Summerseat Players is calling on emerging playwrights from across the Northwest to submit original short plays for its first New Writing Festival, set to take place at Theatre Royal Ramsbottom on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18, 2027. The festival will showcase twelve new short works, pairing six emerging playwrights selected through an open submission process with six established playwrights. At the core of the event is mentorship, support, and creative connection: each selected emerging playwright will be paired with an established writer, with their works presented together as part of a double-bill programme.
Submission Details and Eligibility
Applications are free and must be submitted by Monday, August 3, 2026. Summerseat Players seeks original, unproduced short plays lasting 30 to 45 minutes, with a maximum of three actors and minimal staging requirements. Writers must be emerging, unpublished Northwest residents aged 18 or older. Scripts must be entirely the writer's own work—no AI assistance or translations are allowed—and should demonstrate potential to expand into a full-length play. Six writers will be selected, including one slot reserved specifically for a children's theatre piece suitable for audiences under 14.
Mentorship and Prizes
Selected playwrights will have their work staged at the festival, partner with a director, and receive professional mentorship from an established writer. To support travel and rewrite time, the children's theatre writer will receive £350, while the five general category writers will each receive £500. Additionally, one standout "Best of Festival" winner will receive dedicated workshops and rehearsal support to develop their script into a full-length production for a future Summerseat Players season.
How to Apply
To apply, complete the online application form and email your script as a PDF to nwf@summerseatplayers.co.uk by Monday, August 3, 2026. To ensure a blind judging process, scripts must be submitted under a pseudonym with all personal details removed, using the email subject line "NWF27 Script Submission - [Pseudonym]". Successful applicants will be announced in December 2026, ahead of the festival showcase on July 17 and 18, 2027.
Other Cultural Highlights
In related news, Rochdale has submitted an expression of interest to become the UK's first Town of Culture in 2028, following its successful year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025/26. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published a map of all towns that submitted expressions of interest, with shortlisting expected by the end of July. Meanwhile, the Octagon Theatre in Bolton has announced a stellar cast for the 30th anniversary production of Ayub Khan Din's East Is East, running from September 4 to October 3, 2025. Directed by Kash Arshad, the cast includes Bhasker Patel and Samantha Power. The play explores identity, generational conflict, and family bonds in 1970s Salford.
Additionally, the Aviva Studios Social in Manchester has been transformed into a traditional teahouse to celebrate the summer exhibition Ai Weiwei: Button Up! The teahouse, featuring the artist's traditional Chinese mazha stools, is free to attend and runs until September 6, 2025. In Rochdale, the Bring Your Own Book Club meets every other Saturday at Rochdale Central Library, and the Toad Lane Concerts continue weekly at St Mary in the Baum, with the next performance on July 22 featuring the Rascallity Harp Duo.
