live literature
Work as a director, mainly of live literature productions, has become central to Mark Hewitt's creative activity. He began directing in 2006 through a 'Cultural Leadership Bursary' awarded by 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 crafted live literature 'shows'. An article about the bursary - ('Directing Live Literature') - can be seen on the NALD website. A first directing project, linked to the bursary, was Facing the Public, with Irish poet Martina Evans, presented as a scratch performance at the Lewes Live Literature Festival 2007. Subsequent directing work include Dementia Diaries by Anglo-Polish writer Maria Jastrzębska, Weight: three stories about secrets by Catherine Smith, The Pied Piper of Londinium (co-directed with John Agard for Crosspath Theatre), Altered Egos by Bernadette Cremin and Petrol by Martina Evans.
Martina Evans, rehearsal at Westgate Chapel, Lewes (2006) / Catherine Smith performing in Weight (2010)
Below: Poster for café performance of Dementia Diaries (2009)
