Are you a performance poet with a brilliant idea for a show? Do you have a work in progress that’s ready to step out of your notebook and meet a live audience?

This festival is a chance for performance poets to test new material, gather real feedback and build the foundation for their next full-length show. Whether you’re at the idea stage or have a chunk of new writing, this is for you.

There are two ways to get involved in Scratch Festival.

Pitch Stop
Format: 3-minute pitch of your show concept, followed by a moderated live Q&A and feedback session with the audience.
Best for: Artists with an idea they believe in and who want to see if there’s an audience for it, plus direction before writing a full script.

Scratch Showcase
Format: 10–15 minute live performance extract from a show in active development.
Best for: Artists who have written material ready to share and need to see how a live room responds to the rhythm and narrative.

All performing artists will receive a performance fee of £250 and travel within the UK will be covered.
Location of Scratch Festival 2026: Storyhouse, Chester
Performance date: 11 November 2026

Find out more here

Deadline: 12pm on 21 September 2026