East Midlands Arts is now Arts Council England, East Mdlands. The information on this page is not necessarily up to date (last updated 2001)

East Midlands
Directory of Writers and Storytellers
Writers' Information Pack
Foreword
Literature Development Officers

REPORTS ON PLAYS

Just for handy reference, here is a list of some important questions to be considered when recommending a script:

1. Is it basically a good story?
2. If it is, are the characters and dialogue equally good?
3. If they are, will it make good radio?
4. If it will, to which spot is it best suited?
5. If the script is viable on all the counts listed above, is it the right length?
6. If not, can it be cut or expanded without artistic loss? If so where?
7. Even if the script is still viable, how might it be improved?
   - Is the beginning sufficiently compelling?
   - Is the cast too big?
   - Does it maintain dramatic tension?
   - Is everything that should be conveyed sufficiently well planted in the dialogue?
8. If it's a good story, well told in radio terms, are there any special problems?
   (eg controversial themes liable to misunderstanding by the audience; foreign settings calling for difficult or expensive casting; technical backgrounds likely to attract criticism etc).
9. If the play passes on all these counts, it is obviously a strong possibility for broadcast.
10. How could the author make it better?

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