Next generation of Mayo storytellers takes to the stage

THE impressive work of young, up-and-coming Mayo playwrights is to be staged at the Linenhall, Castlebar.

Every Saturday since mid-September, six Mayo teenagers have been choosing to give up precious hours of their free time to take part in an intensive playwriting programme. And as any 15-18 year old will tell you, giving up weekend time is no small commitment!

Run by Fighting Words Mayo in partnership with the Linenhall Arts Centre, this programme - Young Playwrights Mayo - has supported each young playwright as they worked towards creating their own short play. Along the way, trained theatre mentors Paul Soye, Andrew Pelham-Burn and Ersentine Duffy have shared their insights and guidance.

Now that the programme has finished, talented teen writers Maya O Mhorain, Siobhan Lang, Aoibhin NicDonnacha, Kate Sheridan, Keith Flanagan and Emily Waters are getting ready to stage their work in a dedicated showcase event. This will see professional actors Sean Egan, Niamhie Mullarky and Bríd Ní Chumhaill perform rehearsed readings of each of the plays before an audience at the Linenhall on Sunday evening, November 15, under the guidance of professional directors Bob Kelly and Mary Ryan.

Headquartered in Dublin, Fighting Words provides programmes and mentoring in creative writing and related arts to children, young adults and adults with additional needs all over the country. Mentor and facilitator, Mayo-based writer Paul Soye has been involved with the Fighting Words Mayo outreach programme for a number of years now.

Commenting on working with this year’s crop of writers, Paul said: “Walking in on that first Saturday morning, you never quite know what a new group of young playwrights will bring. But I’ve learned to trust the young participants, and this year was no exception - the room practically fizzed with energy. The best part is seeing these unique voices find each other, creating a community of like-minded writers ready to share their ideas and their work.”

The participants themselves were also high in their praise of the programme. “Every week with fighting words promises a welcoming and supportive environment where your imagination can thrive,” said playwright Kate. “The workshops are filled with information and feedback from peers. The opportunities are not limited to playwriting and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Fellow teen playwright Emily, said she ‘really enjoyed’ her experience with the Fighting Words workshop: “I developed my writing skills and I learned about how to write strong characters, staging, plot and how plays are structured.” She added that she ‘enjoyed receiving feedback from the mentors’ and revealed that her confidence in writing has improved.

This sentiment was echoed by another participant, Siobhan, who said she found the programme well worth doing and a lot of fun: “I was scared to start at first because I thought I was not going to be good enough. I was scared to show what I wrote. But then the people there are very nice, both the people doing it and the people running it.”

Admission to the showcase at the Linenhall Arts Centre is free, but advance booking is recommended. Audiences can expect to be treated to six polished pieces of theatre, with a range of themes being explored in each short play.

The diverse subject matter includes a game show host and contestant, a conflict on a deserted island, and, intriguingly, how to educate a daemon on the ways the world has changed since it last visited the planet.

“We are thrilled with the calibre of young Mayo talent and the mentors, directors and actors involved, and we think you will be too,” said Fiona Neary, director of operations at the Linenhall. “The showcase will be a special night for the young playwrights and for us, as supporting emerging creative talent is something that lies at the heart of the Linenhall’s ethos. It will also be a real treat for theatre lovers and supporters.”

For more information on the Young Playwrights Mayo Showcase 2026 and to book a free place in the audience, see linenhall.com or contact the Linenhall box office on (094) 9023733.

This project has been supported by Creative Communities, Mayo County Council, the Arts Council of Ireland, Fighting Words and the Linenhall Arts Centre.