Colloquium

Colloquium

by Katherine Stockton

directed by Charles Douglas

The best university in the world. Look closely, see the cracks in old stone.

"Let me ask you a question: if this biscuit was the existence of an absolute truth, would you risk it for a chocolate biscuit?"

"I prefer ginger nuts."

As application interviews become nonsensical, seminars descend into chaos, and stuffy professors rule, one young student must learn to juggle dignity with academic success.

Colloquium's fast-paced narrative veers between the lives of academics and academic-hopefuls, all suffering under the regime of pressuring higher education. Meet undergraduate applicants at their mind-boggling first interviews, unsupervised seminars going off the rails, a PhD student's tragic academic review, and a counselling session for a Post Doctorate student who cannot cope with their pub-quiz winning step dad.

Colloquium follows the Alan Bennett school of thought. It, too, balances the conflicting hopes of education: to teach for the exam, for success, or to teach for life. Colloquium investigates the role that our most ancient universities have to play in that balance.

"Snog, marry, avoid: the father, the son, or the holy ghost?"

Written by Katherine Stockton, winner of the 2020 Snoo Wilson Prize for Scriptwriting, Colloquium found its roots at University, in its fetal form during her Masters year studying at the University of East Anglia.

Charles Douglas, director of God of Carnage at The Questors Theatre, directs this piece, working closely with Stockton to tease out the humor from the intimidating backdrop of Renaissance institutions.

"Is God getting too... relatable?"

Colloquium was recently long listed for the BOLD Playwrights Scheme.

Follow cast & creatives:

https://twitter.com/Katie_Stockton

https://twitter.com/mollyharfar

https://twitter.com/CPLDouglas

Thursday 7th October at 7pm

Friday 8th October at 7pm

Tickets: £10 | Concessions: £7

Running Time: 45 minutes

Reference to suicide, 12+