Alex Oates

Alex Oates is a Geordie playwright and screenwriter living in Northumberland. His first play FAN FICTION was workshopped with Russell Tovey, Iwan Rheon, and Rebekah Ryan. Alex’s triple offie-nominated play SILK ROAD was a critical success at Edinburgh Fringe and Vault Festival before transferring for a four-week run in London’s West End at Trafalgar Studios. He’s had his work performed with Silent Uproar at Hull Truck, New Diorama, Live Theatre Newcastle, Bolton Octagon, and Southwark Playhouse.

Alex was nominated for Most Promising Playwright at The Off West End Awards for his play ALL IN A ROW, which won acclaim in its European premier at Teatro Tarantana, Barcelona in 2024. His most recent play THE FILLETING APP was selected out of over 2000 plays by the RSC to be part of a new folio of plays representing Britain today. He recently won the prestigious Peter Shaffer Award from National Theatre and Northern Stage.

Alex's first TV credit was on TV/online drama E20 for the BBC where he wrote the pilot episode, and episodes on subsequent series. His radio play for BBC Radio 4, OUR LIAM OF LOURDES, was pick of the week when it aired. His recent short film MORTAL won the inaugural Northern Film Prize in 2023 and his second short film GIANTS is in post-production. Alex is a writer on attachment at London’s National Theatre.

Alex grew up in the North East and was involved in youth theatre projects at the Phoenix in Blyth. Since moving to Cambois in 2019, Alex has dedicated much of his focus to pursuing causes that can address the social and political problems faced by those living in this deprived area and has co-founded and co-runs The Tute – a charity and arts space in Northumberland dedicated to building empathy through art in deprived areas.