Grab a deckchair and a pen! We’re calling for original ten-minute plays for our 'Views from a Deckchair' event. Of course, the deckchair is not just somewhere to sit, it’s where secrets spill, worlds are watched, arguments erupt, or lives quietly change.
The deckchair must be an integral part of the story - not just a prop, but a place where action, reflection, conflict, or revelation occurs. What is seen, thrashed out, overheard, or imagined from the chair?
The deckchair could be anywhere - on a sunny beach, a back garden, a balcony, a cruise ship, a holiday camp, a picnic site, a city rooftop - or somewhere entirely surprising. In fact, anywhere a deckchair doesn’t quite belong is especially encouraged.
Plays with comedy, drama, whimsy, tension and the wonderfully unexpected are all welcome.
Surprise us with what unfolds once the play (and the chair) opens!
Here are some important guidelines to bear in mind:
- We will actually have 2 Deckchairs available! Other stage furniture will be kept to a minimum (6 black cubes - 2ft square - will fill in for all other elements - bench, seat, wall, etc.).
- Plays should be no more than 10 minutes in duration. Other than that, we are open to plays of all genres.
- As per previous years, all submissions will be read by our panel of readers, a shortlist compiled, and 10 of those plays selected by our directors. Those 10 plays will then be staged during our performance week which will take place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May, 2026.
- The 10 minute maximum duration is important, so, if you’re unsure of how long your play runs, the easiest way to gauge it is to do a live reading. This is always a useful exercise as it can also bring to light any issues with dialogue or plot. A rough guide is 7 or 8 pages of double-spaced dialogue.
Plays must be submitted by Monday 2nd March 2026 and should be sent as a Word document or PDF to: theatre@corkartstheatre.com with the subject line Views from a Deckchair Submission 2026. Please do not submit plays to any other Cork Arts Theatre email address.
Note: We can only accept one play from each author.
Please note too that 'Views from a Deckchair' is a fund-raising event for the Cork Arts Theatre and, as such, we are not in a position to pay royalties should your play be chosen for performance.
If you have any other questions please email: theatre@corkartstheatre.com
Further information about the Cork Arts Theatre can be viewed here.
We look forward to receiving your entries! | 
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