The ripple effect of INK
where writers, performers and directors go on to do amazing things
At the heart of INK lies more than just a festival. It’s a springboard, a place where emerging voices are nurtured, seen, and given the chance to bloom. Over the years our alumni have gone on to remarkable successes and it fills us with pride. Here are five recent “ripple effects” that show what’s possible when talent meets opportunity.
Leo Simpe-Asante — from INK short play to Royal Court spotlight
When Leo Simpe-Asante brought Cock Ups to INK this year, audiences immediately felt that spark, the sense that here was a playwright with something fresh to say.
That spark has now become something much bigger. Leo’s latest work, Godot’s To-Do List, has won the inaugural 2025 Royal Court Young Playwrights’ Award and will open each performance of Krapp’s Last Tape, starring and directed by Gary Oldman at the Royal Court.
For any emerging playwright, the Royal Court is a dream. For Leo, it’s now a reality and INK was one of the early platforms that helped amplify his voice. This is exactly what the ripple effect looks like: a festival moment evolving into a national breakthrough.
Leo wrote Cock Ups for INK 2025.
Sarah Baxter — a writer whose truth-telling found its audience
Sarah Baxter’s work has always carried heart, grit and emotional honesty. This year, she became one of our 2025 Criterion Writers and soon after went on to win the Critics Award at Colchester Fringe for The Clacton Three.
The play is tough, tender and unflinchingly real, the sort of story that resonates because it refuses to look away. Winning at Colchester Fringe isn’t just an accolade. It’s affirmation. It’s momentum. It’s another ripple.
For Sarah, the journey is only just beginning. And for INK, it’s a joy to play a small part in helping writers like her step onto bigger stages.
Sarah was selected for the INK/Criterion New Writing Course
Emma Jo Pallett — from short play writer to Best New Play winner
Some careers take off slowly. Emma Jo Pallett’s seems to have ignited overnight.
One of our talented writers at this year’s INK Festival, Emma Jo has now won the 2025 UK Theatre Award for Best New Play with Flumps. It’s a phenomenal achievement, not just for the award itself, but for what it symbolises.
New writing matters. Regional theatre matters. Nurturing emerging talent matters. Emma Jo represents all of that. And we couldn’t be prouder to see her voice recognised at a national level.
Emma Jo wrote Litter Pickers for INK 2025.
Joe McArdle — a performer, playwright and all-round INK favourite
If you’ve been to INK over the years, you’ve probably seen Joe McArdle, whether acting in a new piece, performing in rehearsed readings or debuting one of his own plays. Joe’s journey is one of perseverance and creative curiosity.
This year, he was chosen for the Criterion/INK Writers’ Scheme and accepted into the Royal Court Writers’ Group, a rare and highly competitive opportunity, selected from open submissions.
It’s a huge step. It’s career-defining. And it’s proof that consistency, community and craft can take you places you never expected.
Joe is a brilliant reminder that the ripple effect isn’t always a single moment, sometimes it’s the accumulation of years of passion, practice and performance.
Joe wrote Dégringolade for INK 2025, performed in POD8 at the Larder Palladium and also hosted one of our comedy workshops.
Isabel Caetano da Rocha — a breakthrough that began with belief
Some achievements feel especially emotional. Isabel Caetano da Rocha completing her first full-length play is one of them.
Isabel came to INK as a writer with promise. Through support, mentoring and being put forward for opportunities like the Criterion course, she has discovered her voice and the confidence to grow it.
Her words say everything: “Thank YOU for putting me forward to the Criterion course last year. I think it may have changed my life to be honest.”
This is the heart of INK. This is the real ripple effect. A writer finding belief in their own work and taking the leap into becoming a playwright.
Isabel was selected for the INK/Criterion New Writing Course