All SPOTS scripts are self written.

In the early days this was taken on almost entirely by Phil with help from Ron. It became clear as time went on that it would be great to have a formal group of people dedicated to writing, hence the formation of the Writers Cramps!

Around Easter time we get together to set the plans for the current year. This is when we decide on the story, exchange basic ideas and who might be suitable for which bit and what technicalities it would involve. As a result the basic outline is evolved and we divide the scenes up amongst themselves.

Three of the CRAMPS -Brian, Phil and 'fixed grin Baker' - have an emergency think. Tricky...

Throughout the summer the Cramps produce draft scripts, compare notes and generally thrash the plot into shape. (From Ron's personal experience he can relate that some scenes have been written on a lap top on a sunbed in foreign parts - dedicated folk Spotty people!) The only rules are that it can be suggestive, but not 'blue', and as few 'in' jokes as possible so that friends and family enjoy it too. We always aim to have a joke every three lines! By the end of September we hope to have version 1 of the script to explain to the expectant troupe - but it doesn't stop there!.

Weekly rehearsals begin in October and the script develops as the attendees suggest changes or additional gags, such that the final version is often quite different, and usually much funnier, than the original.

Take a look at some scripts and see what you think!

Cinderella in the woods : The Weakest Link : The Software Shop : NATS PLC : The Training Room

Scripts aren't always written in words - take a look at the 'Stripper' scene from Cinderella 2005!