New Writing

We are committed to supporting the development of new works.

One of the region’s largest producers of theatre, Liverpool’s Royal Court has a focus on new writing.

The theatre began producing shows in 2006, and quite quickly developed its own house style. In the early years the programming was a mix of established and commissioned plays but since 2017 all of our work has been written for the Royal Court. That is 100 percent new writing on the main stage for more than six years!

As well as our main house works, the 150 seat Studio space is a great place to develop new plays and we commission three new pieces each year.

We are committed to supporting the development of new works and new writers whether for the Royal Court audience or not. With this in mind we have developed the following writing programmes. As access is an important part of the way we work, all of these initiatives are free to access.

Find out more about our new writing programmes here:

Stage Write Nights

Our bi-monthly script in hand readings of new works. Each evening excerpts of several pieces are chosen to be performed by professional actors, working with a professional director.

Thinking of submitting a script? Find out about our script guidelines and where to send your script for consideration on our Stage Write page.

Stage Write Playwright Development Programme

The annual course that is free for writers. The selected participants attend fortnightly sessions for nine months and finish the course with a completed full-length script.

Commissioning

If you are a professional writer and have a script or an idea that you think would work for the Royal Court and you would like to discuss it with us, this is the place for you.

Whats's on?

Emmanuel Sonubi – Life After Near Death 23 Jan 2026

Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and Best Show nominee, Emmanuel Sonubi is back on tour after sold-out

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Mark Watson – Before it Overtakes us 19 Feb 2026

20 years in stand-up for the 'Taskmaster' cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner, YouTube cult figure, Rad

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Michelle de Swarte – The Afters 19 Sep 2025

Michelle De Swarte is back with her entourage of trademark razor-sharp wit and no-holds-barred storytelling. After

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The Scouse Christmas Carol 07 Nov 2025 - 17 Jan 2026

Ha! Bumbug!It’s that time again when the Royal Court searches “Christmas shows” on Google and pic

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It’s A Wonderful Life 11 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025

Return to Bedford Falls this Christmas when, after a sell out run in 2024, Old Fruit Jar Productions comes back to

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Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow – Show Pony 22 Oct 2025

A Berk’s Nest production in association with United Agents Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow: Show Pony Taskmast

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Sauce and Sorcery 01 Aug 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

Abrakebabra is just a normal chippy in the Swan. Chips, fish, scallops and donner meat all served up with a smile.

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Eddie Fortune – Superdrunk 20 Sep 2025

A butchered degree, an arrest in Tesco dressed as a cat, red wine, easy hotels, lost jobs, tinnitus and toxic relat

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Justin Moorhouse – The Greatest Performance of My Life 13 Feb 2026

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as Justin returns with "The Greatest Performance of My Life".

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Grace Petrie – This is No Time To Panic 16 Jan 2026

Like protest songs? Neither does Grace Petrie - and she's been singing them for 15 politically disastrous year

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Boss New Plays 04 Jul 2025 - 05 Jul 2025

Introducing Boss New Plays. The captivating summer showcase that is back by popular demand! Immerse yourself in a c

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Royal Court Heritage Tour 28 Jul 2025 - 08 Dec 2025

The Royal Court is a Grade II listed building, a magnificent example of one of the best theatres built in the Art D

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Alternative Black Cabaret Show 19 Jul 2025

The Black is back! The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase in partnership with Boisterous Theatre Co. bring the bigg

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The Anfield Apocalypse 03 Oct 2025 - 18 Oct 2025

It’s Harriet’s worst nightmare. She wants to make a nice, quiet Mothers’ Day lunch for her mum, h

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Desiree Birch – The Golden Wrath 14 Feb 2026

There comes a day when you look around and wonder “is the world a raging bin fire, or is it perimenopause?&rd

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Variety Lunch Club 30 Jul 2025 - 03 Dec 2025

The Royal Court Variety Lunch Club runs throughout the year on Wednesday afternoons in the main theatre and is open

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Stage Write Night 23 Sep 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

Come and join us for an evening of script in hand readings from our new writing programme – Stage Write.There

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The Legend Of Rooney’s Ring 18 Jul 2025 - 23 Aug 2025

Helen Serafinowicz (Motherland, Amandaland, Nova Jones) has created the ultimate scouse sword and sorcery tale that

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The Derby-Days 12 Sep 2025 - 11 Oct 2025

Dave Derby and Debbie Day are happily married. Well, they’re not married really. And they’re not that h

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Kieran Hodgson – Voice of America 24 Oct 2025

The four time Edinburgh comedy award nominee returns. America. What happened, man? Ever since he was a little lo

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A Wake for the Grand Old Lady 27 Jun 2025 - 28 Jun 2025

Goodison Park is more than just a football ground. It’s a cathedral, a social club and your gran’s fron

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Speedo Mick – The Musical 20 Jun 2025 - 05 Jul 2025

Over its illustrious 150-year history Everton Football Club has had many heroes but perhaps none of them have been

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