Pentabus, the nation’s rural theatre company, has announced the eight emerging writers selected for its 2025 National Young Writers development programme. This initiative, delivered in association with Rural Media, aims to nurture the next generation of rural writing talent from across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The selected writers are:
- Roisin Ann Bonar, a Welsh actor and writer known for her role in the S4C series Anfamol.
- Jacob Ethan Tanner, a Welsh writer and actor recently seen in Backstairs Billy in the West End.
- Lucy Heathcote, a disabled writer, actor, and dramaturg.
- Emma-Louise Howell, an award-winning writer from East Anglia.
- Eilidh Nurse, a Scottish writer and winner of the Rose Theatre’s New Writing Festival.
- Noor Sobka, a dramaturg, script-reader, and writer.
- Mackenzie Steed, a working-class writer from Newport.
- Katie Walker-Cook, an actor and writer featured on BBC Radio 4.
These writers will create short plays for digital platforms, with support from Pentabus and Rural Media. Their work will be released in October 2025.
Joanna Freeman, Pentabus Head of Engagement, commented, “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, Artistic Director of Pentabus, added, “It has 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 am sure that they will 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.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
