A Sydenham Damerel writer has co-written a new soap to be performed in Plymouth. Called ?Janners: The Soap?, the drama is based in a fictional pub called the Sailor?s Head. It will be performed by a mixed professional and amateur cast at the Barbican Theatre from September 14 to 16. Jane Newton Chance ? who was born and raised in Plymouth before moving to the West Devon village ? has co-written the new venture with fellow professional writer Hugh Janes, with input from a group called Waterfront Writers, who write for pleasure. Jane said the idea came out of a writers? meeting, where ideas were bounced around. ?We were moaning that no-one wanted anything new writing and no-one wanted to go to the theatre any more. They preferred to stay at home and watch soaps. So we thought we?d write one!? she said. There will be audience input to make it interactive, with each audience being invited to contribute a storyline at the end of each episode. ?We thought a Plymouth Eastenders would be great; the city is full of wonderful characters! And Plymouth people tend to embrace anything about them,? Jane said. Beryl Cook has given permission for one of her paintings to be used in publicity material and Plymouth Gin is sponsoring the venture. Further details and tickets are available from the Barbican Theatre box office on 01752 267131.
