The Elyse Dodgson Commission for the Middle East
The Royal Court Theatre is the writers’ theatre. It is a leading force in world theatre for energetically cultivating writers- undiscovered, emerging and established. Through the writers, the Royal Court is at the forefront of creating restless, alert, provocative theatre about now. We open our doors to the unheard voices and free thinkers that, through their writing, change our way of seeing.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS AND ELYSE DODGSON
For more than 20 years, the Royal Court’s International Playwrights’ Programme has encouraged emerging writers in all parts of the world to address subjects that they felt were urgent in their societies. In more than 70 countries and over 40 languages writers have felt inspired to write provocative new plays that are responding to our changing world and creating unique works for our times. Some of these writers have worked under incredible hardships in fractured societies. Through long term collaborations, a distinctive body of work exists that has enriched our own theatre culture and the new writing culture in the many countries where the work has taken place. Many international writers have also been brought to London to develop and produce their work.
The Royal Court’s International Playwrights’ Programme was founded and then delivered for more than 20 years by Elyse Dodgson MBE. As the theatre’s International Director, Elyse worked tirelessly and peerlessly to develop long term relationships with writers from countries including Argentina, Brazil, China, Chile, Cuba, France, Germany, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Syria, Turkey, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.
On 23 October 2018 we suffered a devastating loss when, shortly after running a playwriting workshop in Peru, Elyse died suddenly at home. This shock and tragedy was not only felt by her beloved family and everyone at the Royal Court, but also by hundreds of artists all around the world whose voices, talent and stories had been so strongly championed by Elyse for the past two decades.
The Royal Court is deeply committed to continuing Elyse’s work and celebrating her legacy. One of the ways we wish to do this is to commission an international writer in Elyse’s name and memory. In 2019, we would like to commission a writer from the Middle East- a region in which Elyse worked extensively and about which she felt passionately.
THE ROYAL COURT IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Elyse and the Royal Court began working in the Middle East in 1998 with a workshop programme in Palestine. Since then, dozens of new plays have been presented both locally and in London, and more than 15 writers have attended the Royal Court’s International Residency.
Work in Palestine led to extensive work in other countries and in 2007 the first regional new writing project began with 21 writers from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia. After attending the International Residency, Dalia Taha’s play Fireworks was presented to great acclaim at the Royal Court in 2015. From 2013-15, the next phase took place with 15 writers from Syria and Lebanon. As a result, work was presented in Beirut and London and a full production of Syrian writer Liwaa Yazji’s play Goats was presented at the Royal Court in 2017. Work developed on these projects has explored in detail the way lives have been affected by conflict and political upheaval across the region over the last twenty years. In 2018, Elyse began a new programme with 10 young writers in the West Bank and its next phase will continue in February 2019 and beyond.
THE ELYSE DODGSON COMMISSION FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
This year, the Royal Court is raising funds in order to commission an emerging writer from the Middle East. As part of their commission, we will also offer this writer a residency attachment to enable their journey to London and stay for 2-3 months. During this time, the Royal Court’s artistic team will support them to write their commissioned play. Here they can benefit from the theatre’s expertise and resources as well as having a safe, focusing space to write in.
This will be an opportunity for a talented artist from the region to have the full weight and backing of the Royal Court behind them as they develop their craft and hone their playwriting voice. Being able to make this gift in Elyse’s name will be both a celebration and continuation of her work in the Middle East.
To help enable this special opportunity we would be grateful for all contributions of support. To make a gift towards Elyse’s commission you can donate online by clicking the button at the top or bottom of this page.
Once you have made your donation online we will contact you to confirm receipt and to ask if we can claim gift aid on your donation. You can also make your gift via cheque or over the phone. To do so, or to ask any questions please contact Charlotte Christesen, Deputy Development Director at charlottechristesen@royalcourttheatre.com / 020 7565 5060.
Elyse fought fearlessly for the Royal Court, and UK theatre as a whole, to engage with ideas, people and playwriting from across the world. She wholeheartedly believed that everyone who worked on an international project was transformed by the experience. Thank you for helping us to keep this mission and her memory alive.