battle of the Bands and early November we have three twenty minute plays on Thursday to Sunday lunchtime at the Kings head in Islington.
I hope both these events become regular.
 
Theatre Grand Slam, 15 short plays, compete for the title of  Best New Play.
Sunday 28th October at 8pm, Bedford Globe Theatre, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD
See www.zeitgeisttheatre.com


 

• add to del.icio.us
• digg this article!