Pentabus and Papatango Theatre Company are joining forces to produce and tour two new productions from two award-winning playwrights. This pilots an exciting new writing partnership to showcase world premieres on bigger platforms and redress the devastating 64% drop in touring plays since 2019 (Audience Agency 2026 Report).
The first production is by 2021/22 Pentabus’ Clive Richards Foundation Writer in Residence Tom Powell. His 2021 Papatango New Writing Prize-winning play The Silence and The Noise will have its long-awaited stage premiere this autumn, opening at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury before touring to Bristol Old Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre and Park Theatre, London. Papatango’s Artistic Director and Genesis Foundation Prize-winner George Turvey directs.
The play was originally made by Papatango during the pandemic as an audio drama, also directed by George Turvey, before a new filmed version was produced by Pentabus and Rural
Media in 2023.
Find out more about The Silence and The Noise and book tickets here.
The second production is Birdcatcher, the latest play by award-winning playwright and 2023 Pentabus Clive Richards Foundation Writer in Residence Laura Waldren. Directed by Pentabus’ Artistic Director and BAFTA-winner Elle While, the production is presented in association with Hull-based new writing theatre company Middle Child, opening this autumn at the company’s new venue at 69 Humber St, before embarking on a two-week rural tour. It then
continues its UK theatre tour in January 2027. Waldren awarded the 2023 Papatango New Writing Prize for Some Demon, which Papatango premiered at the Arcola Theatre in June 2024 before transferring to Bristol Old Vic.
Find out more about Birdcatcher and book tickets here.
Papatango’s George Turvey and Chris Foxon said today:
“The touring ecosystem – especially for new plays – is at risk of collapse. This would have devastating consequences for emerging artists, who need access to a national network of venues, producers and audiences if they are to achieve sustainable careers, as well as for audiences, who deserve varied programming including relevant contemporary stories regardless of where they live. We are excited to pilot a new partnership with Pentabus to tackle this systemic crisis; by combining resources, expertise and networks, we can together help the next generation of writers to flourish and share their stories nationwide. We and Pentabus resolutely believe that the right to tell and to watch new plays belongs to everyone.”
Pentabus’ Joint CEOs, Artistic Director Elle While and Executive Director Verity Overs-Morrell added:
“Tom Powell and Laura Waldren are two exceptional writers whose plays both Pentabus andPapatango have proudly championed. We’re delighted to be launching Birdcatcher, set in Laura’s home county of Yorkshire, in association with Papatango and Hull-based new writing theatre company Middle Child, as well as working with Papatango on Tom’s The Silence and The Noise. Collaborations like this give outstanding new plays the strongest possible launchpad, helping them reach more audiences across the UK.”
Read the full press release here
For more information contact Emma at press@pentabus.co.uk
