What is HER|Fest?

HER|Fest is a festival dedicated to championing new writing by women.

Each year, we celebrate outstanding female playwrights while providing a platform for exciting new plays, fresh voices and bold storytelling. Our productions are often directed by women and feature strong female-led casts, creating a festival that celebrates women’s creativity both on and off the stage.

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Who is HER|Fest for?

HER|Fest welcomes everyone.

Whether you’re a playwright, performer, director, producer, student, theatre professional or simply someone who loves great stories, we’d love you to join us.

While the festival celebrates women’s voices, audiences of all genders are warmly welcomed.

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What makes HER|Fest different?

HER|Fest isn’t simply about producing plays.

Our mission is to champion new female-led writing, creating opportunities for playwrights to have their work seen, heard and discussed by audiences and industry professionals alike.

We’re passionate about introducing new stories—and the women writing them—to the world.

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What kind of work will I see?

Every HER|Fest programme is built around new plays written by women.

You’ll experience stories that are contemporary, thought-provoking, entertaining and emotionally rich, spanning a wide range of themes, genres and perspectives.

From comedy to drama, intimate character pieces to bold theatrical experiences, no two festivals will ever be the same.

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Why focus on female playwrights?

For centuries, women have been telling extraordinary stories, yet female playwrights continue to be underrepresented across many stages.

HER|Fest exists to celebrate established writers while creating opportunities for emerging voices to share their work with new audiences.

By investing in women writers today, we’re helping shape the theatre of tomorrow.

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Is the festival only for women?

Not at all.

HER|Fest celebrates women’s writing and creative leadership, but everyone is invited to attend.

Great theatre belongs to everyone.

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Can I submit a play?

We hope so!

Future opportunities for script submissions and festival participation will be announced on our website and social media channels.

We’re always excited to discover new voices.

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I’m an aspiring playwright. Should I come?

Absolutely.

HER|Fest has been created not only to celebrate established writers, but to inspire the next generation.

Whether you’re halfway through your first play or already developing your tenth, we hope you’ll leave feeling inspired, connected and ready to keep writing.

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Will I be able to meet the writers?

Yes.

Many of our playwrights, directors and performers will be attending throughout the festival, giving audiences opportunities to ask questions, network and continue the conversation after performances.

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Where will HER|Fest take place?

This Year HER|Fest is being held at St Mary’s Creative Space, Chester.

Its intimate setting makes it the perfect place to discover exciting new writing and connect with fellow theatre lovers.

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Do I need to book in advance?

Yes!

As performances take place in an intimate venue, we strongly recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

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Are all of the plays full-length?

Our programme is designed to showcase a variety of exciting new work.

Depending on the year, audiences may experience rehearsed readings, short plays, extracts, work-in-progress performances or full productions.

Every piece has been selected because it deserves an audience.

This year, we have a mix of one-woman and two-hander performances, each running between 35 and 50 minutes.

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Will there be opportunities to network?

Yes.

One of HER|Fest’s aims is to connect writers, directors, performers, producers and audiences.

We encourage conversations throughout the festival and hope new collaborations will begin here.

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Is the venue accessible?

Yes. We want HER|Fest to be welcoming to everyone.

If you have any access requirements, please let us know before your visit and we’ll do everything we can to support you. Providing clear accessibility information in advance is considered best practice for literary and theatre festivals.  

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Will there be content guidance?

Some of our productions explore complex or sensitive themes.

Where appropriate, we’ll provide content guidance in advance to help you choose the performances that are right for you. Many theatre festivals now provide this information as part of making performances more welcoming and accessible.  

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How can I support HER|Fest?

You can support us by:

Buying a ticket

Sharing the festival with friends

Following us on social media

Joining our mailing list

Volunteering in future festivals

Becoming a sponsor or partner

Championing new female writing

Every ticket sold helps another new voice find an audience and supports Women in the Creative and Production Arts Industries.

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Why ‘HER’?

Because every great play begins with a voice.

HER|Fest celebrates the women writing the stories that move us, challenge us and change the way we see the world. By championing new female playwrights—and the directors and performers who bring their words to life—we’re creating a space where fresh voices can be heard, celebrated and discovered.

Today’s new writers are tomorrow’s classics.