One of the UK’s leading theatre companies, HighTide, have announced their plans to present a festival of new work at Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre from 22-24 October. 

Inventing the Future consists of two elements: a programme of rehearsed readings combined with industry events for theatremakers in the East of England, alongside an online programme in partnership with the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain. 

The event marks HighTide’s move from Aldeburgh and Halesworth to its new base at the New Wolsey Theatre where it will create professional theatre productions, artist development and participatory programmes all year round. 

The festival will showcase six new plays, which will support new and diverse talent during the pandemic. The playwrights selected include Kelly Jones, Waleed Akhtar, John Webber, Zain Dada, Nicole Latchana and Kat Rose-Martin. Their work explores issues ranging from the climate crisis to the growing radicalisation of young, working class, white men. The full programme, including free workshops and talks, will be announced soon. 

HighTide’s artistic director and chief executive, Suba Das, said: “We are so proud to mark our return to live theatre performance with Inventing the Future. This one-off festival celebrates all we have achieved in these challenging times and marks our commitment to new relationships and practices forged during the pandemic.”

For more information, please click here.