The Peckham Fringe Festival returns to London for its fourth edition, running from May 1 to June 6, 2025.
The annual event is known for celebrating diverse stories through bold stage productions that blend experimental theatre, spoken word, and contemporary drama.
Among this year’s featured works is “Dear Applicant,” a Nigerian stage play written by Ibi Kontein and produced by Sabi Arts. The production is led by Sheriff Adekunle and Patrick Popolampo.who also plays a leading role and will be staged on May 23 and 25.
“Dear Applicant” follows Jaja, a first-class graduate and ICAN-certified job seeker whose qualifications have earned him nothing but years of rejection. Through biting humour and unfiltered honesty, the play captures the frustration and desperation of navigating Nigeria’s broken job market. Interviews turn into unpaid labour, and applications lead nowhere. The system, it seems, is rigged.
Other African and diaspora productions in this year’s lineup include “Ifunanya” by Temisanren Uwawah, “Palace” by Lare Oyefusi, “Mothership” by Olamide Ajisafe, and “Boxes” by Shona Bukola Babayemi. Also showing are “Meet the Kids” by Desiri Okobia, “Smile, You Are on Camera” by Tolu Sarah Martins, “SHHH!: The Musical” by Pelumi Adedayo-Bamidele, “Do You Want Something to Cry For” by Jerome Scott and Mya Onwugbonu, and “Reparations” by Maryam Garad, among others.
Held at Theatre Peckham, the festival continues to offer a space for bold storytelling, new voices, and inclusive performance experiences.