The stage is set for a feast of new writing when the four winning entries of a competition are performed at the Maltings Arts Theatre in St Albans next Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25.

The competition is part of the theatre’s strategy to support associate companies and a core fringe drama season.

It was the brainchild of Irresponsible Decorators, founded by Stanley Walton in association with Amber Townsend and Rosie Bauer.

As a company they are keen on creating work which is strongly driven by narrative and draws audiences into a world which may provoke thought on contemporary issues.

The trio met at Theatrix Performing Arts at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans, where they took part in several productions throughout their youth.

Stanley commented: “All three of us feel new writing is important because it offers a platform for unheard talent and can often raise debate about pressing contemporary issues. Having grown up in St Albans we feel we never got a chance to see much original fringe theatre and so set out to produce an evening of it.”

He added: “In October we sent out a call for new short plays, 20 minutes in length, in response to the theme Crossing the Line. We received over 100 entries which we narrowed down to four, The Spinning House by Rogerio Correa, Dear Mr Putin by Robert Pegg, Eulogy by Jack Stanley and Milk by Judy Upton.

“Rather than have a separate cast for each short play we have three strong actors who wonderfully play several characters of age and background across all four of the stories.”

Admission to the New Writing Nights is £7.50 with £5 concessions for students. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo

Irresponsible Decorators are also running an innovative crowd-funding campaign so that they can pay the actors expenses, a set and costume designer and for promotional print. Anyone wishing to contribute should visithttp://wefund.com/project/new-writing-night/p59130/

The four plays, complete with specially composed music, will be performed at 7.30pm.