"An exultation of the possible!

DunsPlayFest (established 2019) is an annual nine-day celebration of new drama, community, creativity and joy, now firmly established around the beginning of May and getting ready to burst into life in Duns on Friday 26th April. A FREE party will announce the start of this jam-packed and ever-more-popular festival of plays, readings, workshops, children’s performances, comedy, music, hot food, good drink, conviviality and fun. With its special blend of local talent and the very best of professional touring theatre, DunsPlayFest remains unique. With the Volunteer Hall in Duns skillfully adorned for the occasion, everyone who comes through the door knows that they are in for an extraordinary time - a time of magic and wonder, of challenge and deep thought – a time to be remembered!" (John McEwen, Festival Director)

There is a strong Borders theme runnign through the festival - not just because we feature so many local performers - but also in the stories we tell. Find out about
'The Monk of St Anthony', retelling one of the ever-popular Wilson's Tales; 'The Fatal Misjudgement' of Mary Queen of Scots; 'Wojtek the bear' a short film about the Borders wartime hero; or 'El Duglas' telling of the exploits of the Black Douglas. Not to mention the third in the series of Duns Players hysterical productions 'Nothing ever happens in Duns!' Nothing could be further from the truth!

Featuring DunsPlayFest regulars:
Duns Players, Firebrand, Tideline Runners, Borders Pub Theatre, Borders Youth Theatre, Hot Trod Theatre, Mon Espoir and Contrappuntistica.

With new work from:
Clare Prenton, Damp Knight Comedy, Lynn Joyce Dance Academy, Maria MacDonell, Robert Sproul-Cran, Tom Murray, Jane Houston-Green and many more.

Local schools and universities are involved as we offer an opporunity for drama students to present their work.
Every day there will be a wide range of music to be enjoyed for free - from jazz to classical, blues to rock – and in the evenings we will be presenting spoken word, poetry and comedy on the cabaret stage - there really is going to be something for everyone!

Just drop in and see what is going on from 2pm each day!

Enjoy live music from:
Antic Hay, Suzi Swing, Scottish Blend, Rory McLeod, Urangmatang, Butter, Fire in the Middle, The Doc, Green Fingered Dons and the Rolling Hills Folk Club - with such an amazing round up of talent across so many music genres - there will be something for everyone.

Our 2 hour lunchtime workshops and talks offer creative engagement opportunities for those looking to build or extend their skills in theatre-making. These daily workshops are led by professionals in creative and script writing, comedy improv, acting and direction, sound production and movement.

DunsPlayFest offers an exciting and extensive programme of free performances as we want to encourage everyone to join in the fun!​

After the free opening party in the evening of Friday 26 th April, our opening day of shows will begin with storytelling at 2pm on Saturday 27th April, at the Volunteer Hall in Duns, with stories of Dragons and The Cailleach.
One of the highlights of our festival will be the FREE Family day at Duns Castle, hosted with the generous help of Aline and Alick Hay. On Sunday 28th April, from 12 noon until 4pm, visitors to the beautiful Castle grounds will be treated to performances by Borders Youth Theatre, Hopscotch Circus, and Rowanbank Environmental Arts. There will be workshops from the Little Theatre and Spinning Jenny’s Circus Skills. Why not come hungry and sample the delights of Borders caterer Cherry on The Top? We really do think this is the cherry on the top of our wonderful day.
Reserve your place https://buytickets.at/dunsplayfest/1122149 .
Don’t worry if it’s raining as we will have shelter! And if you have enjoyed this day why not come to more - tickets start from as little as £3!

Go to www.dunsplayfest.org.uk for full programme details.

TICKETS
Tickets are on sale online but are also available at the door. Prices vary, but the best option is to purchase a Day pass at £18 (£15 concession) which will give you access to everything happening from 2pm onwards that day. Typically that will include 3 to 4 plays, and 2 or 3 cabaret entertainers.

Hot meals will be available for sale from 4:30 each evening.

URLs:
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2349535-2?pid=2613 
YouTube: https://go.evvnt.com/2349535-4?pid=2613 
Instagram: https://go.evvnt.com/2349535-5?pid=2613 

Prices:
Day Pass (adult): GBP 18.00,
Day Pass (concession): GBP 15.00

Artists: Firebrand, Tideline Runners, Borders Youth Theatre, Urangmatang, Rory McLeod, Hot Trod Theatre, Clare Prenton