Encouraging Emerging Artists

DunsPlayFest is without a doubt my favourite week of the year. For nine days at the start of every May, the Volunteer Hall in Duns, Berwickshire, is transformed via the power of bunting into a magical wonderland, a theatrical paradise where anything can and will happen. Nothing gives me more thrill than seeing this space abuzz with activity, excited audience members mingling with artistic types of all ages and stages in their careers.

And that’s just it. Since the age of eight I’ve been involved in local theatre and if you told wee eight-year-old Jamie that in just seven years’ time he’d have the chance to direct, produce and perform in a play he’d written himself he would never believe you. But by offering such fantastic opportunities to young emerging artists like myself, DunsPlayFest turns dreams into reality. Living in a rural area like Berwickshire can make it very difficult for young people pursuing a career in the performing arts but DunsPlayFest is committed to giving us the chance to gain experience without needing to travel to Edinburgh.

Jamie Mein and Ramsay Jones performing in The Red Lion written by Jamie

Looking back at DunsPlayFest 2025, we had a team of six interns plus two junior interns, working in stage management, sound, lighting, and media and promotion, without all of whom the festival simply could never have happened. Our programme included nine productions from Edinburgh graduate companies, all of excellent quality and among the highlights of the festival. We also had four contributions from Borders Youth Theatre, a showcase of local dance school LJ Dance Academy, performances by musical talent from Berwickshire High School, and four Duns Players productions featuring young cast members, including two by young writers. We also delivered a creative engagement programme consisting of ten workshops covering topics from songwriting to Shakespeare and ran two family days, making sure that theatre reaches the very youngest audiences.

LJ Dance sharing their talents

Another highlight of our festival programme is our collaborative project with Duns Primary School. Led by Karen Anderson of Borders Youth Theatre fame and singer-songwriter extraordinaire Katie Forbes, this gives Primary 6 pupils the chance to take to the stage in a piece of their own devising. This year this took the form a musical murder mystery called Duns Diner and as well as giving kids a taste of the magic of performing, proved a hit with audiences and parents alike.

Primary School Pupils performing at Duns Diner

If all that’s not enough, our championing of emerging artists is exemplified in the annual presentation of the Hugo Prize, named in honour of the late Hugo Burge. This award of £1000 is given to a Berwickshire High School student embarking on a career in the performing arts as a show of encouragement. This year’s festival saw two previous winners, Amy Kenneally and Archie Beattie, returning to DunsPlayFest to perform in new pieces alongside their university chums. The latest recipient is young performer Jessica Power who’s now at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, aptly studying their new Arts with Community course. We hope she also comes back to share the fruits of her success with us.

Telling wee eight-year-old Jamie that in seven years a local theatre festival would give him the chance to have his play performed would shock him, but if you him that a year later he’d be on the Board of Trustees for that very same festival he’d probably pass out. I never take for granted how lucky I am to have these incredible opportunities on my doorstep and I’m sure that all the other emerging artists who’ve benefitted from the work done by DunsPlayFest share that gratitude.

Community is at the heart of everything DunsPlayFest does and we’re committed to supporting young people. A career in the performing arts is certainly not an easy path to take but thanks to the support, encouragement, and opportunities provided by our festival, that path becomes a bit easier.