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Founded by James in 2022, the Gateway Writing Festival celebrates bold new writing and supports early-career artists in developing their work for the stage. This year’s event will feature nine brand new plays and engage around 70 emerging creatives, offering a vital platform for collaboration and creativity within Scotland’s theatre community. 

James developed the idea for the festival while studying at ������ý, where he credits the University’s supportive and collaborative environment for giving him the confidence and skills to bring the project to life. He also received funding through ������ý’s Vice-Chancellor’s Fund, the Santander Universities Enterprise Fund and the Emerging Creatives Fund -support that enabled him to establish and grow the festival and his theatre company beyond graduation. 

James said: “Without this generosity, the Gateway Writing Festival, a project I started at ������ý, or any of my companies' commissioned shows would not have had a chance to flourish.” 

The festival will run from 3–5 November 2025 at Capital Theatres’ Studio Theatre, offering audiences a chance to experience a dynamic programme of new writing and connect with the next generation of Scottish theatre talent.