Catalyst is the cornerstone of our commitment to new writing for the theatre. This project offers in-depth professional development to early-career writers and directors. To those selected, we offer the chance to work with an ensemble of professional actors, and highly experienced writing and directing mentors in a safe and supportive space, to hone their craft, develop and showcase their new scripts. Places are strictly limited, and the work is intensive, challenging and exciting.
Join us for a very special sharing of extracts from new plays, written and directed by this year’s Catalyst cohort, and performed by a professional ensemble:
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
Writing Mentors
Marika Mckennell
Karim Khan
Directing Mentor
Tom Brennan
Programme Producer
Ria Parry
Production Assistant
Laila Njie
Workshop ensemble support
Nikki Patel
Ensemble
Seraphina Beh-Moore
Stephan Boyce
Misha Graham-Patel
Philippa Hogg
Sesughter Iorchir (Oxford School of Drama actor-in-training)
Georgia Koronka (Oxford School of Drama actor-in-training)
Andy Owens
Maya Pillay
Joyce Veheary
Age guidance: 14+
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.
