Debating theatre topics and themes with industry experts

Theatre has been under a great deal of pressure over the last few years, which has sparked a significant amount of debate and discussion about our industry and its futur

We will be raising a number of key questions around theatre to provide interesting and thought-provoking debates at our ‘Taking the Stage and Screen’ festival from 30 March to 2 April at MK Gallery.

Join us at our four-day event, which celebrates inspirational women from theatre and film, to hear from panels of professional theatre practitioners who will be tackling pressing questions that have come out of our industry and the pandemic.

Our chosen topics and expert panellists are:

Reflections on being a woman playwright with April de Angelis

April de Angelis, award-winning playwright, will provide us all with an insightful keynote, which delves into her thoughts and experience on being a woman writer.

Can we make a new future for theatre? Some ideas for real change

Wednesday 30 March

This debate will take place following the performance of ‘Tapestry’. It will be chaired by April de Angelis and panel members include Chloe Todd Fordham (playwright of ‘Tapestry'), Polly Kemp (ERA 50:50) and Rosemary Hill (Artistic Director - The Play’s The Thing).

Where are we now with diversity and inclusion?

Thursday 31 March

After the ‘Hidden Stories Part 1’ performance join panel members Lisa Lovell (playwright of ‘Daughter of the Waves’, Subika Anwar-Khan (playwright of Echo), Roshmi Lovatt (Integrative Arts Psychotherapist) and Shirley Jones (playwright of The Saltiness of Time) in the Sky Room at MK Gallery.

What has happened since #Metoo?
How has the industry dealt with sexual harassment?

Saturday 2 April

Chaired by Maureen Beattie (President of Equity) and panel members Rosemary Hill (Artistic Director - The Play’s The Thing), Carly Halse (playwright of Now You See Me) and Sarah Berger (actress, producer), this debate will take place in the Event Space at MK Gallery after the ‘Hidden Stories Part 2’ performance.

Themed Q&A following ‘The Well’ and ‘Welcome To Mine’ performances

Saturday 2 April

Join panellists and performance playwrights Poppy Corbett (The Well) and Francis Grin (Welcome To Mine), plus Lisa Cagnacci (Sphinx Theatre Company) and Rosemary Hill (Artistic Director - The Play’s The Thing) to ask questions and discuss themes from the newly commissioned plays. We’ll also be looking at the latest research from Sphinx Theatre Company on gender parity.

Festival close Abi Zakarian - Playwright 

Can we make a new future for Theatre? Some ideas for real change.

Saturday 2 April

Award-winning playwright, Abi Zakarian, will be closing our festival with an enlightening speech you will not want to miss.

Be part of the debate and help spark conversation on some hot topics and wider themes with these inspiring female industry experts.

You can find further information about our festival and purchase your tickets. 

Youth Creative Board opportunities

We have a new and exciting opportunity for young people from in and around Milton Keynes to join our Creative Youth Board (CYB) and be part of our ‘Taking the Stage and Screen’ festival.  

By being a member of our CYB, you will not only receive personal and professional development, but you will also get the opportunity to create a new piece of theatre developed over a two-day residency with support from MK Theatre, which you will then perform at our inspirational festival.

Interested and want to know more?
Sign up to be part of the Creative Youth Board now!

Thank you to Arts Council England for supporting this project.