It’s three weeks since we launched our 18th Birthday Appeal. In that time, we’ve raised an incredible £3000 from our Crowd of supporters. Thank you so much to each and every one of you who has chipped in; we’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the appeal. We’re now 25% closer to delivering our PlayMakers programme over the next twelve months.

That said, there’s still a way to go. We now have 5 weeks to raise a further £9000 if we’re to hit our £12k target. If we don’t make it, we’ll inevitably have to scale back PlayMakers’ activities if not wrap up the programme. That makes stark reading but underlines the scale of the challenges we face.

The last few years have been incredibly tough. The post-pandemic landscape – declining audiences, risk-averse theatres, greater competition for dwindling funds – has made it nigh on impossible for project-funded new writing companies like ours. In order to survive, we’ve had to make difficult decisions like letting go of our Literary Team and significantly streamlining operations.

But your support has given us hope. We’re more determined than ever to keep championing Northern talent and ensuring we keep vital pathways for playwrights and theatremakers open. New plays are the lifeblood of theatre and playwrights its beating heart. Our campaign will help to keep that heart beating in these turbulent times for our industry. With your help, we’ll make sure the writing’s not on the wall for the next generation of Northern talent.

Thank you for playing your part in our story and joining our crowd! Please keep sharing the campaign and, if you haven’t already, donate today!

Adam & Hannah
Artistic Directors, Box of Tricks