Pentabus Theatre

28/08/2026

Pentabus Youth Theatre is back this September!

Are you aged 11–18 and fancy getting creative, performing, making new friends and developing your acting skills?

Pentabus Youth Theatre meets every Wednesday during term time at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, with weekly sessions led by experienced directors and guest artists.

No experience needed, just enthusiasm. You’ll get the chance to act, devise, create and perform, all as part of the nation’s rural theatre.

📍 Ludlow Assembly Rooms
📅 Wednesdays from September

Places are limited, so sign up now to join us for the new term.

🔗 Find out more and sign up via the link in our bio.

27/07/2026

"Absolutely bloody brilliant!" – Maxine Peake

Pentabus' annual showcase of brilliant new plays, written by rising stars from the West Midlands and Marches, performed by professional actors.

Join us for a funny, honest and vibrant celebration of local voices, exploring their unique perspectives on the world.

The programme will include 8 short new plays by this year’s Young Writers:

Charlotte Brimer | Eilidh Carver | Jenny Hill | Ilina Jha | Crystal Marshall | Ella Niblett | Andred Rhys | Daniel Shakespeare

📅 Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 July
🕢 7.30pm
🎟 www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/raw/

27/07/2026

🎭 Thinking about joining Pentabus Youth Theatre? 🎭

Come and give it a go at the Youth Theatre Taster Session!

📅 Wednesday 5 August
🕐 1.00pm – 3.00pm
📍 Ludlow Assembly Rooms
💷 £5
👥 Ages 11–18

Whether you're already a budding performer or have never stepped on stage before, this is your chance to try something new, meet new people, build confidence and have lots of fun. ✨

Weekly Youth Theatre starts again in September, so this is the perfect opportunity to see what it's all about before signing up.

🎟️ Book your place today! https://pentabus.co.uk/whats-on/youth-theatre-taster-session/ -tickets

27/07/2026

Ever wondered what it's like to be part of a youth theatre?

Come along to the Pentabus Youth Theatre Taster Session and give it a go! Whether you're passionate about performing or just looking to build confidence, make friends and have fun, this is the perfect chance to experience Pentabus Youth Theatre.

No experience needed – just bring your curiosity and creativity.

Find out more and book your place here: https://pentabus.co.uk/whats-on/youth-theatre-taster-session/

Come and find out more about Pentabus’ Youth Theatre in this dedicated taster session for young people aged 11 – 18yrs.

16/07/2026

📢 We're hiring!

Pentabus, the Nation's Rural Theatre, is looking for an experienced Touring Stage Manager to join the team for Birdcatcher, a powerful new play by Laura Waldren.

Directed by BAFTA-winning director Elle While, Birdcatcher will preview to rural audiences this autumn before touring theatres across the UK in Spring 2027.

Produced by Pentabus in association with Papatango Theatre Company and Middle Child.

To apply, send your:
• Cover letter
• Up-to-date CV
• Two references

Applications can be submitted as a Word document, video, voice note or PowerPoint presentation.

🗓 Deadline: 10am, Monday 3 August 2026

Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form and see the full job description for more information.

Apply: [email protected]

📢 We're hiring! Pentabus, the Nation's Rural Theatre, is looking for an experienced Touring Stage Manager to join the team for Birdcatcher, a powerful new play by Laura Waldren. Directed by BAFTA-winning director Elle While, Birdcatcher will preview to rural audiences this autumn before touring t...

13/07/2026

That's a wrap on RAW 2026.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate this year's Young Writers Festival.

It was fantastic to share eight brand new plays from an exceptional group of writers, brought to life by a brilliant cast and creative team. Thank you to everyone who came along, supported new writing and made the show such a success.

And of course, congratulations to our 2026 Young Writers. We can't wait to see where your writing takes you next.

📸 Photography by Andrew Billington.

13/07/2026

That's a wrap on RAW 2026.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate this year's Young Writers Festival.

It was fantastic to share eight brand new plays from an exceptional group of writers, brought to life by a brilliant cast and creative team. Thank you to everyone who came along, supported new writing and made the show such a success.

And of course, congratulations to our 2026 Young Writers. We can't wait to see where your writing takes you next.

📸 Photography by Andrew Billington.

02/07/2026

We're delighted to reveal a new producing partnership with Pentabus Theatre to tour two stage premieres by two Papatango Prize-winning writers. With tours of new plays collapsing since the pandemic, our first collaboration with the brilliant team
at Pentabus puts new plays and new writers at the front and centre of programmes nationwide.

First up, Papatango and Pentabus present the stage premiere of The Silence and The Noise by Tom Powell, touring this autumn.

★★★★★ "A modest masterpiece." The Stage
★★★★ "A delicate love story [of] tenderness and tragedy." The Guardian

Daize has a sharp tongue and a sharper blade. Ben has killer trainers and not much else. She’s determined to protect her mum from his drug-dealing boss – but can two teenagers change their destinies?

Winner of the 2021 Papatango New Writing Prize, selected from over 1,400 scripts, The Silence and The Noise was first produced by Papatango as an audio play under social distancing conditions, before Pentabus adapted it for film. Now, we're joining forces to bring Tom’s extraordinary play to the stage for the very first time, directed by our AD George Turvey.

📍 The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury | 4–6 Nov
📍Bristol Old Vic| 10–14 Nov
📍 Minerva Theatre, Festival Theatre | 17–21 Nov (tickets on sale in September)
📍 Park Theatre London London | 25 Nov – 12 Dec

Photography: Rich Lakos

More info & tickets: https://papatango.co.uk/the-silence-and-the-noise/