The Mono Box & Apatan Productions Present RESET THE STAGE: 7 New Monologues Filmed In Empty London Theatres

THE MONO BOX in collaboration with APATAN PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS RESET THE STAGE

7 NEW FILMED MONOLOGUES  WRITTEN BY 7  DIVERSE EMERGING WRITERS PERFORMED ON THE STAGES OF 7 EMPTY LONDON THEATRES 

The Mono Box is delighted to announce RESET THE STAGE, a collection of 7 filmed monologues written by 7 emerging, ethnically diverse writers performed by established actors on the empty stages of 7 London theatres in lockdown will stream live online on Thursday 17th June at 7.30pm.

This series of short films featuring actors Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Star Wars: Rogue One, Sex Education), Ken Nwosu (Killing Eve, Sticks & Stones) and Danny Kirrane (Don’t Forget the Driver, Peterloo) The evening will be introduced by Patrons of The Mono Box, Sir Derek Jacobi, Youssef Kerkour, Susan Wokoma and James Norton. All ticket sales will raise money for the continual work of the company nurturing and providing opportunities to emerging theatre talent. 

RESET THE STAGE was created during COVID-19 as a platform for ethnically diverse writers' voices to be heard at a time when we need them the most. Through mentorship with leading playwrights including Duncan Macmillan, Alice Birch, Lucy Prebble and Theresa Ikoko these 7 young writers have been encouraged to speak boldly about where they are and where they would like to be. All the pieces have been directed by Roberta Zuric, who was part of The Mono Box’s PLAYSTART new writing programme in 2018 and was mentored by Ned Bennett. RESET THE STAGE also partnered with creator of photographic series Our Empty Theatre - Helen Murray. 

QUOTES 

'After the events of last summer, and in response to the lack of opportunities for emerging talent during Covid-19, we got to work. We invested in 7 ethnically diverse writers from our PLAYSTART new writing scheme, offering them a commission, mentorship, actors, a theatre and a film crew to help realise their vision. All in lockdown, when the theatres were empty. The films within RESET THE STAGE have been achieved to an exceptionally high standard, by a small but mighty team. We are so excited to share them with the world and to show what can happen when new voices are given a platform to showcase their work.' Polly Bennett and Joan Iyiola, Co-Founders of The Mono Box 

'I love The Mono Box. They are a lifeline to young creatives, offering inspiration, practical support, and opportunities.' Duncan Macmillan (RESET Writer Mentor & writer Trigonometry, People, Places and Things) 

THE PIECES: 

THE MADNESS written by Dipo Baruwa-Etti, mentored by Alice Birch

Performed by Sharon Duncan-Brewster at Almeida Theatre

An actress breaks into an empty theatre, where she is forced to confront her relationship with fiction, reality, and how their overlap has impacted her life.

SCREAMS written by Kiran Benawra, mentored by Duncan Macmillan

Performed by Thalissa Teixeira at Arcola Theatre

Grieving the start, middle and end of her first meaningful romantic relationship, a woman struggles to let out her true emotions surrounding the break-up.

DANIEL written by Charles Entsie, mentored by Nathaniel Martello-White

Performed by Ken Nwosu at Bush Theatre

Set within the bounds of a toilet cubicle, a man in a moment of existential crisis finds himself reliving what’s been and what could be.

JOY written by Roberta Livingston, mentored by Theresa Ikoko

Performed by Joan Iyiola at Young Vic

It's a Saturday night in East London and a recently dumped Joy is at a rave with her girls. But when she's pulled in by an alluring woman on the dancefloor her night takes an unexpected turn. 

SHARIA’S LAW written by maatin, mentored by Inua Ellams

Performed by Shane Zaza at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre 

A man looks back on past encounters as he contemplates his relationship to faith and to the theatre.

RUSH written by Sid Sagar, mentored by Bijan Sheibani 

Performed by Danny Kirrane at Southwark Playhouse

After a roadside altercation, Chris prepares to face the legal consequences and ponders the events which led him to this moment. Rush asks what it is to be good in a world that feels increasingly divided

CYNTHIA written by Vivan Xie, mentored by Lucy Prebble

Performed by Isabella Laughland at Soho Theatre

As she struggles to form an online tribute to her deceased childhood friend, a young woman must reconcile her past actions and the complicated relationship they shared. 

LISTINGS / TICKET INFORMATION: 

DATE: Thursday 17th June

TIME: 7.30pm 

TICKETS: Limited £10 Early Bird tickets on sale Friday 21st May 

General Admission, £16

Generous Admission, £30

TO BOOK

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About The Mono Box
The Mono Box is a not-for-profit arts organisation co-founded by Joan Iyiola (actress, writer and producer) and Polly Bennett (director, movement director and choreographer). The Mono Box offers actors and theatre-makers affordable, continual training, writing & performing opportunities, free theatre trips and access to a unique collection of 4,000 play texts, donated by industry professionals. It is a powerful community and has become a go-to resource for artists navigating this challenging industry. The Mono Box lost its rehearsal space due to Covid and is fundraising for the securement of the company’s continual work. 

Apatan Productions was co-founded by Joan Iyiola in 2018 and is a TV and FILM production company based in London. Joan co-wrote, produced and acted in DỌLÁPỌ̀ IS FINE which was shot under Bumble’s Female Film Force Fund. The film premiered at American Black Film Festival where it won the 2020 HBO Short Film Competition. It has since been acquired by Netflix & HBO and was longlisted for a BAFTA in 2021. Apatan has a number of TV projects in development, including a commission from ITV.