Nottingham Playhouse has announced the exciting line-up for AMPLIFY SEASONS: SUMMER 26, with brand new work from Midlands artists being featured.
With one new work-in-progress shows, two extracts of shows going to the Edinburgh Festival, and a ‘visceral and explosive’ headline show, AMPLIFY SEASONS: SUMMER 26 offers an evening of bold new work, fresh perspectives and original voices, celebrating new talent from across the region. AMPLIFY SEASONS: SUMMER 26 takes place on Friday 24 July in the Neville Studio at Nottingham Playhouse.
The triple-bill of work-in-progress is titled We Could Be Heroes, and includes:
A Foot is Not an Appropriate Prize For The Tombola by Dan McVey
After a severed foot is found in one of the tombola prizes, Lydia is determined not to let it ruin the village fete. But as the revelations get more bizarre, and Lydia attempts to work out ‘whodunnit’, it appears there might be a more horrific truth to the village than anyone realised.
A camp and comedic interactive murder mystery inspired by the worlds of cosy crime and cosmic horror, performed by vibrant storyteller Dan McVey. Prepare to be intrigued, entertained and leave questioning the wild world we live in.
Brick by Noah Xavier, Left for Dead Theatre Company:
James is stuck. Literally.
Adrenalised and alone with an unconscious cellmate in a police holding cell after throwing a brick during a queer rights protest, he unpacks the experiences that brought him here. Pulled into protest culture through a crush on an artist‑activist, personal grief and political fury collide with dark humour and raw confession in this urgent and powerful new play examining how systemic neglect pushes vulnerable people toward dangerous obsessions and extreme acts.
Brick is supported in development by BoonDog Theatre and The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
Noah Xavier, writer of Brick, commented:
“Amplify is a really wonderful programme that helps to platform new and emerging artists. I’ve seen so many brilliant new shows, had incredible opportunities and made amazing connections, including BoonDog Theatre, the company that is mentoring and producing Brick!
“To be able to bring this production back to my home theatre and show what we’ve been working on, before we head up to Edinburgh, is so unbelievably exciting, we can’t wait!”
every God has its day by Grace Carter
When failed hostage negotiator Kris Smoth accidentally saves a life during a bungled call, she’s catapulted into global stardom overnight. But as fame, followers, and media frenzy close in, can Kris keep the real story buried in our hyper-connected world?
Ngl it’s literally a nightmare. And a total vibe.
every God has its day examines how easily we create heroes – just to turn them into villains.
Made You Look by Ty’rone Haughton
The headline show of AMPLIFY SEASONS: SUMMER 26 is Made You Look, a visceral and explosive one-man poetry show that explores masculinity, identity and the experience of being an immigrant in modern Britain.
Writer and performer Ty’rone Haughton delivers a fiercely honest and lyrically rich piece that dives deep into masculinity, identity, vulnerability, and survival. The show fuses poetry, physical theatre,
visual art, and sound to create a deeply emotional, at times unbearable, but profoundly necessary experience. This performance will be captioned.
Ty’rone’s presence is both commanding and tender — the audience is captivated, challenged, and ultimately changed as Ty’rone flawlessly holds the audience in the palm of his hand, ensuring a safe if
turbulent voyage.
Ty’rone Haughton, writer and performer of Made You Look, said:
“Made You Look was created by a small team of artists from the Midlands last year and has been on tour across the nation since then. It’s amazing to get the opportunity to bring Made You Look to Nottingham and give people closer to home the chance to experience the show and engage with the work we’re creating.
“I grew up in Nottingham and I’m really excited that I get to bring the show to the people and places I call home.”
There are four AMPLIFY: SEASONS events per year which give artists the chance to connect with, and receive feedback from, audiences and industry on their work at various stages of development.
Beccy D’Souza, Artist Development Producer, said:
“The SUMMER 26 programme for AMPLIFY SEASONS is a real blinder – with extracts from two shows headed up to Edinburgh, by Noah Xavier and Dan McVey, and a brand new piece of writing from the brilliant Grace Carter. These are all artists with real flair and are certainly ones to watch. Of course, we’re thrilled to be able to bring Ty’rone Haughton’s Made You Look to a Nottingham audience, with a strong Midlands team behind it.
“It’s going to be a varied night, packed with comedy, punch and poignancy, and a chance for artists and audiences to connect with some of the incredible talent the Midlands has to offer. I hope that artists will find future collaborators, and I’m certain they will be building their audiences for future shows – these artists have so much to offer and I can’t wait for people to find out about them!”
Amplify Seasons is supported by The Fenton Arts Trust and the Noel Coward Foundation.
Tickets are now on sale for AMPLIFY SEASONS: SUMMER 26.
Posted on 16 July 2026
