The UK's leading short play festival returns! INK Festival 2025 presents an exciting lineup of original plays, comedy, poetry, talks, and performances from acclaimed writers and artists.

A Screenwriting Workshop with James McDermott

Shorts, Features and TV: A Screenwriting Workshop with James McDermott In this interactive writing workshop, you will learn skills to help you create, plan, write, redraft and pitch projects for short films, features and TV. Participants will also get a chance to workshop their ideas and receive advice on funding, agents, self-producing and much more besides. The workshop will be led by scriptwriter James McDermott whose short plays for INK include 'Beached', 'Steam', 'Love Me Tinder' and 'Mixed Up'. James's plays published by Samuel French include 'Jab' (Finborough Theatre), 'Time & Tide' (Park Theatre/Tour) and 'Rubber Ring' (Pleasance Islington/Tour). James has written multiple episodes of 'EastEnders' and his short film 'Clause', nominated for Best East Anglian Film at Norwich Film Festival 2023, was part of the official selection at British Shorts Berlin 2023, Italy Lover's Film Festival 2023 and Queer Wave Cyprus LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2023. James is an Arvon writing tutor and lecturer in creative writing at the University of East Anglia.

A trained medical doctor who is perhaps best known as the Sinnerman on the hugely popular ITV quiz show 'The Chase', Paul has been a successful comedian for a number of years. As a club comedian, he has played every major comedy club in the UK, performed in eighteen other countries across the globe, and been three times nominated for Best Club Comedian at the Chortle Awards, winning in 2014.

https://www.paulsinha.com/about/

Adult language - parental guidance advised, 16+

Running time 2 x 40 minute sets with 20 minute interval in between

Drinks can be purchased from the bar to carry in to the Auditorium

The UK's leading short play festival returns! INK Festival 2025 presents an exciting lineup of original plays, comedy, poetry, talks, and performances from acclaimed writers and artists.

THE PLEASURES AND PITFALLS OF WRITING FOR RADIO
Jan Etherington has spent 40 years writing multi award winning radio and television comedy, often with her husband Gavin Petrie. Their first Radio 4 series SECOND THOUGHTS began in 1988 and Jan's latest solo success is CONVERSATIONS FROM A LONG MARRIAGE, starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. A 6th series begins on Radio 4 next month. Jan will share her advice...including how to avoid Harry the Explainer... and answer your questions, on how to write comedy for her favourite medium...Radio!

The Comedy Store Players, the resident improv troupe from the most famous comedy club in the world, have been delighting audiences for over 30 years. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the original stars of ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?' strutting their stuff. Expect lightning-quick reactions and world-class silliness!

*A bottomless supply of surreal sketches, dramatic vignettes and almost tuneful operettas … a must for anyone with a pulse and a sense of humour!* - BBC

https://comedystoreplayers.com/

Not suitable for under 16's

Running time approx: 2 hours including interval

There is a bar at the Cut and drinks may be taken into the auditorium

The UK's leading short play festival returns! INK Festival 2025 presents an exciting lineup of original plays, comedy, poetry, talks, and performances from acclaimed writers and artists.

INKlings Day of Drama with MissAdventures Theatre Company!
Do you have a dramatic 5-7 year old that would love the chance to come and experiment with all things theatre? Do you have a little one at home in need of a boost in confidence and a fun, creative day with no pressure to perform?
MissAdventures Theatre Company are delighted to be joining INK Festival 2025 for the 3rd year running, bringing their own brand of dramatic whimsy designed especially for ages 5-7 years.
With drama games, a huge collection of hilarious costumes, props & hats plus loads of theatrical stimuli to get the creative ideas flowing - this special workshop day will be jam packed full of theatre-making fun!
This class is the perfect gentle introduction to drama with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere but also great for those already used to flexing their theatrical muscles.
Send your young actors our way on Saturday 26 April from 10am - 3pm for a dramatic day of fun.

Improv Comedy Workshop with Joe McArdle

Ready to think fast, laugh hard, and unleash your inner comedy genius? Join award-winning comedian, writer, and master improviser Joe McArdle for a free, fun, and fast-paced improv workshop that’ll sharpen your wit, boost your confidence, and help you own the stage like a pro. Whether you’re a budding comic or just want to break free from overthinking, this session is all about quick thinking, big laughs, and zero pressure. Get out of your head and into the moment—because in improv, there are no mistakes, only punchlines! Free workshop

Workshop Leader Joe McArdle is a twice BAFTA-nominated comedian, writer, and improviser who has made waves across stand-up, TV, radio, and film. A seasoned performer, he has toured the UK with his stand-up, delivering sharp, quick-witted comedy that leaves audiences in stitches. Off-stage, Joe is a prolific writer, crafting comedy for Channel 4, BBC, BBC Radio 4, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. As a co-writer for award-winning satirist Munya Chawawa, he’s helped create viral, razor-sharp sketches that have amassed over 1 billion views worldwide. His work spans theatre, radio, television, and film, proving his versatility in the ever-evolving world of comedy. With a deep understanding of what makes people laugh—whether on stage or behind the scenes—Joe is the perfect guide to help you boost your confidence, sharpen your comedic instincts, and embrace the unpredictability of improv.

Join Martha Loader for a practical workshop on how to get your play noticed by the industry. From script competitions to approaching new writing theatres, how can you make your work stand out from the crowd? We’ll look at how to hook in your initial reader; those crucial first 10 pages; who to approach with your work; how to go about self-producing; and how the process of script development works. An informal and playful deep dive into the nuts and bolts of playwriting as a profession.

Martha is an award-winning writer, actor and producer. Her work has been performed across the UK and internationally. She won the Judges Award at the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, 2022.

She has been involved with INK for many years as an actor, writer and facilitator. Even winning their ‘Promising Young Playwright’ (in the days she could still claim to be ‘young’). She is currently working on commissions with the Almeida Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre and Menagerie Theatre Company and recently undertook the prestigious 4Screenwriting and BBC Voices programmes. She was nominated as a writer for The Stage Debut Awards 2024 for her play Bindweed.

Adult language - parental guidance advised

Running time 60 minutes - no interval

Drinks can be purchased from the bar to carry in to the Auditorium

The UK's leading short play festival returns! INK Festival 2025 presents an exciting lineup of original plays, comedy, poetry, talks, and performances from acclaimed writers and artists.

INK Sunday Funday is a special event running alongside the INK Festival designed for all ages, featuring a lively mix of family-friendly activites, storytelling, comedy, music, and interactive workshops. It’s a chance for audiences to experience the joy of live performance in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

QUIZ NIGHT WITH SAM WEST

A fun night of quizzing and storytelling curated by Sam West.

Gather a table of six or come along and join one of the many tables.

Drinks and snacks available throughout the evening. Yes booze in a church!

Watch this space for more updates.

Suitable for all ages.