Calling Nottingham's playwrights! Pop-up plays will soon be, well, popping up across the region from car parks to libraries and beyond. But first someone has to write them! It's a bold new idea from theatre group Fifth Word. And Artistic Director Laura Ford tells us more...
Many thanks for spending time with LeftLion today. So, first of all, who or what is Fifth Word?
Fifth Word is an East Midlands-based theatre company dedicated to telling bold, contemporary stories that amplify underrepresented voices. We commission, develop, and tour new work, creating theatre that is powerful, playful, and accessible. Our focus is on fostering creative ambition and championing talent- especially writers who have something urgent to say about our lives and the world today.
So why Fifth Word?
We came across a theatrical quote that said the first four words of a play are often “Act 1, Scene 1, and it’s the fifth word that marks the true beginning- the moment something new takes shape. The fifth word is where the story really starts. That idea of sparking something fresh and unexpected felt like the perfect inspiration for our approach to storytelling.
Is live theatre still relevant in the Tiktok age?
Absolutely! In fact, theatre’s relevance is even stronger. In a world dominated by screens, theatre offers something irreplaceable: real human connection, shared experience, and a sense of presence. It’s one of the rare places where people come together, in the same space, to witness and engage with a story in real time. That immediacy and liveness can’t be replicated by an algorithm.
Connection feels more vital than ever
And Fifth Word is putting together a call-out for Pop-Up Plays. What exactly is a Pop-Up Play?
Pop-Up Plays are short, playful, experimental pieces designed to “pop up” in unexpected places- cafés, parks, libraries, anywhere around and outside of a theatre building. They can be immersive, site-specific, interactive, digital-live hybrids- whatever best suits the story. The key is that they’re flexible, immediate, and invite audiences to experience theatre in new ways.
And will you really be putting on plays in car parks?
Potentially, yes! The whole idea is to take theatre beyond traditional spaces. A car park, a market stall, a waiting room, a quiet corner of a city- if it makes sense for the story and invites a fresh way to connect with audiences, we’re up for it.
Why did you pick Connection as the theme?
Connection feels more vital than ever. In a fast-moving, often fragmented world, we’re interested in stories that explore how, when, and where we connect- or struggle to. Who do we overlook? What moments of connection pass us by? And how can theatre create new opportunities for meaningful encounters?
Who is this opportunity for?
We’re inviting writers, co-writers, and theatre-makers with a strong connection to the East Midlands to apply. You don’t have to be a “trained playwright”- you just need a strong idea and a creative way of telling it. We’re open to all career points, from first-time writers to experienced theatre makers.
What happens to the successful scripts?
Commissioned pieces will go through a development process that could include other creatives such as designers and actors, workshopping the play, and feedback, all designed to support the strongest expression of each idea. Pop-Up Plays will then be produced and performed in late 2025, with the potential to tour further. Our hope is that these plays have a life beyond this first iteration.
What's the secret to good theatre?
Good theatre makes you feel something - it lingers in your mind long after the performance ends. Powerful plays have urgency, a distinct perspective, and a strong emotional core. They don’t have to be big in scale, but they can be big on impact. We believe in theatre that resonates deeply.
Do you think AI could write a competent pop-up play?
Surprisingly, AI could probably generate something functional! But great theatre isn’t just about structuring dialogue - it’s about perspective, responding directly to the world we live in, and emotional truth. Theatre is inherently human, personal and creative. I don’t think AI can truly replicate the spontaneity, nuance, and soul that makes live theatre special- at least not yet.
To find out more about this opportunity for local playwrights, please visit Fifth Word's website. The deadline for submissions is 7 April 2025.
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