Peaky - Freeform Writing Weekends
Since 2001, 20-ish enthusiastic members of the uk-freeforms mailing list meet over a weekend (Friday to Sunday) to write a freeform. Or more accurately, three freeforms.
The first time we met, it was a challenge to see if was actually possible to write playable freeforms in a weekend. And we surprised ourselves - the first was ready by Saturday evening. So we played that then - and still played the two on Sunday.
The first was so successful that more have been organised - if you want to join in keep an eye on the uk-freeforms mailing list. (Watch for the codename "Peaky", as that's how we know the weekends!)
Peaky 2010 will be held on the weekend of the 14th/16th May 2010 at Upper Rectory Farm Cottages. http://www.upperrectoryfarmcottages.co.uk/
March 2009, Appleby Magnor
- The Marshenge Project written by Jenny Anderson, Kath Banks, Philippa Dall, Martin Ellis, Rachel England, Roger Gammans, Hanbury Hampden Turner, Steve Hatherley, Su Jolly, Heidi Kaye, Tony Mitton and Janet Young. A government conference at a Norfolk country house during World War Two for 22 players.
- Veterans' Day written by Clare Gardiner, Mike Grace, Alex Helm, Martin Jones, Adrian Smith and Mike Snowden. A futuristic superheroes game.
- Victoria Junction All Change Please!! written by Nickey Barnard, Jerry Elsmore, Alex Jones, Sue Lee, Tym Norris and Mark Steedman. A "horde" game set in a Victorian railway station and hotel
April 2008, Appleby Magnor
- Squaring the Circle written by Graham Arnold, Jon Freeman, Steve Hatherley, Tym Norris, Alex Helm, Karen Banfield and Su Jolly. Dark goings on in Dartmoor for 17 players.
- For Your Spies Only written by Helen Jones, Nickey Barnard, Mike Grace, Mark Booth, and …
- Hotel Apollo Sigma written by Philippa Dall, Heidi Kaye, Michele Minnett, Roger Gammans and Mark Steadman.
At the same Sue Tony Janet Mike & Jerry started work on How to Write and Run a Weekend Freeform - work in progress.
June 2007, Appleby Magnor
- Starboard Home written by Steve Hatherley, Heidi Kaye, Tony Mitton and Donald Oddy. An experimental game set on the SS Star of Bengal in 1926, just leaving India. For 10 players.
- Best of the Wurst written by Nickey Barnard, Martin Jones, Mike Snowden and Julie Winnard. Inspired by Allo Allo - for 9 players.
- Diamond Geezers written by Graham Arnold, Clare Gardiner, Sue Lee and Tym Norris. British gangsters - a sort of cross between The Italian Job and Reservoir Dogs.
February 2006, Appleby Magnor
- Under Pressure written by Graham and others. Strange goings-on deep under the ocean.
- Daze of Empire written by Helen, Tony and others. The British civil service rules the world!
- Romance and Respectability written by Sue, Nickey, Steve, Donald, Phillippa and Julie. The side of Railways and Responsibility that we didn't get to write in 2004.
January 2005, (Can't remember the name of the place)
- The Village written by Tony, Graham and others. Horror.
- An Ecumenical Matter written by Nickey Barnard, Matt Bull, Philippa Dall, Mike Grace and Steve Hatherley. Irish priests and nuns - what could go wrong?
- And another game which I can't remember the title of. It was about newspaper barons.
January 2004, Appleby Magnor
- The Beautiful Game written by Michael, Donald, Tym, Jonathan and others. A soccer game.
- Railways and Respectability written by Jerry, Tony, Mike, Steve and Nickey. Victorian railway building.
- All's Well that Ends written by Heidi, Jane, Tony, AJ and Russell. Elizabethan intrigue in Deptford.
November 2002, Edale
- The Ticking Dog written by Sue, Mik, Chris, Nickey, Phillippal, Mark, Steve and Hanbury. Time-travel game set in Lancashire.
- Murder on the Transylvanian Express written by Tony, Donald, Jerry (and others). Does what it says on the tin.
- SS Telford written by Mike, Dream, Mike and others. Genetic engineering aboard a luxury yacht.
November 2001, Edale
- The Rosie Lee written by Phillipa, Sue, Tym, AJ, Brian, Hanbury and Mike. Mysterious goings on aboard a tea clipper becalmed in the Indian Ocean.
- Carry on at Camp David written by Liz, Janet, Russell, Steve, Donald and Mike. 1960s paranoia, diplomacy and presidential nonsense at Camp David.
- The Whitest Link written by Graham, Nickey, Chris, Dennis, Jerry, Nathan and Gareth. Set in Hell, the freeform of sins and broken comandments - and soul trading.
Weekend timetable
Peaky is a quite intensive weekend of writing and playing - here's the timetable for the weekend:
Friday (arrival, AGM and starting to write)
- 1600 – arrival.
- 1830 – Peaky Games AGM
- 1900 – Supper
- 2000 – Form groups and start writing
Saturday (writing)
- 0730 to 0900 – breakfast
- 1230 to 1330 – lunch
- 1900 to 2000 – supper
Sunday (running the games)
- 0730 to 0900 – breakfast
- 0930 to 1130 – first game
- 1130 to 1230 – lunch
- 1230 to 1430 – second game
- 1500 to 1700 – third game
- 1730 – Peaky finishes
Monday (checkout)
- 1000 – everyone leaves Peaky
