Ipswich has announced In the Works, a new arts festival celebrating bold creativity, new voices and original work across the town.
The festival will run from 11 to 27 May and features more than 30 events across eight venues, bringing together leading cultural organisations and independent artists.
Programme partners include New Wolsey Theatre, Brighten the Corners, Eastern Angles, SPILL Festival + THINK TANK, King Street Cinema, Gifted Melon Comedy and Suffolk Community Libraries.
Audiences can expect premieres, works in progress, experiments and one‑off performances spanning theatre, film, comedy, music, spoken word and workshops.
Douglas Rintoul, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of New Wolsey Theatre and Chair of We Are Ipswich, said: “Audiences deserve the chance to experience the newest and most exciting work being made right now. In the Works celebrates the brilliant work organisations across Ipswich already do individually to support new artists and ideas, but by coming together we can concentrate that ambition over two weeks in May and make a bold statement about what we can achieve here. It’s a collective endeavour to take that energy to the max – showcasing the best of UK and international culture while championing the exceptional talent in our town and region and making Ipswich a destination for discovering new work.”
Festival highlights include a dynamic season of new writing at New Wolsey Theatre, featuring award-winning and emerging theatremakers.
SPILL will present Transactionland, an experimental high‑street installation exploring economics through playful encounters and live events.
King Street Cinema will screen a selection of bold films including Drawn From Life, Our Land, Shepherd and the Bear and Sundance award winner DJ Ahmet.
Brighten the Corners brings music-led performance with Styrofoam Winos, Brown Spirits and ICHI, blending song, storytelling and theatricality.
Eastern Angles will present new writing via its Play, Pizza, Pint Night and offer work in development such as I Am Not Ian McKellen and Shed Stories.
Ipswich Library will host intimate music performances curated by the Booked young producers’ programme, featuring emerging musicians and writers from Bound/Unbound.
Gifted Melon Comedy will present live stand‑up shows, featuring newcomers, established acts trying new material and a secret TV headliner.
With performances, films, creative sessions and community-led events across multiple venues, In the Works positions Ipswich as a destination for discovering innovative new work.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
