‘Quickest theatre festival’ to hit Wolverhampton

14/48 Wolverhampton is landing at the Arena Theatre tomorrow (FRI) and Saturday and is set to showcase 14 plays over a 48-hour period.

It is the Wolverhampton satellite of the world’s quickest theatre festival. As a project, 14/48 aims to engage new audiences and provide a space to develop both emerging and experienced artists - a goal shared by The Arena Theatre, on Wulfruna Street in the city centre.

The festival is the brainchild of Jodi-Paul Wooster, who hatched the initial plans whilst working at South Lake Union, Seattle in 1996. After 16-plus years, the festival has gone global and visits Wolverhampton as part of the University of Wolverhampton’s Artsfest.

During the two days, 14 plays will be written, directed, scored, designed, rehearsed and performed within 48 hours - all from start to finish. A team of 75 artists from across the Midlands, the UK and Seattle are engaged in the festival, producing seven premiere plays per evening. They are challenged to simply create, while trusting their fellow artists to create.

Neil Reading, producer of 14/48 Wolverhampton, said: “14/48 allows us to give local emerging artists an opportunity to demonstrate their skills against the clock. The 14/48 family spans across the Atlantic and throughout the country allowing collaboration to happen outside the parameters of the festival.

"We are proud that the network developed at 14/48 Wolverhampton in 2015 and 2016 has helped many of the artists gain professional work hosted at The Arena Theatre and across the region.”

Local businesses will provide food and drink for the artists throughout - including The Hungry Bistro, Uppal’s and Bodrum Delight - while Sacre Brew, a local microbrewery based in Wolverhampton, have brewed a unique 14/48 Wolverhampton beer that will be served throughout the festival and available to purchase.

Performances begin at 8pm and 10.30pm tomorrow and Saturday, priced at £5 to £7 per show or £8 to £10 for both nights booked together. Tickets are on sale now from www.arena.wlv.ac.uk or by calling the box office 01902 321321.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/1448wolves or follow @1448wolves on Twitter.