top of page
PINK SQUIGGLe.png
2 Weeks...
20 Plays...
5 Finalists...
1 Winner!
OFFCUT IS BACK!!!
Screenshot 2024-02-15 at 20.07.36.png

One of the UK’s most successful platforms for undiscovered writing, acting and directing talent found a new home in at 53two in January 2019. Prior to this, the Off Cut Festival had been one of London’s biggest springboards for many new careers and working relationships, all born in the spirit of collaboration, camaraderie and friendly competition. And always with an emphasis on audience engagement. 

 

Read our full history.

What happens?

Now the science...

 

Writers

Over the next few weeks, writers - from or based in the North West of England - can submit a 15-minute version or 15-minute extract from a full length play (80-90 mins). Sixteen will be selected by our team of readers to be part of the Festival.

 

Four more plays will be developed as part of our mentoring programme.

Read our full history.

 

Mentored Writers

We are looking for four people from a disenfranchised, underserved or disadvantaged background, who have never written before, but who have a story they want to share. 

APPLY AS A WRITER BELOW

Selected participants will be mentored by established writers and guided on the writing of their 15-minute submission. Off Cut and 53two are particularly keen to platform important, unheard stories based on lived experiences, but all ideas will be considered.

 

For more information on how to apply for either, click the links below. 

 

These 20 brand new short plays from writers around the North West will be rehearsed by Manchester’s finest up-and-coming directors and actors, ready for performance. 

They will be shown in four groups of five plays:

 

Group One - 23rd & 25th July

Group Two - 24th & 26th July

Group Three - 30th July & 1st August

Group Four - 31st July & 2nd August

THE FINAL - Sunday 3rd August

The audience will then be asked to vote for their favourite plays. The play with the most votes from each group, along with the play with the highest percentage of runner-up votes across all four group will go through to be performed again at the final on Sunday 3rd August. Here, a panel of industry professionals will be awarding prizes alongside the Audience Awards.

 

Each of these plays will be in the running for these awards: 

The Audience Award for Favourite Play 

The Audience Award for Favorite Actors

The Panel Award for Writing

The Panel Award for Directing 

The Panel Award for Ensemble Acting

The writer, cast and director of the Audience Award for Favourite Play will be invited to develop the piece, with support from the in-house team, into a fully-staged production at 53Two.

 

All participants will be asked to take part on a voluntary basis and all proceeds from the event will go directly back into the 53two charity to help them continue their work supporting new talent, new ideas, new creatives and their outreach work across Greater Manchester and Manchester Hospital School. 

IMG_2495.JPG
Screenshot 2024-02-15 at 20.06.36.png
WHITE TEXT WITH SQUIGGLE.png
IMG_2673 2.heic

The Science! 

TAKE PART - WRITERS/ACTORS/DIRECTORS:

To apply to take part, please click on the the relevant button below/opposite. This will take you to a 'sign up' page with full details of what's required of you and when.

WRITERS DEADLINE - 7th April

BUY TICKETS:

As an audience member you can buy tickets for each show.

DATES:

WEEK 1 - PLAY GROUPS A & B

23rd - 26th July

7:30pm nightly

WEEK 2 - PLAY GROUPS C & D

30th July - 1st Aug

7:30pm nightly

THE FINAL

2nd August

1pm & 5pm

Read our full history.

 

TAKE PART - WRITERS/ACTORS/DIRECTORS:

656A6055.jpg

OUR 2025 OFFCUT PLAYS!

12am by Ella Fraser

All of Life’s Little Problems by Steve Connolly

B*stard Boss by Susan Lord

Butterfly by Leslie Davidoff

Cobbled Together by Melissa Parker

Cryin Air by Lauren Bugg

Curves by Tasherelle Jones-Hoyes

Elizabeth, Charles and Lois the Witch by Christine Mackie

Help Yourself by Lee Thompson

Like Son by James Anthony

Mixed Up by Sophie Marie

Pam & Nigel by Elle Warsop

Persephone by Bobbie-Ann Jones

Ruby by Paddy-Joe Moran

Serving by Ellie Holt

Spent Hen by Connie Kerr

The Big Bad by Gemma Langford

The Missing Puzzle Piece by Antonia Veitch

The Reckoning by Dominic Pillai

This Could Have Been an Email by Kat Evans

© 2021 53two. Proudly created with Wix.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
bottom of page