Founder

Paddy Hughes is a playwright and dramaturg based in Liverpool. He is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and has an MA in scriptwriting at University of East Anglia under the tutelage of Steve Waters and Timberlake Wertenbaker.

He has previously worked in the National Theatre's New Work Department and at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and is currently an Associate at Box of Tricks Theatre.

He has had play readings presented at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, HOME Theatre, Manchester, and Wildcard Theatre, has been longlisted for the Bruntwood twice, and his most recent play LEAVE THE MORNING TO THE MORNING won the 2022 Bruntwood Prize for the inaugural North West Original New Voice Award and Residency.

Paddy was Writer in Residence at Royal Exchange Theatre in 2023/24.

In screen, Paddy’s first short film (co-written and co-directed with John Gillespie) was produced by BBC Radio 5 Live and won the ‘Well Done U’ Award.

Paddy has been a script reader for The Everyman Theatre, Royal Exchange Theatre, National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Finborough Theatre, Box of Tricks, 503 Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Synergy and many more. He has read for competitions such as Verity Bargate, 503 International Award, Screen/Play, Bruntwood Prize and Polka Playwriting Award.

Paddy has worked as a visiting lecturer, delivering scriptwriting sessions to students at Liverpool John Moore’s University and Edge Hill University.

WHAT I LOVE TO READ:

I love stories that give a voice to those we don’t normally hear from. I want to be emotionally invested in the world you create. I want to cry like a baby and laugh like a drain. If you are a passionate storyteller with something to say about the world I will LOVE your work. I believe that storytelling is a gateway to empathy and empathy a fast-track to kindness. We need more kindness in the world. We need more new work. We need you.