Alice Birch News

The Critics' Circle has announced the nominations for the 2026 Theatre Awards, highlighting outstanding theatrical achievements.

STARZ has acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the five-part thriller The Listeners, starring Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Rebecca Hall and directed by Janicza Bravo

Ipswich playwright Martha Loader has been awarded the 2025 George Devine Award for her play The Town, which confronts how an act of societal transgression impacts the lives of those orbiting it.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed this year's finalists for the prestigious international playwriting award- the largest and oldest award recognising women+ writers for plays of outstanding quality written for the English-speaking theatre. 

The George Devine Award has revealed its 2025 Shortlist of four playwrights. Formed in 1966 in memory of the Royal Court’s founding Artistic Director George Devine, the Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in new writing.

Alice Birch’s Romans, a novel is an expansive portrait of literary masculinity through the ages. With an ever-shifting form, an array of subtle references, and an intricate, thought-provoking script, this is a play that many will find difficult and impenetrable. At its core, however, it’s a truly perceptive piece that understands masculinity like little else.

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Oliver Johnstone about playing Marlow in Romans: A Novel. We discussed what his research process is like for getting into character, the importance of discussing the role of masculinity in modern times and even what it’s like to perform in a new work versus a classic piece like a Shakespeare play.

Written between 1930 and 1932, The Lady Macbeth of the Mtensk District was first performed in 1934 - and received a scathing write-up in the Pravda newspaper in 1936, due to its graphic sexual violence and murderous female lead. Whilst it alludes to Shakespeare’s infamous character, the opera is actually based on Nikolai Leskov’s novella of the same name; it also inspired William Oldroyd’s 2016 film starring Florence Pugh, whose screenplay was written by Alice Birch.

The full cast has been announced for Alice Birch’s new play Romans, a novel, a monumental, kaleidoscopic portrait of masculinity from the nineteenth century to the present day, exploring how male narratives have shaped the world we know. 

Last night, young people reopened the Dorfman stage for this year's Connections Festival. Ten groups youth groups from across the UK are performing new plays this week on the Dorfman Stage, recently closed for eight months due to capital works.

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, has announced Writers' Room Festival – a 6-day festival of new writing celebrating talent from Kent and beyond with a programme of plays, rehearsed readings, writing workshops, talks and panel discussions.

I [BLANK] möter vi kvinnor som på olika sätt har hamnat i kontakt med rättsväsende och socialtjänst i en brutal verklighet. De som själva har begått grova våldsbrott.

The Almeida Theatre has announced Rupert Goold’s final season as Artistic Director. The final season of Goold’s tenure as Artistic Director will include 10 productions, including four world premieres, a musical revival, and reimaginings of classic plays.

The 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been given to U.S. playwright a.k. payne for their play Furlough's Paradise. Awarded annually since 1978, the prestigious international Prize is the largest and oldest award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. 

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced this year's finalists for the prestigious international playwriting award. Learn more about the finalists and the award here!

The National Theatre has announced further details and casting for previously announced shows in Director Rufus Norris' final season. Learn more about the upcoming productions here!

Artificial Intelligence, erasure, coercion, faith, unrequited love and social housing amongst subjects explored within the five shortlisted plays announced as contenders for the 2024 George Devine Award. 

HighTide has announced the six mentors for the new HighTide Writer’s Group. The mentors are Alice Birch, Jez Butterworth, Lolita Chakrabarti, Dennis Kelly, Anoushka Lucas and Winsome Pinnock.

Available Light Theatre will present LUNCH BUNCH by Adrian Einspanier. Learn how to purchase tickets.

UTA has named Patrick Herold and Rachel Viola co-heads of the agency’s theatre practice. Read more.