Things We Didn't Know May 2025
Our third annual showcase was held on May 31st at The Arden Theatre, Faversham. Each of our writers took their own original take on the theme of Things We Didn't Know. And it turns out there are all sorts of things we didn't know. Moving, provocative, hilarious and disturbing - the plays run the gamut of human experience.
Rehearsal photos by Paulette Holmes
The Maurice Patterson One-Act Play Festival May 2025
Congratulations to five of our members, Paul McNally, Pippa Gladhill, Stephen Condor, Libby Bernard and Philip Glascoe have had their plays selected for this annual competition run by The Arden Theatre. Come along to The Arden and watch staged readings of their plays on May 3rd.
https://ardentheatre.org.uk/maurice-patterson-one-act-play-festival-2/
Union Shorts April 2025
Released on Licence
Two women, just released from prison, meet on a train. At first they seem worlds apart, but they have more in common than they realise.
Paul McNally's comedy had a 4-day run at the Union Theatre in April and was performed at the Barons Court Theatre on the 11th May.
Inkfest April 2025
A Flying Start
Mary Onions' short play celebrating Ipswich Town's promotion to the premier league was performed at Inkfest in Haylesworth, Suffolk. Just in time for the team to be demoted again!
https://www.inkfestival.org/whats-on-ink
Page to Stage January 2025
Pippa Gladhill's play Ends and Means delighted audiences at the London Page to Stage Scratch Night at the Water Rats PH Theatre in London.
New Beginnings, December 2024
In December, three of our members' plays were chosen to be presented at a scratch night at the new Garlinge Theatre in Canterbury.
In 47 Saplings by Pippa Gladhill, Mel is struggling with the irritations of daily life, but news that 49 saplings taken from the Sycamore Gap are starting to flourish cheers her up.
Stephen Condor's play Be Kind imagines what can happen if we rely too much on technology in our social lives.
In Mary Onions' play It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Maria's plans to spend Christmas alone are turned upside down by an unexpected visitor.
We're looking forward to further collaboration with the Garlinge, an exciting new venue for us.
You can find out more here https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20garlinge%20theatre
Faversham Fringe, October 2024
The Fourth Witch of Faversham by Mary Onions played to sold out audiences at the Faversham Fringe.
In 1645 four women were convicted of witchcraft in Faversham. While three of them were hanged, but there is no record of the fate of the fourth, Elizabeth Harris. This play, based on true events, suggests what might have happened to her.
Baron's Court, October 2024
Paul McNally's play Bet LIke a Man was selected for the Reboot Festival and performed at Baron's Court in London.
The Abbey Theatre, July 2024
The Abbey Theatre in St. Albans produced Mary Onions' Assemble with Care as part of their new writing festival.
Many years ago, the Warder family was torn apart by a tragic event. Now that her mother is dying, Josephine is hoping for a family reunion before it is too late. Her older brother, Sam has come home from the States, to help.
With her mother due to arrive home from hospital at any moment, Josephine is attempting to put together a table that will go over her mother’s bed, and is trying to persuade Sam to write to their younger brother, who appears to have gone ‘off grid’.
As Josephine and Sam proceed with their various tasks, the ramifications of the terrible event that destroyed the family so long ago become apparent. Their conversation veers from acrimony to laughter, recrimination to reminiscence, as old memories flare up and long held secrets are revealed. Eventually Josephine’s seething sense of injustice overflows and she destroys the table she has been assembling.
Should they just hide the broken table away? After all, they are well practised in concealing the wreckage of their lives. Or do they have the chance to rebuild?
The Arden, May 2024
Swale Tales, our second showcase, featuring 8 sort plays, each with a connection to the Swale area. From the Faversham Magna Carta, to some strange goings-on by the Oare marshes, and a seventeenth century witchcraft trial, to a tragedy unfolding on the roof of a dingy office building near the Western Link, all human life can be seen in this tiny corner of Kent.
The Arden, February, 2024
In February several of our plays were chosen once again for the Maurice Patterson One Act Festival and were performed at The Arden as part of the Faversham literary festival. The Seven Deadly Sins - gluttony, wrath, pride, envy, greed, sloth and lust were given the Daylight Robbery treatment to much applause.
The Arden, April 2023
First Writes was our first showcase at The Arden, featuring plays from all of our writers.
