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Delighted to have been selected to be part of @liveveryplay 2026 Playwrights Programme - a 10-month development programme where we’re given the space and mentorship to bring a new play to life. It’s an immense opportunity and an honour to share with 7 other brilliant emerging playwrights including my 2021 GM fringe nemesis @urownpersonaljosus

Into The Blue Again has been selected to be screened at BIFA-qualifying @sundshortsfilm on Monday 11 May🐠 Catch you there🎣 More details here: https://sunderlandshorts.co.uk/ssff2026/

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

One for the ROAD

To write for @rxtheatre and to make bold theatre with awe inspiring artists and communities is the privilege of a lifetime.

We transformed the Stalybridge Market Hall into a binaural installation piece responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s legendary play, Road. The heart, determination and willingness of our 15 Tameside residents to give themselves wholly and vulnerably to the story crafting process completely bowled me away. I am beyond grateful to have helped weave their monologues, and offer my words for the moments of communion that ran throughout.

To my director and partner in crime @emma_baggott_ you are a special talent and a true asset to our industry. Thank you for your mentorship and unrelenting enthusiasm to think bolder and bigger. It was truly electric to see you in action and you have galvanised my passion for my craft in the process. I hope this is the start of a beautiful partnership⚡️

To the other trailblazing talents: Producer @jessedwards1 Associate Director @toribeef Sound Designer @bracegirdlehannah00Stage Manager @phil_backstage Lighting Designer Yvette, and programme manager and overall maestro Molly, you are a writer’s dream and your talent which I’m incapable of unravelling kept the process as mystifying and magical for me as it should be. Thank you👏

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared in the magic. It’s easy to get downtrodden in this world, but for better or worse, we are bound by senseless hope, as proclaimed in the closing moments:

The darkness is so very long and unforgiving
But so are we
We may be hunched
Nimble fingered
Gaunt and trusting
Yet we are more
We are more
We are love
That can never die
No matter the tyrant
No matter the iceberg
We are love
All we have to do is hold on
Until winter hollows once more
In its place
The reprise of spring eternal
Then, as all flowers in time
All those who came before
And those yet to take form
We bend towards the sun

📸by Joel Feilds

Today, I mark an especially emotionally charged World Theatre Day by finishing my time as Artistic Director of @dividedcultureco

I’ve spent five years with my partner in crime @congoodwin building this company from the ground up, and what a truly transformative chapter of life it’s been. I remember waiting anxiously outside Piccadilly station in 2021 and seeing an infectiously energetic young Salfordian pull up in his red car to take me to a crazy day of auditions in the basement of Manahatta for a little show I’d written called Toxic. It started as a back-and-forth over Facebook in the height of COVID lockdown, and over the course of shows, office moves, workshops, weeks spent crying over funding bids, and many hysterical afternoon, blossomed into a partnership that has defined me as a creative and human being. The future is golden with you at the helm.

There is too much to acknowledge. But it’s been a privilege to be part of this company’s journey, create a playwriting prize that celebrates our local writer community, help future generations to connect with their creativity, and meet and entertain audiences across the North. To all the amazing creatives I’ve had the honour of working with through DC, thank you for your craft. To partners, mentors, and supporters, you have shaped the creative I am today. Thank you for your love and faith.It’s been a hell of a ride.

For me, it’s time to put more energy into craft and I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in a couple of super exciting writing projects in the last few months and ongoing opportunities that are pushing my playwriting journey forward. I’m excited to share more with you soon. Stick around.

It’s a funny thing we do. Often frustrating. Often heartbreaking. Often completely illogical. Always fragile. But when it works, it makes you believe in a soul. So, on we go. Onwards.

Catch Into The Blue Again at @filmhubnorth Northern Exposure this month.

Tickets available online 🎟️

A true honour to be the playwright on @rxtheatre One For The ROAD project alongside the immense and inspirational @emma_baggott_an amazing creative team @toribeef @jessedwards1 @bracegirdlehannah00 and Tameside residents.

We’re making an immersive, community-led theatre installation responding to the themes of Jim Cartwright’s ROAD, which has been smashing it in at the Exchange for the last 6 weeks.

There’s two 50-minute performances at 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday 18 March at Stalybridge Civic Hall. It’s gonna be an absolute treat and our community participants are incredible. More info and tickets in my bio or here: https://shorturl.at/D2Dpn

Thank you to @filmhubnorth for selecting Into The Blue Again to play Northern Exposure 2026 this March✨

Catch us at:

🐠 Thur 12 March - Cultplex, Manchester @cpxmcr
🐠 Tue 17 March - Storyhouse, Chester @storyhouselive
🐠 Wed 25 March - Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds @hydeparkph
🐠 Fri 27 March - Brewery Arts, Kendal @Brewery_arts_kendal

You can come along here: https://shorturl.at/wYt0G

Our new short film, Into The Blue Again, is on its way to festivals ahead of release in 2026🐠

Pauli thinks he’s a Goldfish, but nobody believes him. When his sister Eva gives him an ultimatum, Pauli embarks on a quest to prove he is what he claims to be, and that he is not alone.

Thank you to our amazing cast and crew:

Writer: @thedanlovattwriter
Director:@almirdatoo
Producers: @joo0ooooe @harryrighthere @harrists1

Starring: @andymevans333 @beckylindsay99 @tsen_lily_db

Director of Photography: @owencantcan
Assistant Director: @james.ormrod
Sound mixer: @madisoncartersound
Gaffer: @aracelilopes_
1st Assistant Camera: @kgeorgebailey
2nd Assistant Camera: @danmmccaffrey
Production Designer: @shhhmaddie
Costume: @photographehehe
Sound assistant: @scottdouglas.audio
Spark: @filmmakersam
Runner: @byrobp_
Camera trainee: @sophiahigginsfilms
Editor: @sam___bond
Original score: @joe.t.dean
VFX & Colour: @oliverhardingham.colour
Sound Engineer: @spotonsoundstudio
Casting Director: @annabrad98
Poster: @izustration

A @mirrordooor @viewshiftproductions and @dividedcultureco film

More updates coming soon👀

The 15-play shortlist for the 2025 DCC Playwriting Prize is here 🥳Every writer on this list blew us away with characters, voices, and worlds of distinction and mastery.

Big up, writers! Give them some love below and we’ll be announcing the winning playwright later in September🏆The shortlist is:

Danny Start - In Bits

Emma Zadow - In the Moss @zadowemma

Jason Williams -  Project Utopia @jasonbw94

Eleanor Cartmill - WONDERKID@eleanorcartmillplaywright

Isaac Radmore - Burning Me Up@isaac.radmore

Natalie Beech - Bears Bears Bears@natalielbeech

Terri Jade Donovan - DOG DOG DOG@terri_donovan5

Lekhani Chirwa -  BrainPlay@lekhanichirwa

Daneka Etchells -  rogue comet(s) remnants of a decommissioned star@danekaetch

Deen-Ol Reinard - Durex Machine

Cormac Keating - endogenous

Hannah Salt -  Crossings@hannahsalty

Lee Thompson - Qualified @leethomps89

Jamie’Diane Rajaram - Habibi @jamiedianerajaram

Jenny Bushell - lovemaking to an inappropriate soundtrack @jenny.bushell

Buzzing to have been invited to the Salford Literacy Symposium to share more about our new creative education programme, the Future Artists Initiative, with national and local literacy leaders.

The Future Artists Initiative launches in September 2025 - July 2026 in education settings across Greater Manchester. It’ll offer a wide range of creative workshops to young people aged 11-18 that will:

✅ Boost the employability skills, resilience, and wellbeing of our young people.

✅ Give young people the skills and space to connect with their creativity.

✅ Develop the next generation of regional artists.

Artists can change the world👊 Thank you for having us! @northernschoolofwriting @salforduni

The DCC Playwriting Prize closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday 30 April⏰

The winner will receive £1000 and have their play produced🥳 We’ve received some fantastic plays so far, and we want more! Here’s a little recap of the Prize and how you can enter👇

Who’s it for?

The prize is open to playwrights born and/or based inNorth West England to submit an unperformed, full-length (60 mins or more) play.

How do I enter?

Step 1: Complete our application form

Step 2: Email playwriting@dividedcultureco.com with your play in PDF format titled ‘your name + name of play’

All the links and info you need including the application form, prize pack, eligibility, submission guidelines, and more can be found here: https://www.dividedcultureco.com/playwriting or in our bio 🔗

Keep those plays coming in! Good luck!

We are super excited to launch the DCC Playwriting Prize 2025✍️

Running from Saturday 1 March to 11:59pm on Wednesday 30 April, the prize is open to playwrights born and/or based in the North West to submit an unperformed, full-length (60 mins or more) play.

The winning playwright will receive £1000 and we will produce the play for its first public performances.

To submit:

Step 1: Complete our application form (link in bio)

Step 2: Email playwriting@dividedcultureco.com with your play in PDF format titled ‘your name + name of play’

All the links and info you need including the application form, prize pack, eligibility, submission guidelines, and more are on our website (link in our bio).

Email hello@dividedcultureco.com with any questions. Reshare with any eligible playwrights in your network and give us a follow for prize updates. We can’t wait to read your plays 🥳