The   8th annual INK Festival takes place on April 11-14 in Halesworth, Suffolk. The festival will expand further across the town, creating more original performance spaces, and showcasing 70 new short plays for both stage and radio. These plays are chosen from nearly a thousand submissions reflecting the talent of both new as well as experienced writers, many from our region.

INK’s Youth Festival Day on April 15 once again provides an exclusive, unique and free opportunity for students to experience live theatre.

What sets the INK Festival apart is that every play is selected, cast and produced by INK. These original plays are all under 20 minutes. Each entry is read at least 5 times before a short list is formed. Directors then make their choices from this selection. INK casts the plays from auditions in Suffolk and London bringing together a team of more than 60 professional theatre practitioners.

This year the diverse submission categories include: A Play on a Bus, Planet INK, Cock Ups, Treasure and Radio Comedy creating a wide variety of relevant, entertaining and thought-provoking plays.

There are also a number of 5 -minute plays from some very special supporters  – The INKredibles: John Boyne, Jon Canter, Christopher Douglas, Jan Etherington and Rachel Joyce.

Beyond the plays the festival boasts an exciting line-up of stand-up comedy, art, poetry, music, children’s programmes, fascinating talks, workshops, short new films and much more.

Sunday Funday (April 14) transforms the Market Square with street performers, music, stalls and food – an ideal free event for families to enjoy.

Luke Wright has curated a stunning line up of performance poets featuring James McDermott, Alice D’Lumiere, Martin Figura, Kate Fox and Elvis Mc Gonagall. Luke himself showcases his new show Joy on Saturday April 13. See more details about the poets HERE. All these events are included in your ticket for the relevant day.

There will be workshops to help you write better scripts, better comedy and better poetry! And special guests to enlighten you! BOOK HERE

All these events are covered by the DAY ticket  – prices from £25.00.

Day Tickets for students 16-25yrs £10.00. A carer ticket is available for free. Under 16yrs are free with an accompanying adult.

Here’s how to buy tickets by cash or card.

www.inkfestival.org

 

STOP PRESS – LOOK HERE FOR INK SPECIAL EVENTS. Included in your day tickets

Including: Charlie Mackesy, Juliet Stevenson CBE, Jan Etherington and our INK Youth Showcase.

In addition, there are four separate ticketed EVENING performances at Cut Theatre

Thursday 11 April  THE COMEDY STORE PLAYERS 7pm £20

An evening of the very best improvised comedy performed at an eyewatering pace.Formed in 1985 this group of comedy players has included Sandi Toksvig and Paul Merton. Today the group features Josie Lawrence, Lee Simpson, Neil Mullarkey and Richard Vranch.  

Friday 12 April  SUFFOLK SHORTS AND ORCHESTRA OF SAMPLES by ADDICTIVE TV  7pm  £20

 A treat of a double bill from two Suffolk greats.

Six of the best new short films with splendidly varied tales selected by Suffolk Shorts from their successful 2023 Short Film Festival.

Followed by a rhythmic treat Orchestra of Samples – a musical journey without borders by artists Addictive TV with guest musicians.  “Ingenious and compelling” The Times. “Beautiful stuff and a fascinating project” Cerys Matthews BBC Radio 6. From Senegal and Kazakhstan to Colombia, India, China and many more, immerse yourself in mesmerising rhythmic dialogues with live musicians on stage and sampled musicians on screen, and discover instruments you never knew existed! A special one-off performance for the INK Festival.

Saturday 13 April GAFFA TAPE with MARK THOMAS  8pm £20 

One of the few stand-ups still to carry the political standard of alternative comedy, “I rant, tell jokes, sing some songs and urge the audience to join the comedic equivalent of the Red Army Faction. Basically, don’t come if you are a Tory unless you actually want to be a hostage. Everyone else is welcome. Everyone else is loved.”

 

Sunday 14 April THE BIG BAND MUSINKAL FINALE 7pm £20

If you’ve ever watched a film, enjoyed a TV show or heard a radio broadcast, seen a West End show or listened to almost any piece of music, then you will have heard many of these musicians. You don’t know their names because they are from that select, elite group of players known as ‘session musicians’. Over the past few years, they’ve featured on Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice, The X Factor, The Olympics, broadcasts by the BBC Big Band, the BBC Concert Orchestra and too many films and TV dramas to mention. They are anonymous, back-room people who arrive, play, and go away again having shown a level of expertise that still amazes and confounds.

They will play a selection of music put together by Dick Walter. A Festival Finale to lift the roof off The Cut!