Latest News: The Maurice Patterson Playwriting Festival 2026 is now open! Please click here to find out all the details.
How The Festival Came About
The genesis of the festival emerged from the discovery of historical minutes from a committee meeting by one of our volunteers. These minutes broached the prospect of initiating a community competition, a notion championed by Maurice Patterson, a pivotal figure within The Arden Theatre, even during its embryonic stages.
Regrettably, Maurice’s untimely demise deprived his family, friends, and our community of his dynamism, wit, and creative prowess before the fruition of this concept. Maurice Patterson, distinguished for his multifaceted talents, including professional writing engagements and contributions to The Arden, left an indelible mark.
In 2022, The Arden Theatre was approached by the Daylight Robbery, a collective of writers displaced from their former venue The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, seeking refuge with access to performance facilities and potential collaboration with actors for their theatrical endeavours.
This convergence seemed opportune, leading to the inception of The Maurice Patterson One Act Play Festival in 2022, with the inaugural showcase of finalists’ works in 2023.
Initially, the festival centred on short plays with a maximum duration of 50 minutes and an unrestricted theme, yielding a commendable response for its debut edition. The finalists, Stephen Condor with Guns and Roses, Mary Onions with Assemble with Care, and Ribs Norman with Butterscotch (pictured), gained acclaim from audiences.
However, it became apparent that our venue lacked the spatial capacity to accommodate performances at the calibre synonymous with The Arden Theatre.
Hence, for the subsequent iteration in 2023/24 and foreseeable future editions, we revised the format. Instead of full-length one-act plays, writers were tasked with crafting concise 10-minute pieces, devoid of elaborate effects or staging, and aligned with a prescribed theme The Seven Deadly Sins.
In early 2024, the culmination of this thematic exploration resulted in the presentation of ‘7 Sins’ through rehearsed readings, akin to radio plays. Both attendees and writers alike embraced the performances, culminating in an evening deemed a resounding success.
The 2026 Festival: Call for Submissions
The Arden, Faversham’s Theatre is proud to announce the return of our much-loved playwriting festival — now in a revised and refreshed format for 2026!
We’re inviting writers of all backgrounds and experience levels, to submit their original 15 minute one-act plays. Selected works will be staged at The Arden, giving writers the chance to see their words brought to life by actors and directors in front of live audiences.
So What’s New?
- A move from 10 minute to 15 minute one-act plays.
- A new and stimulating theme: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
- Writers will receive creative support and workshopping opportunities, if required.
- Winning entries will be performed across two fun and entertaining nights at The Arden, in May 2026.
We welcome bold ideas, fresh voices and stories that we trust will resonate with our community. Whether heartfelt or humorous, thought-provoking or shocking, we want to hear from you.
Submission Deadline: January 3rd 2026. Please see Rules below.
Timeline
- JANUARY – Final submissions must be received by January 3 rd 2026 in a word doc or PDF format to mpoapf.submissions@ardentheatre.org.uk
- FEBRUARY – Selections will be made by end of February 2026. A minimum of four plays will be selected FOR PERFORMANCE. Writers informed. Call for actors/directors.
- MARCH – castings confirmed. General Gathering and rehearsals scheduled. Production meeting. Marketing commences. Production stills.
- APRIL – Finalise programme design. Tech team confirms relevant details. Push ticket sales. April 27 th 28th 29th 30th – rehearsals on stage.
- MAY – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th – final dress and techs. 8th and 9th Performance nights.
2025 Winners
After many hours of reading and discussion, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Maurice Patterson Festival:
Jude And The Fluffy Kittens – Libby Bernard
Hot Water – Pippa Gladhill
Special Delivery – Paul McNally
Last Christmas – Stephen Condor
In the Hall of the Viking Longhouse – Noah Russell
Released on License – Paul McNally
Holiday Crisis – Philip Glascoe
Safe Space – Stephen Condor
Rules
- The festival is open to those living in Kent, UK, all nationalities, but plays must be written in English and unpublished for the duration of the festival.
- Plays must be written for the stage for more than one actor and no more than five actors,
with a running time no more than 15 minutes. - By entering the festival, the writer affirms that their entry is original, and they have sole
rights to all matters contained within the play. The Arden Theatre is not liable for payment
of performance rights. - The authors name and contact details must be removed from all pages of the script. All
pages to be numbered. - The first page of each script should include a play synopsis of no more than 50 words, a
list of characters, a description of setting/time and place. - Entrants may submit any number of plays.
- The organisers will not accept responsibility for the loss of scripts in transit.
- The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence concerning the results will be
entered in to. - Each play will attract £10 entry fee.
- Playwrights may have a cast in mind when writing for performance. This will aid the
production of successful plays.