THE OLD VIC's Free Festival Begins This Week

Old Vic New Voices announces a brand new festival, celebrating the work of exceptional and emerging playwrights. The event, which is generously supported by The TS Eliot Estate and Arts Council England, will see OVNV alumni join new talent in this five week long theatrical extravaganza.

The festival will mark the 11th anniversary of the Old Vic New Voices initiative which was pioneered by Artistic Director, Kevin Spacey, in order to champion and nurture emerging talent. As his tenure comes to an end, the Old Vic New Voices festival is free, in a bid to open up the theatre to all. Tickets are available via a ticket lottery and programming includes the showcase of a brand new musical, work from developing American and British playwrights, as well as a dynamic schools tour.

Produced, directed and performed by the most exciting budding and established talent that the industry has to offer, they will be staged in front of an invited industry audience as well as members of the public.

Cast includes Game of Thrones star, Richard Madden; War Horse and Great Expectations lead, Jeremy Irvine; Pippa Haywood and Calum Callaghan (Mr. Selfridge); Georgina Lamb (Whitechapel, Hollyoaks); Carly Bawden (My Fair Lady at The Sheffield Crucible with Dominic West); Marc Elliot (EastEnders); Rebecca Scroggs (EastEnders) and Michael Fenton Stevens (Mrs. Biggs, Benidorm, My Family) - many of whom are OVNV alumni.

Playwrights include: Daniel Andersen; Chad Beckim; Thomas Bradshaw; Lucinda Burnett; Jake Brunger (Adrian Mole Leicester Curve); Zoe Cooper; James Fritz (Four Minutes Twelve Seconds - 2015 Olivier nominee); Cat Jones (Doctors, Waterloo Road); Steven Hevey; Jon Barton; Nessah Muthy and Emily Schwend.

Directors include: Derek Bond; Caroline Byrne; Jessica Edwards; Elgiva Field; Richard Fitch; Debbie Hannon; Alice Hamilton; Kate Hewitt; Jamie Jackson; Julia McShane; Kirsty Patrick-Ward; Jack Sain; Melanie Spencer and Jessica Swale.

Neil Darlison, Director, Theatre at Arts Council England, said: "We are delighted to have been able to support the Old Vic New Voices Festival through Grants for the Arts. The chance to create new work that will be showcased on The Old Vic's stage is an exciting opportunity for the participating playwrights. The Old Vic New Voices programme has supported a diverse range of young artists and innovative projects over recent years and the new festival element will help to build on the success achieved to date."