Shropshire-based rural theatre company Pentabus has revealed its eight 2025 National Young Writers who will create short plays for digital platforms.
Out of 98 applications, the eight chosen are Roisin Ann Bonar, a Welsh actor and writer; Jacob Ethan Tanner, a Welsh writer and actor who appeared in 2024 in Backstairs Billy by Marcelo Dos Santos at London’s Duke of York's Theatre; disabled writer, actor and dramaturg Lucy Heathcote; Emma-Louise Howell, a writer from East Anglia; Eilidh Nurse, originally from a small fishing town in rural Scotland; dramaturg, script reader and writer Noor Sobka; Mackenzie Steed, a writer from Newport; and Katie Walker-Cook, an actor and writer whose work has featured on BBC Radio 4.
The National Young Writers will be given masterclasses and support to create original work which will be performed in October 2025.
Pentabus head of engagement Joanna Freeman, said, “we're delighted to be playing host to some of the best young writers across the UK for our National Young Writers course. This is a unique opportunity to develop their practice, with support from digital arts specialists at Rural Media and our Jerwood writer in residence Liv Hennessy.”
Elle While, Pentabus artistic director, added, “it’s been such a pleasure to read the work of our newest cohort of National Young Writers. From the variety and strength of their voices, I’m sure they’ll soon be joining the brilliant success stories of our graduates from over the years, gaining recognition and acclaim for their work across the sector and beyond.”