Creative Double Acts Can Apply for £6,000 Theatre Opportunity in London
Hackney Showroom’s Nice Pair festival is offering four creative double acts £6,000 per pair to develop original performances for March 2027.
Creative partners with an idea for an original stage performance could receive £6,000 to help bring their work to a London theatre audience.
Hackney Showroom has launched Nice Pair, a new festival developed with the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre that will support four creative double acts as they develop and present original productions.
Applications opened on 27 October 2026 and will close at 5pm on Sunday 29 November, giving performers just over a month to put themselves forward.
Who can apply for Nice Pair?
The programme is aimed at creative double acts interested in developing original live performance, including artists whose work may not fit conventional theatre formats.
Applicants are expected to have some previous performance experience, but formal drama school training is not required.
That makes the opportunity relevant to performers working across comedy, cabaret, experimental theatre and other live performance disciplines, provided their proposed work meets the organisers’ eligibility criteria.
The festival is particularly interested in creative partnerships, rather than individual artists seeking support for solo productions.
What will successful applicants receive?
Four double acts will be selected, with each partnership receiving £6,000 to support the development of its work.
The £6,000 is allocated to the pair as a whole, not separately to each performer. Applicants should consult the official guidance for the precise payment arrangements and any production expenses covered by the award.
Successful partnerships will also receive creative support and opportunities to develop their performances with Hackney Showroom.
Their work will then be presented as part of the Nice Pair festival at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, scheduled to run from 8 to 20 March 2027.
Each selected pair will receive a week’s performance run, providing an opportunity to present original work in a professional theatre setting.
Why is this useful for independent performers?
Developing new theatre can involve considerable expense before a production ever reaches an audience.
Performers may need to find rehearsal space, develop scripts, create costumes and technical material, and balance the work with other employment.
Financial support during development can make a substantial difference, particularly for artists who are not already working with an established production company.
Nice Pair combines funding with access to a recognised London theatre, giving selected performers a route towards presenting their work publicly.
How can performers apply?
Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 29 November 2026, ahead of the festival in March 2027.
Interested double acts should review the full eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting their proposals, particularly if they are based outside London or need additional practical support.
Further information is available through Hackney Showroom and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
