Liverpool’s Royal Court Stage Write is looking for new writers

Liverpool’s Royal Court is looking for new voices to join its Stage Write programme, which works to develop writing skills and guide writers to developing a full-length scripts for the stage.

Meeting two evenings a month for nine months, the programme is completely free and is open to writers living or studying in Liverpool City Region. The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 3 November. 

Over the past five years, six writers who have taken part in Stage Write have had productions on stage in the Royal Court Studio, with one in the main house. This year,  two of the five shortlisted writers for the prestigious Alfred Bradley Bursary Award are SWPDP graduates. Last year Chrissy Jones won the same award for the play that she developed on the course. EJ Fisher was runner up in the Evening Standard Story Awards. SWPDP writers were also well represented at Channel 4’s New Writing North Awards 2023 with Joe McNally and Liz Redwood picking up two of the three Writing for Television Awards. Several alumni have also gone on to secure work in theatre and TV, or have been signed up by literary agents.

Jess Bolger, Producer at Liverpool’s Royal Court says:

“Our passion for new writing at Liverpool’s Royal Court is showcased in our shows both in the main house and in the studio where we have had ten brand new shows which have wowed audiences. The writers behind those shows have been at different stages in their career, some getting a first break, others coming to the Royal Court for the first time, and some who are well known to our audience. But everyone has to start somewhere, and with our mission to put Liverpool lives on stage we have to give every writer with an ambition a chance to make it in theatre.”

Paddy Clarke wrote Sauce & Sorcery, which ran in the Royal Court Studio in August. He took part in Stage Write, 

He said:

“I cannot recommend Stage Write highly enough for anyone looking to improve their writing and get a thorough understanding of the realities of being a working writer. The course massively improved my confidence as a writer and established a wonderful network of other writers that I could develop alongside.  

Without Karen and Jess’s fantastic masterclasses and 1-2-1 script feedback throughout Stage Write, I would not have been able to see the play I developed on Stage Write come to life with a full run on the Royal Court Studio – something for which I will be forever grateful!”

The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 3 November. 

Applications can be made on the Royal Court Theatre website.

Find other theatre shows and events across Liverpool here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.