UNEMPLOYED Bradford people are being invited to help write and perform a hard-hitting new play to be staged at seats of political power at home and abroad.

Award-winning Bradford-based theatre company Common Wealth has received funding to produce a new play which aims to give a voice to those affected by Government cuts.

Although the play has yet to be written, it will be performed at Bradford City Hall in October and later the European Parliament in Brussels.

It might even be shown at the Houses of Parliament.

Producers are looking for people aged from 18 upwards, particularly those who have experience of being out of work.

They are keen to find someone with a powerful voice and something to say.

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The idea is that the newly-recruited actors write and perform the material themselves.

The play, called The Deal Versus the People, will explore how the people most affected by cuts relate to political decisions.

Auditions are being held across Bradford next month in a range of venues from Girlington to Holme Wood.

No acting experience is needed and those chosen will be paid Equity rates for actors.

Funding has come from Bradford Council, Arts Council England and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Evie Manning, co-artistic director of Common Wealth, said: "We are looking for people aged 18 and above who are not normally represented in politics, have never performed professionally before and are of all backgrounds and ages.

"We are particularly interested in people who have experience of unemployment.

"Our main objective as a company is to create theatre for people who may not usually see it. We are passionate about making theatre which uses the voices of real people in real situations."

Common Wealth has been a successful theatre company since its establishment in 2008.

Its most recent play No Guts, No Heart, No Glory was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it won a Scotsman Fringe First Award.

It was based on interviews with Muslim female boxers and performed to critical acclaim by five young Muslim female performers from Bradford - Seherish Mahmood, Saira Tabasum, Nayab Dib, Freyaa Ali and

Mariam Rashid.

No Guts, No Heart, No Glory will now tour throughout Europe and Australia.

The audition workshops for The Deal Versus the People will take place as follows:

  • Saturday, July 11 (2-5pm) Freedom Studios, 34 Peckover Street, Little Germany, BD1 5BD.
  • Monday, July 13 (10am-12) Midland Road Children's Centre, Bateman Street (off Thorncliffe Road/off Manningham Lane), BD8 7DJ.
  • Monday, July 13 (5pm-6.45) Girlington Advice Centre, Girlington Road, BD8 9NN.
  • Tuesday, July 14 (10am-12) Community Works, Undercliffe Lane, BD3 0DW.
  • Tuesday, July 14 (12.30-2.30) The Gateway, 45 Thackeray Road, BD10 0JR.
  • Wednesday, July 15 (10am-noon) TFD Youth Centre Broadstone Way, Holmewood, BD4 9BU.
  • Wednesday July 15 (2-4) Rockwell Community Centre, 6 Summerfield Road, Thorpe Edge, BD10 8DP.
  • Wednesday July 15 (7pm-9pm) Canterbury Youth Centre, Arum St, BD5 9LE.

For further information contact evie@commonwealththeatre.co.uk