live literature
Work as a director / producer of 'live literature productions' has become increasingly central to Mark C. Hewitt's creative activity. He began directing in 2006 through a 'Cultural Leadership Bursary' awarded by the the National Association of Literature Development (NALD) for the purposes of exploring the role of director within the sphere of performed literature, and in particular, the emerging phenomenon of the 'live literature show'. This professional development bursary allowed a period of engagement with directing, sitting in on rehearsals with established theatre directors and studying and researching contemporary practice. An article about the experience - ('Directing Live Literature') - can be seen by NALD members on the NALD website.
A first production, linked to the bursary, was Facing the Public, featuring the poetry and prose of Irish writer, Martina Evans (née Cotter), a first performance of which was given as part of the Lewes Live Lit Festival, October 2007. Using words and photos, the piece took the form of a multi-media scrapbook, or in Martina's own words: "a detailed vision of Ireland that goes between the world of my parents and grandparents in the 1920’s and my own childhood in the 1970's".
Above: Martina Evans in rehearsal at Westgate Chapel, Lewes, during 2006
Below left: the young Martina in her Communion Dress / Below right: the Black & Tans in Ireland in the 1920s
Subsequent live literature productions have been developed through Lewes Live Lit, Blank Productions and The Literary Cabaret Company.