Playwright and scriptwriter, Amanda Whittington
Face to Facebook
Amanda Whittington explains why she set up a Facebook group for her play, Be My Baby
Of all your plays, Be My Baby seems to have had the most productions – any thoughts as to why that's the case?
It’s hard to say for sure as its longevity has come as a surprise to me. It was one of the first plays I wrote and Soho Theatre originally put it on for a week, which I thought was as far as it would go. I had absolutely no idea it would still be around more than ten years later. I think it’s something to do with the subject matter: a mother giving up a child is one of the most powerful dramatic situations you can have. It’s quite a simple play in that sense but perhaps that’s its strength. The fact that it’s set in 1964 means it hasn’t really dated and it has six strong roles for women, which I think has marked it out.
It's also widely studied at schools - did that start soon after the first production? Again, why this particular play?
I first became aware of it when Soho took the play out on tour, which was a couple of years after the first production. Someone in a talkback remarked on the fact it was an ‘A’ level Theatre Studies recommended text, which I didn’t know at the time. It’s since gone onto the GCSE syllabus too, which is largely due to the publisher Nick Hern who really got behind the play and marketed it brilliantly. Unmarried mothers is a subject teenagers can relate to but, again, I think it appeals to schools because it’s a play with six female parts and the majority of drama students are girls. Unfortunately, all-women plays are still a rarity and I think Be My Baby has grown in that vacuum.
Why did you decide to set up a Facebook group for the play?
At certain times of the year, I get daily emails from students studying the play and they all ask similar questions about character, design and research. Often, I’d receive an email from one student and when I’d replied, I’d get five more from the same group all asking about their characters! I’m happy to help but answering each one individually was time-consuming. I also wanted to guide them away from thinking I had all the answers and encourage them to think for themselves. I felt the students could help each other just as effectively and Facebook seemed the obvious place for them to do it.
How did you go about it?
It was very simple to set up the group, in fact it took about ten minutes (see 'I'm in Be by Baby'). I posed notes on character, uploaded photos of past productions so students could see how other companies had addressed design and costume, and started a dialogue on the Wall to encourage them to talk to one another about how they’ve tackled various aspects of production. I then invited students who’d contacted me to join and put a link to the group on my website, which brought in lots of members. I also asked professional actors and directors who had worked on the play to join, as I felt they’d have a contribution to make. It was all designed to answer students’ questions, let them pool information and keep them posted on whatever would broaden their knowledge. So I’ve been able to let them know about a recent production in Durham and the repeat of the Radio Four version of the play.
Do you feel that it's worked well?
I think it’s worked brilliantly and the feedback on the site backs that up. It’s great for each school to feel they’re part of a wider network of students studying the play and for girls playing the different characters to see how other students have approached them. I’ve found teachers are using it too. It’s cut down on the time I spend on emails but I really enjoy making my contribution to the group discussions. It’s fascinating to see who’s out there and hear what they’re saying about the play. The one thing I don’t do is accept Friend requests from students, as this would bring them into my personal network which I want to keep separate. If they send questions to my Facebook Inbox, I answer them publicly on the group page.
Presumably each year there will be a new set of students putting on productions so the community can grow and grow. Is that what you're hoping for?
Yes, definitely. The group has only been running for a few months and I’m sure some of the current members will drop away when they leave school but hopefully, others will take their place. And their contribution will be permanently on the group page for new students to refer to. I wish I’d been able to set it up years ago but the opportunity wasn’t there to do it.
Have you used Facebook or other tools to interact directly with audiences as well as students / performers?
This is the first time I’ve used Facebook in this way but I’d certainly consider it for other things. The other tool I use is my website, which I set up myself on a very easy-to-learn piece of software called Freeway Express. It’s simple but it does the job very well. I like having a web presence so audiences, actors and companies can find out more about my work and contact me directly if they want to.
Any plans for anything similar with other plays?
If the need was there, I would. Ladies Day is being widely performed too, particularly by amateur companies but I don’t get as many emails about it, probably because it’s not being studied. Plus, it’s a play for older actresses and I’m sure the Facebook site works because the medium is so familiar and accessible to students. But social networking is developing so rapidly, who knows what opportunities will arise in the future.
back to top