The Royal Court Theatre has unveiled the full lineup for its third Open Submissions Festival, taking place from Monday, 14th September to Friday, 18th September 2026. Presented in partnership with independent production company Character 7, the event forms a key part of the venue’s landmark 70th anniversary season.
Selected from nearly 4,000 yearly submissions, five new plays will be showcased at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. The festival offers audiences an early glimpse at work from rising dramatists, following in the footsteps of previous entries like Jack Nicholls' Olivier-nominated play The Shitheads.
The festival opens on 14th September with Rebecca Banatvala's comedy Aunties in the USSR, directed by Mayaan Haputantri, following two women who travel to Moscow to scatter ashes, only to encounter the KGB.
On 15th September, Eoghan Quinn’s dark comedy The Nine of Swords, directed by Aaliyah McKay, explores the changing lives of three Dublin tattoo studio workers during a solar eclipse.
Selorm Adonu’s family drama The Honour Table, directed by Aneesha Srinivasan, follows on 16th September. It centres on siblings debating whether to accept an MBE three years after their father's passing.
On 17th September, Sam Ward’s My Son, the Guillotine, directed by Danielle Kassaraté, examines political disillusionment through a tense late-night family reunion.
The festival concludes on 18th September with Nayantara Nayar’s Theertham, directed by Nico Rao Pimparé. The play explores intergenerational relationships and water crisis after a diviner uncovers a hidden spring beneath a widow's garden.
All performances begin at 7:45pm. Tickets cost £8.50, with a £1.50 discount per ticket available for multibuy purchases, and Writers’ Card Members receive 20% off. Tickets are on sale now through the Royal Court Theatre box office and website.
