Oxford Playhouse is preparing to welcome over 350 primary schoolchildren from across Oxfordshire for its annual Primary Playmaker Showcase.

The showcase features professional theatre makers from the local area perform a selection of short plays devised by pupils who have taken part in our Primary Playmaker scheme.

Now in its eleventh year, Primary Playmaker begins in the classroom at the start of the academic year. Since September 2025, the Playhouse team has been working with twelve Year 5 and 6 classes from nine Oxfordshire primary schools.

The project supports children’s literacy development through drama and scriptwriting in the classroom. Across ten sessions facilitated by professional theatre makers, pupils use drama-based games and practical skills, including performance and improvisation, to devise their own short plays.

The showcase marks the culmination of the programme, celebrating pupils’ creativity while supporting their literacy, communication, confidence and teamwork.

This year’s theme is Belonging. With the scripts now selected, rehearsals are underway as a team of professional actors prepare to bring the pupils’ creations to life on stage.

After starring in two Playhouse pantomimes, Daisy Ann Fletcher returns to our stage for her second showcase. She is joined by Aaron-Louis Cadogan, who has previously appeared in the Playhouse Playmaker showcase, alongside Oxford-based actors Kara Kavanaugh and Alex Ansdell.

Each selected play has been co-directed by Lucy Findlay and Ben Newman.

For the past three years, Lucy has led many of the Primary Playmaker classroom workshops, and this marks the first time a facilitator has directed the showcase—following the project from its beginnings in the classroom to the final performance. A local artist, Lucy also frequently contributes to The Oxford Experimental Theatre Lab’s Prototype, a regular night of new writing.

Ben is the current MCS Resident Director. His previous work at Oxford Playhouse includes Assistant Director on the critically acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Associate Director on last year’s pantomime Dick Whittington.

The showcase is supported by our in-house technical team, providing light and sound design. It will be presented by facilitator Harriet Gill, alongside the showcase’s co-director Lucy.

Primary Playmaker is the flagship scheme of our Creative Education programme, led by our Participation Team and facilitated by Lucy Findlay, Helen Pearson, and Harriet Gill. This year’s scheme was developed in consultation with the participating schools. It provides clearer scaffolding throughout the process, helping pupils better understand the scheme’s aims and how the project connects to their literacy learning.