With over 70 theatrical events held over nine packed days, DunsPlayFest is the place to be at the beginning of May, in Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders.
Our Festival hub, The Volunteer Hall, Duns, is suitably decorated for the occasion by local artists; and for nine glorious days DunsPlayFest will host a wonderful melting pot of creative people.

Come and join in!

Watch this space for news of DunsPlayFest 25!

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!

DunsPlayFest 24 was a successful mixture of over 70 theatre events.

A wonderful melting pot of creative people meeting, performing, and watching quality theatre at affordable prices.

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 approaching 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 2025?

Borders Youth Theatre says thank you to Dame Judy Steele

Dame Judy Steele tireless efforts for the Borders' Art scene were acknowledged by DunsPlayFest regulars Borders Youth Theatre!

Our nine day festival of new writing boasts two stages, filled with quality artists from across the Borders and Beyond, including actors, comedians, singer-songwriters and dancers performing everything from rehearsed readings to 5 star professional productions.

We are committed to making quality arts provision accessible to all.

This year's successful intern scheme (supported by local buisness 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.

Shark Bait Theatre perform their show The Rejects written by Jess Ferrier

Shark Bait Theatre Company performing their 5* Fringe show 'The Rejects'

With events as diverse as workshops and rehearsals at Duns Cadet Hall, a Sound Bath and choral recital at St Margaret's Catholic Church and a free family arts day held in the stunning grounds of Duns Castle...

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!