Off The Page is a relaxed night of play readings designed to bring you diverse new writing read by local, professional actors. From established to emerging writers, we have some amazing talent in our community. Every other month you’ll be able to hear brand new work with an opportunity to give the writers your feedback.

May’s reading:

“Autumn Calling” by Gary Bates.

Martin’s had a health scare, retired early and now doesn’t quite know what to do with himself.
Liv is approaching 30 but feels that nothing is sure or secure in her life.

Ash never leaves the house.

When Liv gets a new job, and Martin finds new purpose and passion, tensions arise which threaten to tear the family apart – are we willing to risk losing those we love for something we believe in?

Gary has worked as an actor on stage, screen and in the world of Applied Drama for over 30 years, and recently began writing for stage.

Last year he had two short plays, ‘Vernon’ and ‘The Plague Slayer’, staged as part of the Rapid Write Response scheme at Theatre 503 in Battersea. ‘Autumn Calling’ is his first full-length play.

He is an ex Penge resident, and now lives in nearby Beckenham.

If you have a script you’d like to be considered, please email it to otp@thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk. We accept scripts for theatre, film, TV and radio and whilst we welcome full-length plays, they don’t need to be complete to be considered.

Due to the large volume of submissions we receive, we’re unable to give feedback  – we’ll get in touch if we read something we’d like to present. We then cast professional actors to read your work in front of an audience at one of our events. This is a seated reading, which is followed by a Q&A with the writer and audience, facilitated by one of our team.