New Writing Takes Center Stage at Oxford Playhouse in Annual Showcases
The Burton Taylor Studio recently hosted the culmination of a year-long creative journey, as the latest cohorts of the Playmaker Later and Playhouse Playmakers programs presented their end-of-year showcases. Across two evenings, audiences experienced script-in-hand performances of original full-length plays and short extracts brought to life by professional actors.
Celebrating Emerging Voices in the Burton Taylor Studio
The first evening spotlighted the Playmaker Later participants, an initiative designed for older writers. Mentored by local playwright Carolyn Lloyd-Davies, the cohort presented extracts reflecting a diverse range of themes and personal histories.
The lineup included:
- Mary Tapper's Touch the Flame, a protest drama following three women challenging sexism within a library setting.
- Colin Davies's 12 Green Bottles, exploring personal reinvention and family responsibilities.
- Chris Trengove's Rock and a Hard Place, a comedic look at the reunion of an aging rock band.
- Theresa Black's Across the Pond, tracing a television reporter's connection to Canadian family history.
- Deirdre Shields's Quiet Man, a biographical piece concerning two brothers who became star actors with Ireland's national theatre, The Abbey.
The second evening shifted focus to the broader Playhouse Playmakers cohort, mentored by award-winning playwright Clare Bayley and directed by resident director Ben Newman. This showcase featured six distinct works:
- Beth Mullen's Ulcers, depicting a marriage dealing with a child's chronic illness.
- Sid Sagar's Male Patterns, set against the backdrop of Middle Eastern conflict.
- Conor Patrick Carroll's led astray, examining generational family secrets between a mother and daughter.
- Reece Connolly's MEAT RAFFLE, an absurdist sci-fi comedy inspired by historical anomalies.
- Chakira Alin's Sunny Side Up, focusing on identity and relationships.
- Hannah Ali Khan's Talluq, following three strangers in an Urdu class searching for connection.
Looking Ahead to Future Productions
These annual showcases highlight the ongoing commitment to regional talent development at the venue. For those interested in joining the creative community, applications for the upcoming Playmaker Later scheme running from September are currently open.
To plan your next cultural outing or explore more performances across the city, discover what else is playing through Musemap (musemap.art) by checking out the latest what's on exhibitions or browsing the complete museums list.
