Catalyst is a two-week residency at The North Wall Arts Centre in Oxford, providing a framework of support for early-career writers and directors to develop their craft, to progress their work and to establish a strong network of peer creatives. Six writers and three directors are selected through a national call-out, and paired with professional mentors and a company of actors. The first week is spent workshopping the writers’ scripts. During the second week a 15 minute section of each script is rehearsed with the acting company, and the residency culminates in a public sharing of work.
Catalyst 2026 took place from Monday 30 March – Friday 10 April 2026. Writers were mentored by Karim Khan and Marika McKennell and directors by Tom Brennan and Ria Parry.
Catalyst Performance | Friday 10 April 2026
Supply
by Roxana Rae Bartle. Directed by Arthur Kemp
Apple Tree
by Ruby Crepin-Glyne. Directed by Hamza Ali
Farewell Party
by Hannah Eggleton. Directed by Haiqing Liang
Brit(ish) Museum
by Adil Hassan. Directed by Arthur Kemp
The Bird
by Lucy Havard. Directed by Hamza Ali
16 Candles
by Ayọ̀ Owóyẹmi-Peters. Directed by Haiqing Liang
Supporters
We are hugely grateful to our ArtsLab: Catalyst 2026 Programme Partners: St Clare’s, Oxford and Oxford School of Drama.
With thanks to The North Wall Arts Centre’s principal sponsor St Edward’s School, Oxford.
