FRESHFESt

A celebration & showcase of brand new theatre between 2nd February & 1st March 2025

We are providing a platform for companies, writers & creatives to debut their new productions in our award-winning fringe theatre over four weeks to showcase the best in fresh new talent.

 This includes not only new writing but devised pieces, mime, physical theatre, musicals, clowning, improv and narrative comedy. If this is for you then take the next step and apply! 

Please do NOT apply if your production/project has been previously staged elsewhere - scratch nights and public play readings are exempt. 

Curated & Produced by MediumRare Productions

Applications Open Monday 21st October Until 11th November

Testimonials from Participants of freshfest 2024:

 "I was thrilled to have my play script, The Red Fox, included in FreshFest in January 2024. Jack was very supportive and the experience offered me the chance to hear the tonal shift I was trying to achieve in that script, play out, and modulate the story in redrafting as a result. And see which jokes land! Highly recommended."   Gray Robert Brown, Playwright

"It was the perfect environment in which to try out my one-woman show for the first time in front of a supportive and friendly audience - I had a brilliant time!

All of us participants were supported throughout the production process; we were in touch with each other and shared ideas and resources which was really helpful. Our shows were promoted on social media via the venue, which helped to spread the word for companies without a large reach.

In a tricky time for theatre, with fewer and fewer opportunities for fringe creators, FreshFest provides a fantastic chance to showcase new, experimental work to open-minded audiences."

Gabrielle Beasley - Body Count

"FreshFest was the ideal first step for our production. We were a new script, with a new team and even a new person completely inexperienced in the world of theatre. To develop in all these areas we needed a nurturing environment as well as a real challenge, a run at an established venue that wouldn't ask us to meet the expectations of a full-scale professional production but would still support us as we built ourselves toward that.

This is exactly what FreshFest delivered - our time at The Old Red Lion showed that we could make our show a success and the experience we gained there lead to opportunities we hadn't dreamed of, including a run at the Edinburgh Fringe with excellent reviews as well as international performances of our show.

I would heartily recommend FreshFest to any production, whether their teams are made up of seasoned professionals, fresh graduates or just those with a passion and a story to tell. You'll have fun, learn huge amounts and get to know some wonderful fellow theatre-makers."

Meade Conway - A Silent Scandal

"Taking part in FreshFest was not only a massive stepping stone in my writing career but also one of the most generous opportunities for new writers that I've come across. With support throughout the entiure process, the networking, rehearsal experience and exposure were invaluable. 

Definitely one of the best opportunities out there to get your work seen and validate yourself as a writer in a casual environment" Charlotte Churcher, Playwright - Beat of the Bronzewing