Short Plays: Performed on Saturday and Sunday

Big Dog
By Madeleine Farnhill. Directed by Jenny Sealey. 

Set in 18th-century Yorkshire, this play tells the story of a young disabled girl who forms an unexpected bond with a bloodthirsty hound. This gothic folktale delves into themes of female empowerment, societal marginalisation, and the strength found in unconventional alliances.

Captioned with audio description woven in. 

Content warnings:
References to ableism and references to gendered violence.

Cast:
Alexandra James and Mark Lockyer

About the writer:
Madeleine is an award-winning Yorkshire playwright. She trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and is the Writer for Black Bright Theatre. Madeleine primarily writes dark, regional, female-led theatre. Her work has been staged at Bristol Old Vic, The Crucible Playhouse, Liverpool Everyman, Mountview, at the Edinburgh Fringe and in China.

Haunted Meat
By Jordon Grant. Directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin. 

In this play, a woman who believes she has no discernible talents faces her final moments. Frustrated, she seeks advice from her caregiver on how to die well, hoping this might be where her true abilities lie. Their interaction leads to a poignant exploration of life, loss, and the humour that often emerges in vulnerable moments.

Captioned with audio description woven in. 

Content warnings:
Death, emotional distress, violence, suicidal ideation, abuse and trauma (references to traumatic birth).

Cast:
Shazia Nicholls, Halema Hussain and Clare Almond

About the writer:
Jordon is a writer from Billingham. He studied playwriting with Stephen Jeffreys at RADA.  The Ever-Changing Sea won the RSC 37Plays competition to mark 400 years since Shakespeare first folio. Great Northern Divers, made the top 3 in the Theatre Uncut Awards and will have a rehearsed reading directed by Ned Bennett next year.

My Night with El** Mu**
By Jesse Stone. Directed by Nickie Miles-Wildin. 

This play follows a trans sex worker named Riley, who discovers that one of her clients is a billionaire tech mogul. It examines how ordinary people can challenge the status quo and drive real change in a society where wealth equals power.

Captioned with audio description woven in.

Content warnings:
Sexual content (explicit descriptions), violence, substance abuse, mental illness, exploitation, Transphobia.

Cast:
Danielle James

About the writer:
Jesse Stone is a queer crip writer with a lot of feelings. They recently took part in Vital Xposure’s Wellspring Programme, through which they wrote a full length play about trans disabled sex and relationships called ‘how to be a dom when you can’t get out of bed.’

Previously, their work has been performed at VAULT Festival, Paines Plough roundabout, The Courtyard Theatre and Theatre Deli, but they were a different person then.

Rehearsed Readings:
On Saturday

Jinnity
By Shahid Iqbal Khan. Directed by Milli Bhatia.
Co-commissioned by Graeae and the Royal Court Theatre.

In Islamic belief, humans and jinn coexist in parallel realms. Often mistaken for ghosts, jinn are beings made of fire who possess emotions and life experiences similar to those of humans. In Shahid’s play, a mother, desperate to save her daughter from a jinn’s possession, embarks on a supernatural journey to uncover the clues needed for her daughter’s release.

Captioned with audio description woven in .

Content warnings:
Physical assault, sexual assault. Descriptions of sectarian violence and mutilation. Death and horror.

Cast:
Shaheen Khan, Mark Lockyer, Siobhan Athwal, Shazia Nicholls, Arian Nik, Halema Hussain, Seda Yildiz and Usaamah Hussain

About the writer:
Shahid Iqbal Khan developed his play 10 Nights on the Graeae Write To Play programme. The play opened at Bush Theatre in 2021 (a Graeae-Tamasha co-production). 10 Nights was revived by Phizzical Productions for national tours in 2024 and 2025. Shahid currently has commissions with Almeida Theatre, Octagon Theatre, Paines Plough, Ardent Theatre and BBC Radio 4.

On Sunday:

12 Letters To My Name
By Lettie Precious. Directed by Kate Lovell.
Co-commissioned by Graeae and English Touring Theatre. 

12 Letters To My Name follows the story of Tobi and Jay, two immigrant children growing up in England. It explores their challenges with cultural identity and societal expectations. The narrative highlights their personal journeys and sacrifices as they strive to find a sense of “home” within British society while remaining connected to their roots and understanding themselves.

Captioned with audio description woven in.

Content Warnings:
Racism and racial discrimination, emotional distress, substance abuse and mental illness.

Cast:
E.M Williams, Alexandra James, Jamael Westman, Chris Fonseca and Raymond Shaahu

About the writer:
Lettie Precious is a Black British writer. Their writing explores the world as seen through different perspectives, whether queer, Black, non-binary, and/or from those with disabilities.

They are currently under commission to the English Touring Theatre & Graeae, and Theatre Centre, and are developing an original feature film with Long Acre / Air Street Films.