The Marlowe Theatre announces the return of The Writers’ Room Festival
Mon 2 Mar 2026The Marlowe Theatre is the home of new writing in Kent. With new plays by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and Penelope Skinner (Lyonesse), alongside work by home-grown writers, The Writers’ Room Festival presents a packed programme of rehearsed readings, workshops and talks with industry experts and leading playwrights, including David Eldridge (Betrayal), Yolanda Mercy (Quarter Life Crisis) and the Marlowe’s own Dramaturg, Leo Butler (Boy).
Senior Producer Millie Brierley said: “Following the success of our first Writers’ Room Festival last year, we are so pleased to be bringing it back for 2026. The breadth of this year’s programme is a testament to the work we’re doing at the Marlowe to nurture new writing at every level – from Charlotte Khan’s debut play, Smelly Bum, which is a product of our Writers’ Room courses, to The Wild, the latest collaboration between the Olivier Award-winning duo Simon Stephens and Mark Haddon. Whether you’re a writer yourself or just a fan of brilliant storytelling, this festival has something for you.”
Led by award-winning playwright and Marlowe Dramaturg Leo Butler, the Writers’ Room brings together established and emerging writers in the local area. In his series of weekly courses, Leo offers a safe space in which to learn, experiment, and meet new people – whether it be the start of a career in writing or develop playwriting skills. Beyond the sessions, participants become part of the growing Writers’ Room community, with long-term access to helpful resources and an ever-larger pool of fellow writers as they continue their writing journey.
Leo Butler said: “Last year’s experience was overwhelmingly positive. The response we got from attendees has been more than encouraging and has demonstrated the need for engagement with new writing at inception and in early stages. The Festival atmosphere was so friendly and warm and we expect no less this year. I am enormously proud of my association with this initiative and with the Marlowe Theatre and its proactive support for the development of new writing in many forms.”
The Writers’ Room Festival is part of the Marlowe’s new writing initiative which extends from workshops and courses to main stage productions and national tours. Following the 2025 world premiere and subsequent UK tour of Amy Rosenthal’s The Party Girls, look out for further announcements of Marlowe Theatre productions.
To view the full programme for the Writers’ Room Festival, which runs from Thursday 30 April to Sunday 3 May, click here.