About Pentabus

Pentabus is the nation’s rural theatre company, based in Shropshire. We are the only rural touring company that is committed to producing new work and tours to communities across the UK and beyond.

Our work brings communities and young people together, bringing outstanding contemporary productions with sector leading creative teams, directly to isolated rural communities, as well as platforming rural stories in urban settings.

Over five decades we’ve produced over 300 new plays, supported 120 playwrights and reached over half a million audience members. We’ve won awards and created lasting relationships with artists, venues and audiences across the country, and were the first to live stream from a village hall.

We excel at finding and nurturing new talent and have hosted Writers in Residences since 2014. These playwrights have gone on to be commissioned by the Birmingham Rep, Bristol Old Vic, Hampstead Theatre, HighTide, Manchester Royal Exchange, Nottingham Playhouse, Royal Court, The Bush, and the National Theatre.

We champion people of all ages to explore their creativity with particular emphasis on creating pathways into careers in the creative industries for those underrepresented, and people who live rurally under 30. Pentabus Young Company is our initiative offering playwriting workshops in schools, further and higher education, work experience and mentorships. As well as the opportunity to join our Young Writers’ Programme, which celebrates its 10th year, and has catapulted many writers into careers in the arts, with recent graduate credits including Radio 4, BBC One, and Bristol Old Vic, as well as Tinniswood and Olivier Award nominations.