3CTH LAUNCHES ITS 2027 STAGE WRITING COMPETION

The Three Counties Talent Hub has launched its 2027 stage writing competition with the theme A New Room.

Inspired by the fantastic new creative spaces that are currently in progress in both Malvern and Cheltenham, we invite you to create a play featuring a new room – whatever that room might be.

This stage writing competition is a unique opportunity to explore new stories featuring a new room whether that is a big change, a point of conflict or maybe even something magic.

The competition follows on from 3CTH’s excellent performance of Martin Lytton’s The Hand of Sarah Nelmes which took to stages at Malvern Theatres, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham and Worcester Theatres last year.

We are delighted to be joined this year by The Courtyard, Hereford for an additional tour stop for the winning performance.

Script submissions, suitable for a maximum of three performers, should have drama as its primary form, but could include music and/or physical theatre or other movement.

As well as seeing their piece performed on the professional stage, the winning writer or writing team will also receive royalties from the ticketed performances.

Who can enter?

3CTH welcomes submissions for a new play based around the given theme (this year: A New Room) from writers based in the three counties (Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire).
Submission of content is free and 3CTH welcomes scripts from adult writers, all levels of experience, regardless of background, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
All writers must be at least 18 by the time of the submission deadline.

What can I submit?

• New, original writing that has been previously unpublished, unproduced and unperformed, inspired by this year’s theme A New Room.
• It should be suitable for a maximum of three performers
• It should have drama as its primary form but could include music and/or physical theatre or other movement
• It should be no longer than 75 minutes and not contain an interval.

The 3CTH appreciates the usefulness of AI as a tool in supporting structure, research or ideas for creative work. However, we hold a greater value on individual creativity and original thought and therefore would encourage you to not use AI in your scripts and submissions.

How do I enter?

• Writer/s must submit:
  • A 200-word plot summary of your piece and a character list.
    • The summary must include all major plot details, including how it ends.
    • The character list is not included in the 200-word count
  • The first 10 minutes of the first draft of your script
    • The judging panel may request to read a full script at any stage during the selection process.
    • The full draft of all shortlisted scripts will be read
  • If your piece has music, include a demo recording of any originally composed music.

• The script should be anonymised and submitted as a pdf attachment by email, with your name/s and a contact number in the body of the email to education@malvern-theatres.co.uk
• Scripts should be submitted by 6pm on Sunday 29^th November 2026.

What support will the selected writer/s receive?

• Workshop and rehearsal support from the teams at Malvern Theatres, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, The Courtyard, Hereford and Worcester Theatres
• Set, lighting, and costume design and provisions, as suited to the size and scale of the work
• A professional director
• The theatres will help with selecting professional performers that reflect the creative elements of the selected piece whether that is dramatic, physical, or musical
• All theatres will provide marketing and press support.

By submitting your script, you confirm that you will be:

• 18 or over by the submission deadline
• Submitting an original piece that is entirely your own work
• Originally from, or living in, the Three Counties area (Worcestershire, Herefordshire or Gloucestershire)
• Available at selected times on the following weeks for development and performances:

Mon 1^st Feb at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
w/c 29^th March at Malvern Theatres
w/c 5^th April at Malvern Theatres
w/c 12^th April at Malvern Theatres
14^th – 15^th April at Malvern Theatres Performances
16^th – 17^th April Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham Performances
19^th April The Courtyard, Hereford Performances
20^th April – 21^st April Worcester Theatres Performances 

Other T&Cs:

• The selected writer/s will receive royalties from the ticketed performances. No additional expenses will be paid and no other ‘prize fund’ is available
• The writers of all shortlisted scripts will be contacted and asked to submit the full script for further consideration. The ‘winning’ writer/s will then be contacted by email if their piece has been successful
• Physical scripts will not be accepted
• Feedback on unselected scripts will not be given
• Malvern Theatres’ Three Counties Talent Hub reserves the right to add to or amend these terms and conditions, should situations arise that make that necessary
• Criteria for how the ‘winning entry’ will be selected is extensive, though all pieces should have bold characters, a dynamic plot, and should absorb the reader/audience
• Judges’ decisions are final, and further dialogue will not be entertained