Meg Gillard here, coming to you from CPT headquarters, to tell you a bit about me and my top picks for CPT’s upcoming SPRINT.
I am currently on work placement, learning all things producing alongside Artistic Director Rio Matchett, and the rest of the team. I’m here as part of my degree (BA Theatre & Social Change at Rose Bruford College), but also to gain more insight into fringe theatre and how we make it all happen. The importance of an excel spreadsheet has become increasingly clear to me, for sure, but it’s not all numbers, emails and to do lists. There is art to producing and programming, it is just as creative as the shows we make. It’s an honour to witness how hard the teamwork to make the dreams of emerging talent come true, and the line-up for the SPRINT festival is a testament to what I’ve learned so far.
This year, there are over 34 different performances that all take place in the CPT building, ranging from physical comedy to storytelling, immersive audio to clown, autobiographical work to visceral Sci-Fi - whether you’re looking for your usual bag or something a little different, SPRINT has got you covered.
I’m looking to scrub up on my Queer Solo-performance work in 2026 and, sticking within the ethos of my degree, work that is socially and politically engaged. SO, here are my top picks from the SPRINT 2026 line-up:
Living Museum of HIV Collective presents El Gran Varón (WIP), a politically urgent performance blending testimonies, humour, and archives to confront HIV stigma, colonial legacies, and institutional violence among Latin American migrants in Europe.
Verity Sharpe presents Landlord's Wet Dream, an anarchic punk gig meets protest meets stand-up hour. Landlord's Wet Dream is a hilarious deep dive into the absurdities of the UK housing crisis.
Celeste Cahn presents Drag me to Communion (WIP), a drag-cabaret exploration of religion, Communion, interfaith marriage, divorce and the Bible.
Amina Aaliya Beg presents My Mum Told Me Not To Marry An Atheist (WIP), My Mum Told Me Not To Marry An Atheist is a play / DJ set exploring DADI and her granddaughter KAMAL’s relationship about love, marriage & being intergenerational trouble-makers.
