Target reached!
If we meet our target and cover our costs before fringe, all income from ticket sale...
PALS @ EdFringe: Support New Scottish Writing
Grangemouth, Falkirk, United Kingdom
Aim: Scottish gal pals take to the stage! Help us to raise funds to cover fringe costs for the premier of PALS, a new female-led adventure-comedy
PALS is a new Scottish adventure-comedy play telling the story of four crude, chaotic yet completely normal gal pals as they embark on a camping trek in the West of Scotland.
In a bid to escape their lives, have a riotous time and avoid several mental breakdowns, Sadie takes her friends on what should be a wholesome holiday. However, these lassies are completely out of their depths, in more ways than one!
The Story of PALS so far...
Hello there! My name is Mirren Wilson and I'm the writer and producer of PALS. I started writing this script about 7 years ago to create more in-depth roles for women in Scottish Theatre. Within the past year, I've committed to putting the play on stage and realistically, the only way to do that, is to produce the play myself. This is my first time ever producing a show, but I've spent the past year learning how to do this, planning for fringe, saving money, redrafting the script, searching for opportunities and applying for funding.
Rehearsed Reading Fringe Fundraiser - March 2024
I hosted a SOLD OUT rehearsed reading in Edinburgh to raise funds and interest in preparation for fringe. We had amazing feedback and support, which has been fundamental in the plays' development.
Audience Feedback:
- "I cannot remember the last time I laughed for that long, whilst being so moved by such intelligent and entertaining writing"
- "Genuine, authentic, touching and incredibly funny."
- "It's brilliant to see three-dimensional, comedic women on stage!"
Research and Development with F-Bomb Theatre - May 2024
Using the funds generated from the fundraiser, I was able to reach out and work with Rachel O'Regan who conducted some dramaturgy on the play. This was something I wanted to do to improve the text, work on character development and pull out the plays themes.
Open Casting Call - May 2024
After announcing a collaboration with Higgledy Piggledy Productions, we put out an open casting call to meet represented and unrepresented performers from all over Scotland. As a new and emerging theatre company, we were completely overwhelmed with the response for 2 roles!
Scratch Night in London, with Slainte Theatre - May 2024
To try out some of the script in front of a London audience, I teamed up with Slainte Theatre, who specialise in Scottish and Irish theatre. After being unsuccessful in yet another funding application, I was feeling a bit defeated. This was the boost I needed to keep me motivated in the last push before fringe - their excitement made me excited. And I am truly grateful for their positivity.
Soho Theatre Labs - May-July 2024
As it's my first-time producing, this programme has been nothing short of a godsend! I feel so fortunate to have received a bursary to attend the Edinburgh Lab as 1 of only 2 Scottish companies. I've been attending weekly sessions on press releases, marketing, risk assessments, managing rehearsals, coverage, reviews and logistics. Their support and openness to inspire emerging artists is unmatched.
Where is PALS at now?
I've just finished the 4th draft of PALS, and am counting down the days to Fringe. Everything I have achieved so far has been self-funded with my own savings and the money raised at the rehearsed reading.
What will the money raised from the Crowdfunder go towards?
- General fringe costs - Just to give you an idea, the venue alone costs just over £4k.
- Paying for travel for the cast - We're all Scottish, but Scotland is a big place, so a few of us are travelling into Edinburgh daily. This costs on average £10 for a return.
- Paying our BSL interpreter fairly - It's important for us to promote accessibility, even in our low budget world, so we'd love to be able to pay our BSL interpreter a fair wage of £150 per day.
PALS is an authentic story that details life for women in their 20’s. It was written by a young Scottish woman FOR young Scottish women, and we're long overdue our spot on the main stages.
Higgledy Piggledy Productions
An emerging Scottish Theatre Company specialising in local-Scottish stories, female-led work and Gaelic language. Creative director, Tanya MacDonald is originally from the Isle of Skye, so not only is she directing PALS, but she’s our Gaelic advisor to make sure our Gaelic is tip top!
Thank you for reading and we hope to see you in August!
Mirren and the Gals of PALS x
This project successfully funded on 24th July 2024