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Marie Cooper Secures Second Place in the Cooper Prize 2024

The results of the Cooper Prize 2024, hosted by the Norwich Writers’ Circle, were announced on the evening of Tuesday 2nd April 2024, revealing Marie Cooper’s accomplishment in securing second place with her entry, Borrowed Time.

What is the Cooper Prize

The Cooper Prize, is a biennial competition focused on writing short stories featuring strong male characters. The Cooper Prize alternates yearly with the Ivy Ferrari competition, which challenges writers to create works with compelling female leads.

2024 Cooper Prize Winners

This year’s Cooper Prize called for ghost stories under 2,000 words with a prominent male protagonist. The winners are:

First Place: The Factory by Jeni Lawes
Second Place: Borrowed Time by Marie Cooper
Third Place: The Eleventh Tread by Paul Taylor

Additionally, The Light at the End of the Pier penned by Michael Giddings earned the accolade of ‘Highly Commended,’ a testament to its captivating narrative.

Reflecting on her achievement, Cooper expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition.

Find out more about Norwich Writer’s Circle

Norwich Writer’s Circle meet twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays from September through July, at Chantry Hall in Norwich and online, respectively.

For more information or to inquire about membership, interested writers can contact the membership secretary at [email protected].

Results of the Cooper Prize 2024

East of England Playwrights Selected for HighTide Writers Group

Six East of England playwrights chosen for the HighTide Writers Group

Norwich, UK – March 2, 2024 – Marie Cooper is one of Six East of England playwrights to have been chosen for the prestigious HighTide Writers Group this year.

The 12-month programme run by HighTide and leading playwrights Juliet Gilkes Romero (The Whip, RSC) and Tim Price (Nye, National Theatre) helps playwrights at all career stages develop their craft.

Writers were handpicked for the competitive program based on writing samples and accomplishments. This year’s cohort also includes Great Yarmouth-based playwright and poet Clare Currie, Suffolk writer and performer Ted Marriott, Ipswich playwright Anoop Singh, Norwich writer and producer Rosa Torr, and Essex artist and playwright Esohe Uwadiae.

Over the 12 months, the playwrights receive a £750 bursary, are paired with professional mentors, introduced to theatres, granted R&D time with actors, and have extracts presented at the HighTide Rising, Festival of new plays.

“I’m still a bit in shock that I was chosen, to be honest. I feel so grateful and incredibly excited for this amazinv opportunity to develop my writing with guidance from these exceptional mentors.” said Marie Cooper.

The program was recently featured in The Stage:

The HighTide Writers Group programme is supported by The Foyle Foundation and The Noel Coward Foundation.

Marie Cooper to Return to Fairground Frights at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

We are thrilled to announce that Marie has been selected to perform at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach’s award-winning spooky Halloween event, Fairground Frights, for the second year running!

After a successful audition, Marie will be returning to the popular theme park to terrify visitors as a scare actor on one of the event’s frightening attractions. We won’t reveal which character Marie will be portraying or where she’ll be lurking – but rest assured, it’s going to be a night to remember!

Fairground Frights promises to deliver an evening of heart-pumping fear and excitement, with creepy rides, scare mazes, terrifying attractions and live performances designed to send shivers down your spine.

So mark your calendars and get ready to face your darkest fears at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach’s Fairground Frights, taking place from 25th to 29th October from 5.30 pm to 9 pm.

Tickets for Fairground Frights are now available, and advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach website. https://pleasure-beach.co.uk/news-events/fairground-frights/

We’ll see you there…if you survive!

Marie Cooper Cast as Sarah, in Heartwarming Audio Play: ‘Julian of Norwich: An Audio Drama Celebration

Anticipation is building as the upcoming UK audio play, “Julian of Norwich: An Audio Drama Celebration,” as it announces its stellar cast. Among the talented actors taking part in this heartwarming production is Marie Cooper, who will portray the role of Sarah, Julian’s devoted maid. The play, currently in production, is expected to captivate audiences with its enchanting storytelling and authentic performances.

“Julian of Norwich: An Audio Drama Celebration” is a poignant tribute to the life and teachings of Julian of Norwich, the medieval Christian mystic and theologian. The play has garnered significant interest, as evidenced by its successful crowdfunding campaign, which highlights the community’s support for local theatre projects.

Jill Korn, the driving force behind this production, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “We have put together a very talented team of local actors to bring this story to life. They are Zanna Foley-Davies, Marie Cooper, Jamie Willimott, Sophie Blythe, Simon Michael-Morgan and Joanna Swan. We can’t wait to hear them as they record in a sound studio in Norwich in August.”

The creative team, consisting of talented writers, sound designers, and musicians, is working tirelessly to create an immersive experience that will transport listeners to the world of medieval England, where Julian’s profound insights and spiritual journey unfold.

As the play progresses toward recording and release, Marie shared her thoughts on the role: “I am delighted to be part of this production and bring Sarah’s unwavering loyalty and care for Julian to life in this touching audio play.”

“Julian of Norwich: An Audio Drama Celebration” is set to be part of the Julian Exhibition The exhibition will take place at St John’s Timberhill and St Stephen’s, Rampant Horse Street, Norwich, from October 18 to November 16 2023, with the title ‘Love Is the Meaning’ and will explore the dynamic interface between words and pictures in art. The audio play will also be available free to listen to online so that it will be accessible to those who are housebound or visually impaired to enjoy this heartwarming tale of Julian.

To learn more about ‘The Glad Giver’ please visit Marie’s portfolio where you can find more about the play, the cast and discover why this production is not to be missed.

More about The Glad Giver

The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood: 3 – 8 July 2023

The Welkin at Sewell Barn Theatre July 2023

I am super excited to perform in the stage play ‘The Welkin’ by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by John Holden and Sabrina Poole at Sewell Barn Theatre in Norwich from the 3rd to the 8th of July 2023. The play was originally directed by Jez Pike and performed on a couple of dates in October 2022. Unfortunately due to a few members of the cast falling ill with Covid, the show had to be postponed to 2023.

What is The Welkin about?

“Rural Suffolk, 1759. As the country waits for Halley’s Comet, Sally Poppy is sentenced to hang for a heinous murder. When she claims to be pregnant, a jury of twelve matrons are taken from their housework to decide whether she’s telling the truth, or simply trying to escape the noose.

With only midwife Lizzy Luke prepared to defend the girl, and a mob baying for blood outside, the matrons wrestle with their new authority, and the devil in their midst.”

The show contains strong language and adult themes.

When is The Welkin?

Dates for the show run from Monday 3rd July to Saturday 8th of July 2023.

Ticket Prices

Full: £12.00
Concessions: £11.00

Where can I buy Tickets for The Welkin?

You can book in advance by ordering tickets from the Ticketsource website or you can buy tickets on the door at Sewell Barn Theatre. It is advisable to book in advance.

Book tickets from Ticketsource

Parking at Sewell Barn Theatre

The theatre shares its car park with a sports centre and on Thursday evenings the running club takes up many of the parking spaces. So, if you visit the theatre on a Thursday evening, it might be worth leaving a little earlier to ensure that you get a parking space.