A four-night retreat for women writers of musical theatre at a beautiful rural location in Kent.
The Mercury Writers Barn has taken place in 2023, 2024 & 2025 at The Quadrangle in Shoreham, Kent, held in association with Find Your Light Retreat.
The next Writers Barn will be held between 6-10 July, 2026.
Applications for the 2026 Writers Barn are now open. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 8th April 2026 at midday.
Find Out More
What does it entail?
- Structured learning from inspiring professionals
- Time to reflect on your career and craft
- Time spent in a beautiful rural environment
- Communal home-cooked meals
- Forming connections with other women writers and building a valuable network
Activities
- Facilitated sessions to explore musical theatre craft, career development, confidence and motivation (sessions will be finalised according to participants’ interests)
- Optional activities to unwind and inspire creativity, e.g. country walks, yoga, crafts, river swimming, board games, campfires, skill sharing.
- Free time to reflect, write, socialise or relax
Where will I stay?
Accommodation is shared, in either dormitories (maximum eight people per room) or twin rooms (2 people per room). Preferences may be given on the application form but are not guaranteed. All bathrooms are shared. Bed linen is provided.
How do I get there?
If taking public transport, trains run to nearby Shoreham (Kent) and we can arrange lifts from the station. The journey is 50-60 minutes from London stations. For those driving, there is parking available at the Quadrangle but in the interests of being green we’d encourage car sharing or public transport where possible. Participants should arrange and pay for their own travel to Shoreham.
Who is eligible and what is the selection criteria?
Any women writers of musical theatre aged 21+ are welcome to apply. Writers can have any level of professional experience. Selection will be made based on the following criteria:
- Potential for professional and personal benefit
- Community-mindedness and ability to make a positive contribution to the group dynamic
- Ensuring a spread of ages and experiences across the group
How much does it cost?
Places at the Writers Barn cost £275 for MMD members and £385 for non-members. This includes accommodation, all activities and all meals from Monday dinner to Friday breakfast. A number of student places costing £175 for MMD members and £245 for student non-members are available – please indicate which rate you would like to apply for on the application form.
With an actual cost per person of £550, all places are heavily subsidised by MMD and the Jane Goodman Charitable Trust.
Mercury Writers Barn might be for you if:
- You are interested in getting to know and learning from other female-identifying writers of musical theatre
- You want to take some time out from daily life to reflect upon your career and practice
- You are willing to join in with communal living, happy to ‘muck in’ where needed and contribute fully to the group.
- You are considerate of others’ differing needs, viewpoints and opinions
It might not be for you if:
- You want a lot of time and space to yourself to get a good deal of writing done
- You are not comfortable with sharing accommodation and bathrooms
- You require level/lift access – unfortunately The Quadrangle is not a wheelchair accessible venue
