Three writers. Locked up. Each with a bed and a table. The ransom? A brand-new play.
Monty gives three playwrights a special challenge: remain within the walls of the theatre for an entire week. They are locked up on Monday. In order to buy their way out, they spend five days concentrating exclusively on writing a brand-new play. On Friday, the ransom is paid and they hand the results of a week’s worth of writing to three theatre companies, who draw lots to determine who gets which script. From then on, their plays are entirely in the hands of the actors, who on Sunday evening present a rough staging of their work to the public.
Monty launched this experiment in 2008. In the meantime, the Schrijversgevang ('imprisoned writers’) has turned into a traditional event that gives a boost to Dutch-language plays at the beginning of the cultural season. In September 2021, Monty is organizing the 14th edition.
Theatre maker Manja Topper, publisher Harold Polis and actor/writer Rashif El Kaoui selected three names from 34 entries: Maxine Palit-de Jongh, Mirte Desmeth and Koen Caris. During their detention break, the jury members each take care of a writer. With a talk, advice or extra coffee.
with Maxine Palit-de Jongh, Mirte Desmeth, Koen Caris - jury Manja Topper, Harold Polis, Rashif El Kaoui - production Kultuurfaktorij Monty
