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Over 80 theatrical events in nine packed days.

 

DunsPlayFest is the place to be at the beginning of May, 

in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders.

 

Come and join us at our

Festival Hub...

Duns Volunteer Hall - A Heart For Duns!

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A Play, A Film, A Pie and Some Music

Our Programme is LIVE!!
 Full Festival Passes are the best way to see
ALL our shows!
0ur individual show tickets can be bought HERE  
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And here is our Workshop Programme!
All tickets Pay As You Feel  

SATURDAY 2 MAY

We are very excited to see the results of

The Hugo Burge Foundation Residency 

Writing For Theatre.

 

Come a long on

Saturday 3 May

to see a scratch performance of

Emma Howlett's new work! 

TWO DAYS for Families...

Reserve your Place 

Duns Park Here

Duns Castle Here

Tickets are by Donation

MORE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

AT DUNS VOLUNTEER HALL

SUNDAY 4 MAY

 

2.30pm STORYTELLING by Dougie Mackay 

 

3.30pm STUFF a poem by Jonathan Findlay

4pm LJDance Academy

AT DUNS PARISH CHURCH

4pm Tales From The Borderlands (14+)

 

More information on our

DAILY PROGRAMME PAGES

MONDAY 5 MAY
TUESDAY 6 MAY
WEDNESDAY 7 MAY
THURSDAY 8 MAY

And late night comedy with returning artists Damp Knight Comedy. Remember that our late night performances are not suitable for

under 16's

FRIDAY 9 MAY
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SATURDAY 10 MAY
John Mc Ewen Festival DIrector and Richard Demarco shake hands at the closing party for DunsPlayFest 2024

Titan of The Arts and Patron of DunsPlayFest, Richard Demarco congratulates Festival DIrector, John McEwen for an amazing festival!

 

In the words of our beloved Patron, Titan of the Arts, Richard Demarco, we created a 'Howff''. 

I might be the only person who has been to every Edinburgh Festival since it began in 1947 but I think the true spirit of the festival now resides… in Duns... 

DunsPlayFest is all about love.”

Richard Demarco, in his closing night speech at DunsPlayFest 2024 

 

We like to think of our festival of new writing in the Scottish Borders as the Edinburgh Fringe without the hassle. Now in our sixth year, our hub Duns Volunteer Hall, is transformed into a busy festival venue by talented artists, technicians and a whole host of wonderful volunteers. Over nine glorious and heart felt days, it will buzz with new ideas, conversations and the wonder of

 

LIVE THEATRE

 

Would you like to join in? Do you have a play you would like us to consider for performance in 2026....

Our group of interns hold up the DunsPlayFest logo at the end of the get out for 2024

Last year's successful intern scheme (supported by local business Simpson Malt) offered six young people the chance to work alongside professional production technicians throughout the festival. We are looking for sponsors to support an ongoing development to this programme and in 2025 we will have EIGHT interns! 

​There really is something for EVERYONE!

 

Our core aim is to nurture local and emerging talent, in addition to offering established practitioners the opportunity to perform new writing at all stages of its development. 

 

Why Not Join US!

Coming a Long Way to see a show? 

 

Why not stay overnight... go to our accommodation list for some ideas....

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