Scrum Theatre Will Host Summer Writing Workshop Programme at Riverside Studios

SCRUM Theatre has announced a summer programme of workshops, masterclasses and intensives at Riverside Studios, bringing leading industry voices into direct conversation with early-career artists. This season of workshops will be focussed on writing, with acclaimed practitioners providing entry points into their craft.

The programme forms a central part of SCRUM's new residency at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, building on the organisation's recently announced partnership with the venue and marking the next phase of its work supporting artists in London.

Launching on 9 May, the programme opens with  Philip Shelley on Screenwriting: The Craft and the Career, a three-hour workshop exploring both the creative and professional realities of screenwriting, followed by an informal networking session for participants. On 21 May, SCRUM's Artistic Director Lucie Dawkins will be in conversation with David Hare for a special event, Protecting the Playing Space, reflecting on the current state of theatre-making in the UK.

SCRUM's writing programme brings together a range of acclaimed practitioners, across late May, June and July.  On 30 May, Louis Emmitt-Stern leads Crafting compelling plays, followed by World Building with Josh Azouz on 20 June and Redrafting with Beth Flintoff on 27 June, each session paired with time for participants to connect and exchange ideas. The masterclass programme concludes on 11 July with Character a workshop led by Sonali Bhattacharyya.

Alongside the writing workshops, SCRUM will also run two practical performance ‘gym' series, designed to give performers and theatre-makers a consistent space to develop their practice. Scene Study Gym led by SCRUM founding member Rebecca Banatvala runs weekly from 27 May, while Clown Gym with fellow founding member Claire Parry beings on 28 May, with both programming continuing across four weeks.

The summer programme, which sits at the heart of SCRUM Theatre's Artistic Development Programme, providing accessible, high-quality training and mentorship for early-career artists, SCRUM's programme will continue into the autumn, including a five-day intensive led by Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, Tell Me a Tale x Black Phantastic: Play in a Week, running from 26 to 30 October.

SCRUM Theatre's residency at Riverside Studios follows a period of significant growth for the organisation. Since early 2024, it was based at 191 Talgarth Road, transforming a former council archives building into a vibrant creative hub that supported more than 3,300 creatives and delivered free and pay-what-you-can training to over 630 early-career theatre makers. The company departed the Talgarth Road site in March 2026 and has since established its new base at Riverside Studios, marking the next phase in its development.

Wofai JE, SCRUM Theatre Executive Director, says, “Our move to Riverside has meant an exciting and strategic step forward for SCRUM Theatre. We are proud of what we built at Talgarth Road: a thriving creative hub supporting artists every single day. Becoming a Resident Company at Riverside Studios allows us to build on that momentum within one of London's most richly textured cultural venues. This summer programme is a key part of that next chapter, creating practical opportunities for artists to develop their craft, connect with one another, and access leading voices from across the industry.”

The residency enables SCRUM Theatre to expand its wider programme, including its Shakespeare's School Project, an innovative GCSE resource for teachers; Fresh Ink, a playwriting initiative for local teenagers; and its ongoing programme of workshops and masterclasses led by leading practitioners.

Lucie Dawkins, SCRUM Theatre Artistic Director, says, “This next chapter allows us to deepen our focus on creating empowering spaces for theatre makers to create bold and rigorous work. This summer programme is about opening up space for artists to take risks, build skills and be in dialogue with each other and with established voices in the industry. Riverside Studios has spent half a century housing companies at the cutting edge of theatrical experimentation; we are excited to become part of that history and deepen the impact of our work.”

SCRUM Theatre Patron, Olivier Award winner and Tony nominated actor, Adrian Lester says, “SCRUM Theatre wears its huge heart on its sleeve. It aims high while making sure it never lets go of its founding principles. Theatre is for everyone. The more different the perspectives of those in the room, the better the work will be. SCRUM likes to say “How you make is just as important as What you make.” In my opinion, every society needs a company like this. It is an honour, as their patron, to watch the company grow.”

Rhys Williamson, Head of Programming at Riverside Studios, said: Riverside Studios is delighted to welcome SCRUM Theatre as a Resident Company and to support the next phase of its work. This summer programme is a brilliant example of the kind of artist development work we're proud to champion, and we're excited to see new artists and audiences engaging with the building in the months ahead.”

SCRUM Theatre looks forward to welcoming artists and audiences to Riverside Studios this summer as it continues its mission to create ambitious, accessible and artist-led theatre.

Learn more at https://riversidestudios.co.uk/.