WIP
Three weeks. New work, unfinished on purpose. Independent makers putting it in front of an audience for the very first time.
The WIP grows out of a founding principle of Playhouse East: that work should get in front of an audience as part of how it’s made — not only once it’s finished.
Lower the friction
We’re opening our doors to the new wave of creators in London and beyond — making it easier to get new work in front of a real audience, sooner.
Build an audience
Gaining an audience is part of the road to full production. The WIP is where that relationship starts.
Instant feedback
Many pieces end with an open feedback session — makers hear directly from the room while the work is still taking shape.
Opening Night
Shosha
Inspired by Isaac Bashevis Singer's novel, SHO-SHA follows Aaron Greidinger, a young Jewish writer in 1930s Warsaw. As Nazi occupation closes in, he…
Book →
Sandra
“Did I wanna be there? About as much as the local pisshead wants to hear the bell for last orders. But c’est la soddin’ vie, isn’t it?” Sandra’s…
Book →
Proud Mary
‘Proud Mary’ is a love letter to an immigrant’s ever-complex relationship with her own immigrant mother, recounting the often ridiculous journey from…
Book →Work in Progress
Shosha
Inspired by Isaac Bashevis Singer's novel, SHO-SHA follows Aaron Greidinger, a young Jewish writer in 1930s Warsaw. As Nazi occupation closes in, he…
Book →Sandra
“Did I wanna be there? About as much as the local pisshead wants to hear the bell for last orders. But c’est la soddin’ vie, isn’t it?” Sandra’s…
Book →Proud Mary
‘Proud Mary’ is a love letter to an immigrant’s ever-complex relationship with her own immigrant mother, recounting the often ridiculous journey from…
Book →
Edgecase Probability
An unflinching, comical, chaotic look at loving someone through illness. And if that sounds serious, don't worry - the inspiration is Miss Piggy.
Book →
Save the Tiger
Following her son's death in a tiger attack, Raya struggles to make sense of what happened - and to decide which version of the truth she can live…
Book →
Miam Miam
Everyone wants to feel special - especially you, Miam Miam. MIAM MIAM is the newest work-in-progress show from the team behind Magdalena, Woman of…
Book →
The Beach is a Place for Looking
Sydney and Sarah, best friends, laze on the beach looking at men. They wait for one man whose face they see in everyone, and no one. They watch, and…
Book →
Many Ways to Skin a Cat
Aspiring writer – and current glorified babysitter – Vera gets the opportunity to create a TV series based on her beloved Italian grandmother’s life,…
Book →
Hot Pot 火鍋
In this tale of friendship, love, and authenticity, four friends reunite at a hot pot restaurant after the pandemic, reminiscing about their past…
Book →
Our Mother's Daughters
Our Mothers’ Daughters follows three best friends — a promising artist, a university dropout, and a wannabe homemaker — a sisterhood of lovable…
Book →
Josh Glanc: Work-in-Progress
Josh Glanc is making a brand new show. It’s not finished and he doesn’t know what it will be called, but he really wants to show you some of it.
Book →
After Ive
Damon, an aspiring theatre director, was at Cambridge at the same time as Thomas Ive. While Ive’s career skyrocketed, Damon slipped into obscurity.…
Book →
Eulogy
On the eve of their father’s funeral, three siblings and a spouse gather in his garage to finish writing his eulogy. But as buried tensions resurface…
Book →
Plane Girls
“Sometimes plane get delayed… You know what delay is? Is when the pilot hears a noise in the engine… We wait to find a different Pilot who cannot…
Book →
Mind Blowing
MIND BLOWING is a dark comedy following five clients of Miracle Transformations, a programme promising to make them their most attractive selves. Cut…
Book →
The Invisible Saxophone
A one-woman show performed by a man. Dasha is afraid of the stage. She hires an actor to speak for her. He says "I." He means her. A tragicomedy…
Book →
The Dead Man
THE DEAD MAN Written and performed by Rommel Rasheed A work-in-progress one-man show set in Kurdistan. Part testimony, part metaphorical monologue,…
Book →
House No.17
Magical Thinking
Written and directed by Eve Lamb, Magical Thinking is an experimental multimedia theatre piece performed by Sandra Belarbi, featuring Rachel Sweeney,…
Book →
Teeth
An overworked Tooth Fairy’s night shift is derailed when she arrives at a grotty East London flat and finds not a sleeping child, but a lonely adult…
Book →
Hyaku-ban
Hyaku-ban is a play based on the true story of Izzy Rose, who spent five and a half months inside Osaka Detention Centre after being arrested for…
Book →
This Will Heal Me
Canadian comedian Rakhee Morzaria will do anything for a laugh, but this time she promises *not* to focus on jokes to get through this show. In fact,…
Book →
Guests of Honour
Guests of Honour is a funny, volatile family drama set over one day and night in a South Asian home. When unexpected arrivals disrupt the household,…
Book →
Brittle Fist
WIP Masterclasses
Free and ticketed sessions running alongside the shows — craft, casting, technique, and a chance to meet the makers.
Day by Day
Times and titles may shift during the festival — always check the ticket page for the latest.
Good to know
Pay What You Can
The WIP runs on Playhouse East’s Pay What You Can principle — over 20,000 hours subsidised since 2018. Pricing for each piece is on its ticket page.
How feedback works
Shows marked + feedback end with a short, hosted session. Stay in the room and tell the makers what landed.
Where
Playhouse East — an independent venue for new writing and devised work in London.
Make work with us
Got something unfinished you want in front of an audience? Get in touch →