THE largest producing community theatre in Europe is looking forward to a season of new plays in 2021.

This year’s New Play Season at Titchfield Festival Theatre was a huge success, with five new plays and a brand new adaptation of a classic performed and audiences increasing by 45%.

Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, the theatre is temporarily closed. However, this has not stopped producers getting prepared for next year.

The New Play Season encourages authors to submit their work, have it performed and gain a wider audience. It's a showcase for new writers locally and from further afield.

The 2020 productions had a number of highlights. The Last Secret, written by local Titchfield author Janette Evans, was a major critical and audience success. Hauntings by Johnny O’Hanlon similarly had a great reception, together with the two Roger Goldsmith plays, Inside Out and Freehold which are due to transfer to other locations.

Kevin Fraser, Artistic Director of Titchfield Festival Theatre, said, “The season is rightly establishing itself on the Titchfield calendar. We performed six plays this year; Word of Mouth was the only cancellation. The Last Secret was a particular success; brilliant acting and a great script. I loved it.

“We are not resting on our laurels though… and I promise you that 2021 is going to be even better.

"There are going to be another six new plays and we are looking to commission them around specific themes. These are difficult times for the arts and people working in the creative industries; so we intend to help people and provide opportunities for them to see their work performed. These may be challenging times; however with so much exciting new talent out there, there is much to be hopeful for.”

Full details of the 2021 season at Titchfield will be published later in the summer.