Festival returns to support emerging artists

A creative says a festival is "useful" for emerging theatre and performance artists to get feedback on their work.

The Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton is hosting GenFest 2025, which will feature the work and performances of emerging and established artists.

Lou Chawner, whose has been part of the festival for three years and is returning with his one-man play Sniff The Flowers, said: "I took early versions there... now it has evolved, and actors come in and it is useful."

The event runs 16-22 November and welcomes artists from across Northamptonshire and the East Midlands.

The festival has been running for five years and features a programme of events for audiences along with workshops and one-to-one advice surgeries for the artists.

The theatre was recently named as the UK's "most welcoming" at a national awards ceremony.

Audiences will have also have the chance to give feedback to people to shape the next stage of their work, which Chawner said had previously helped with his progression.

Of Sniff The Flowers, he added: "I did it for the first time November 2022 when I wrote the first draft.

"It is amazing to have the backing of an institution, and to [have] a platform is incredible."

Speaking on BBC Radio Northampton he said his play followed events that had happened to him and that he was "looking forward to the feedback".

The theatre runs an artist development programme called Generate which aims to support the work and development of artists.

Erica Martin, the theatre's associate director, said: "We look forward to showcasing some amazing new work and welcoming people to a brilliant range of workshops and networking opportunities."

GenFest also features four new 30-minute plays created by members of the University of Northampton's acting programme.

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