Soho Theatre Walthamstow and British Pakistan Foundation launch a brand-new talent development programme for aspiring writers from Pakistani backgrounds: the Soho Theatre Walthamstow and British Pakistan Foundation Writers’ Lab.
- 8-week in-person course for aspiring writers aged 18–35 from British-Pakistani and Pakistani backgrounds, running weekly from w/c 24 November – w/c 9 March at Soho Theatre Walthamstow
- Led by award-winning British-Pakistani writer Ishy Din (Snookered/Tamasha/Oldham Coliseum/The Bush, Ackley Bridge/Channel 4, John Barnes Saved My Life/BBC Radio 5 Live, Whose Baby/BBC Radio 4)
- Lab series developed in response to research by British Pakistan Foundation which highlights a strong demand amongst young people of Pakistani heritage for more creative opportunities.
- By the end of the course, participants will have created a 2.5-minute audio piece, which will be professionally recorded.
- 16 places available, applications open 19 September – 19 October.
This project will be part of a series of artist development opportunities that sit at the heart of the brand-new Soho Theatre Walthamstow and its mission to launch as a local theatre with a national profile.
Participants will learn how to generate ideas, develop characters, and write compelling dialogue, whilst also being encouraged to discover their unique voice and create work that is bold, innovative, and boundary-pushing.
Soho Theatre is London’s most vibrant producer of new theatre, comedy and cabaret, with a central London venue (W1) and, as of May 2025, a major new 960-seat venue in Walthamstow (E17). Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a local theatre with a national profile, presenting the best UK and international work alongside a dynamic creative engagement programme, including Stand-Up Comedy, Character Comedy, and Cabaret & Drag. Situated in one of the UK’s most diverse boroughs, where people of Pakistani heritage form the second largest ethnic group (2021 Census), Soho Theatre Walthamstow is central to Soho Theatre’s mission to support new voices, engage local communities, and make the arts more accessible. This Writers’ Lab is part of a bold new programme for early-career artists and reflects Soho Theatre’s ongoing commitment to championing South Asian voices and collaborating with artists of South Asian heritage from across the globe.
Ishy Din, Playwright and Writers’ Lab Facilitator, said: “What a great opportunity for those who have always wanted to write but weren’t sure where to start.”
Farzana Baduel, Soho Theatre Board Member said: “As a trustee of Soho Theatre, I’m delighted to support this new collaboration with the British Pakistan Foundation. The Writers’ Lab reflects our commitment to nurturing fresh talent and creating space for bold, innovative storytelling. By supporting emerging playwrights at the very start of their creative journeys, we hope to contribute to a more dynamic and representative theatre landscape.”
Asif Rangoonwala, BPF Trustee said: “British Pakistan Foundation x Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab is a groundbreaking initiative that will give British Pakistani youth the platform and mentorship they need to bring their stories and writing to life. By fostering new voices and championing diverse narratives, this programme not only supports emerging talent but also strengthens the cultural fabric of British theatre. We are proud to collaborate with Soho Theatre Walthamstow to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of British Pakistani playwrights and storytellers”.
New writing is at the heart of Soho Theatre. Supporting and promoting untold stories from new voices is key to creating the next generation of writers and ensuring our cultural landscape thrives. This Lab is designed to explore the broadest definition of playwriting by bringing together a diverse range of voices that share our ambition to create work that is innovative and pushes the boundaries of theatre.
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Notes to Editors
For interview, images and additional information, please get in touch with press@sohotheatre.com
- 16 places available, applications open 19 September – 19 October.
- Course runs weekly on Thursdays w/c 24 November – w/c 9 March at Soho Theatre Walthamstow (186 Hoe Street, London E17 4QH)
- Free Q&A session on 29th September 4.30pm on Zoom.
- Taster session w/c 29th September on Zoom, from £5
- Check out our webpage for more
ISHY DIN is a celebrated playwright and screenwriter known for his culturally rich storytelling across theatre, television, film, and radio. He is under commission to the Royal Shakespeare Company and Kiln Theatre, with notable works including, Champion for Live Theatre, he was a writer Silence a play on the partition of India, (Tara Theatre/Domar Warehouse), Approaching Empty (Tamasha/The Kiln/Live Theatre), which premiered in 2019 and toured nationally, and Wipers (Leicester Curve/Watford Palace/Belgrade Theatre), exploring South Asian soldiers in WWI, which toured in 2016. His breakthrough play Snookered (Tamasha/Oldham Coliseum/The Bush Theatre) toured in 2012, winning Best New Play at the Manchester Theatre Awards. Ishy was the 2012 Pearson Writer in Residence at Manchester Royal Exchange. Ishy is currently an Associate Playwright at the Royal Court. His television credits include Phoenix Park (CBBC), Atomic Bazaar (Pulse Films), Ackley Bridge (C4), and Shakespeare & Hathaway (BBC), while his live theatre piece Taxi Tales aired on BBC Two in 2018. Other works include Doughnuts for Channel 4’s Coming Up and Life’s Like That for the BBC. His short film Our Lad was featured at international festivals, and he is developing several feature projects, including Paak United with BFI support. His radio credits include John Barnes Saved My Life (BBC Radio 5 Live), Whose Baby (BBC Radio 4), and Parking and Pakorasfor local radio. Widely acclaimed for his authenticity and focus on underrepresented voices, Ishy Din continues to make a significant impact across multiple mediums.
SOHO THEATRE is London’s most vibrant producer for new theatre, comedy and cabaret. Our central London venue in Soho is celebrating 25 years as one of the UK’s busiest with a buzzing bar, lively audiences and an entertaining year-round festival programme with a queer, punk, counter-culture flavour. Our second London venue SOHO THEATRE WALTHAMSTOW opened in May 2025, bringing our vibrant programme to its biggest stage yet. Work extends beyond our venues with a full touring programme and strong international connections. Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a huge part of our year, we present many shows and scout hundreds more and we are the UK’s leading presenter of comedians from India. Our filmed comedy specials can be seen on international airlines and online. And our artist development and participation programmes are as important as the work on our stages. Led by our Creative Engagement and Programming teams and industry practitioners, each year we support 350+ artists through our SOHO THEATRE LABS programme (Writers’, Makers, Comedy, Cabaret & Drag, Edinburgh Fringe and Alumni Labs) alongside our Soho Rising Festival and new writing awards (Verity Bargate Award, Tony Craze Award). Soho Theatre is a charitably-owned social enterprise. sohotheatre.com / @sohotheatre.