A Cumbrian writer and theatre group have been awarded one of only six grants to invest in a pipeline of ambitious and risk-taking new theatre.
The London’s Royal Court scheme was launched to help celebrate its 70th anniversary.
The Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme saw 136 applications and Maryport-based Christine Entwhistle and Kirkby Stephen’s Shared Experience were named among the final six to win the grants.
Rooted in her native West Cumbria, Christine’s stories often give voice to older women who are navigating the chaos of their lives — finding comedy in despair and solace in the fells.
Shared Experience’s recent productions include Revolver by Emily Woof which played at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival, and London’s Soho Theatre, Blizzard which played at 59E59 Theater in New York, Sleeping Beauty which toured to venues across Cumbria and As You Like It at Theatre by the Lake.
Conrad Lynch, director of Shared Experience, said: “Christine and I are thrilled to be making work together again for audiences in Cumbria and beyond.
“We are so very grateful to the Royal Court and Jerwood Foundation for giving us this opportunity – what a great way for Shared Experience to start it’s 50th anniversary year!’
Christine won the BBC Writers Award and Funny Women Award for Do You Wish to Continue, and later the BBC Audio Drama Award for Secret Kebabs.
She has been shortlisted for both the Writers’ Guild Awards and this year’s BBC Audio Awards, with recent credits including All the Names You Ever Called Me, Talking to Chickens and Christmas Past for BBC Radio 4.
She has also written and directed several award‐winning short films screened at festivals in the UK and abroad.
Christine returned to theatre last year with her one‐woman show Breakages, which tours this autumn.
