Crossing Borders, Sharing Stories: Script Club Cardiff’s New Writing Night Shines
On Sunday 19 April, Script Club Cardiff returned to Porter’s Theatre with its latest New Writing Night, this time with an exciting cross-border twist. The event, which once again played to a sold-out audience, showcased the very best of emerging talent through a collaboration with Glasgow-based collective _andfriends.
The evening brought together six original short plays—three by Welsh writers and three by Scottish writers. What made the concept particularly special was its dual-city nature: while Cardiff audiences experienced performances by local creatives, a parallel event unfolded in Glasgow, creating a shared artistic moment across the UK.
The atmosphere on the night was lively and celebratory, with audiences clearly eager to engage with fresh, original work. Script Club Cardiff has built a reputation for championing new voices, and this collaboration only strengthened its mission—offering writers a platform to see their work brought to life, often for the very first time.
Feedback from both audiences and artists reflected the impact of the evening. One attendee described it as “great fun and such a brilliant platform for new projects,” while others praised the initiative for “keeping the arts community alive.” That sense of community was throughout the night, with performers, writers, and audience members all sharing in the excitement of new storytelling.
Events like this hold particular significance in Wales. While they undoubtedly provide vital opportunities for emerging writers to develop their craft and gain exposure, their importance goes far beyond that. For audiences, New Writing Nights offer something refreshingly different, an opportunity to experience stories that are immediate, local, and often deeply personal. Unlike larger-scale productions, these performances feel intimate and accessible, breaking down barriers between artists and audiences.
In a cultural landscape where funding pressures and venue closures can pose real challenges, grassroots initiatives like Script Club Cardiff play a crucial role. They nurture creative talent, strengthen connections within the arts community, and remind audiences why live performance matters. They also help ensure that Welsh voices continue to be heard, celebrated, and developed.
The collaboration with _andfriends highlights another key strength of such events: the ability to build bridges. By connecting Welsh and Scottish creatives, the project fostered a wider exchange of ideas and perspectives, enriching both communities in the process.
If the success of this latest New Writing Night is anything to go by, there is plenty more to look forward to. Script Club Cardiff has hinted at future _andfriends collaborations, promising more opportunities for writers and performers to share their work across borders.
For those keen to stay in the loop, following @scriptclubcdf and @andfriends.scot on Instagram is the best way to catch announcements and upcoming events. If you haven’t yet experienced a Script Club night, it’s well worth adding to your cultural calendar, these evenings are a reminder that some of the most exciting work in theatre is happening right now, in rooms full of curious, supportive audiences.
