A CELEBRATION of new writing is set to return to Guide Bridge Theatre, as Fresh Voices 2026 brings six original one-act plays to the stage.
Running from Tuesday, April 7 to Saturday, April 11, the annual event, now in its fourth year, continues to spotlight fresh talent from the theatre’s own WordsmithsINK writing group.
Audiences can expect an eclectic mix of performances, ranging from poignant reflections on grief to surreal comedy and outright absurdity.
This year’s line-up promises a journey through a variety of settings and stories, including a reunion on Blackpool pier, a trip to Reims, and a chaotic police interrogation following a nightclub brawl.
Among the featured productions is Girls Gone Wild by S Jones, directed by Ada Burke, which follows three women in their 70s reconnecting over drinks and rediscovering friendship and humour in later life.
Bottled Up by Daniel Browne, directed by Hannah Combs, takes a more reflective tone, exploring grief and friendship as two young men travel to France to scatter a friend’s ashes.
Comedy takes centre stage in Wild, Wilder and Wildest by Steve Burke, a playful contest between eccentric characters vying for the title of the “wildest”, while Don’t Ever Fight A Man With A Perm by Jack Davison delivers high-energy humour set in a police interrogation room after a night out gone wrong.
For those who enjoy the unusual, On Heckmondthistlethwaite Moor I Lay Down and Wept by Andrew Connolly blends relationship drama with occult absurdity, and She’s a Man Eater by Luca Taylor offers a darkly comic mystery set during a salon outing.
The showcase highlights the diversity and creativity of local writers, with performances designed to surprise, entertain and spark conversation.
Tickets are available here