four actors sat in a theatre
(Back row) Tomos Brace-Jenkins and Emily Rose James (Front row) Molly Ritchie and Todd Bell The four actors were given the script this morning and have until around 7pm to learn their lines and perfect their performance
Max Burtong
Max Burton started writing the play at 8pm last night and handed it to the actors this morning

A team of young actors are spending today on stage at the Congress Theatre rehearsing their lines for a play that they will put on tonight (2 Sept 2022).

Max Burton, 19, an aspiring filmmaker, started to write the script at 8pm last night and handed it over to Rachel Hamilton, the play director, at 8am this morning. She has been working with four actors and stage throughout the day ready for the audience to start arriving from 6.30pm. The production is 20-minutes long which means it will have gone from pen-to-paper-to-stage within 24-hours. 

Max has been offered a half-scholarship on the BA Filmmaking Course at London Film Academy. He has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the cost of his studies as although he said he’s from a “low income, single parent background” he has been unable to get a loan.

The former West Mon and Tring Park school pupil was a member of the Congress Youth Theatre and said he was really pleased to be able to do this event in the venue’s 50th anniversary year.

Audience members can also get tickets for a raffle with a range of prizes including a glamping weekend and vouchers for local businesses in Cwmbran including Boswells Cafe and Tiffins Indian Restaurant.

Get tickets to the performance

Tickets are free for tonight’s performance. Text 07970 816394 with your name and how many tickets you want.

The cast

  • Tomos Brace-Jenkins
  • Emily Rose James
  • Molly Ritchie
  • Todd Bell

The crew

  • Rachel Hamilton- Play director
  • Jonathan Germanos- Documentary director
  • Jordan Davies- Producer
  • Jake Harries- Technician

VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes tour of tonight’s show

Max Burton takes us onto the stage at the Congress Theatre where he talks about the 24-hour challenge, the team helping him put it on and gives a sneaky overview of what the play is about.