Waikato

It's great here. Love the University. Hamilton has its charms. Went on a river cruise, plus wondered round Hamilton Gardens and the museum. Latter was very informative on the history, but felt pretty ashamed at what the Brits did in taking land from the Maoris. They seem such an artistic race. Have been hearing some music and seeing the art. Hoping may meet a Maori playwright (Alber Bensz - he has some Dutch ancestry apparently) later.

'Writing and Creating Drama' course York Uni Jan '10

I said I'd put up details of this course I'm tutoring in the new year. See below and please mention to anyone who might be interested:

"Writing and Creating Drama", University of York, Heslington, 6 Monday evenings from 25 Jan 2010 7-9pm (£36/concessions). To enrol, call the Centre for Lifelong Learning 01904 328473 or email Hannah Lyus on hjl502@york.ac.uk

The course will be held at Alcuin College on York University's main Heslington Campus and will teach how to put a play together, whilst having fun doing so. It will cover structure and drama-writing techniques, exploring forms like monologue and duologue, with guidance given on completing a full-length play. Focus will be on stage (looking at work by such as Alan Bennett and outlets like Edinburgh Fringe) but it will also reference radio and TV. It is suitable for beginners or those wishing to consolidate existing experience. To round off the course, it is hoped to arrange staged script-in-hand performances of work by those students who wish it, by actors from York Settlement Players before a live audience.

Mumbai Playwrights' Conference

My report on attending 8th International Women Playwrights Conference in Mumbai in Nov is now on my website and can be read there if interested -
http://www.helenshay.originationinsite.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi