Free drama writing workshop will trawl childhood memories

Budding writers can join a free workshop aimed at tapping childhood memories as a source for drama.

The morning session at Sheringham Little Theatre on Saturday July 6 is inspired by the plot of the 1950s story The Go Between, the 1971 film of which was shot in North Norfolk and Norwich. In it young Leo Colston, who is the messenger in a forbidden Victorian love affair which spans the class divide, finds a diary and objects in an attic, which leads him to remember and re-evaluate his childhood. Workshop leader Ben Musgrave, a creative writing lecturer at the University of East Anglia, said: “It is aimed at people aged 60-plus, and will explore people’s childhood memories and mementoes to go back in time to find moments of personal transformation and triumph.” The project is also linked to plans for a new adaptation of the Go Between which will see a professional touring cast joined by community “chorus” members from each location visited – also aimed at people aged over 60 – as well as some of the writing from the workshop. Ben said the research and development of the new play would be happening this autumn with a view to staging in either summer 2025 or 2026.

The Go Between was set in Norfolk by writer L P Hartley. The 1971 film, which starred Julie Christie, Edward Fox, Alan Bates and Michael Redgrave, was shot at Heydon, Melton Constable Hall and Norwich including the Cathedral, Tombland and the railway station.

Ben has been involved with another drama using a community chorus in Norwich for Indigo Giant, a story he wrote about the British Raj exploitation of the Bengali land and people in furtherance of the quest for blue fabric dye.

The workshop runs from 10-1, with booking advised by emailing boxoffice@sheringhamlittletheatre.com stating name, and phone number.