mark forrest (he/him)
Playwright/Producer
I am a Scottish playwright, producer, and theatre-maker currently developing and independently producing SHIPS, a new play premiering at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. After several years living and working abroad in Bangkok, I returned to Scotland to pursue theatre full-time, making the decision to leave teaching and commit fully to bringing my work to the stage.
Since returning, I have built SHIPS from the ground up, securing funding, assembling a creative team, developing partnerships, managing casting, marketing, audience development, and producing the work independently. The production is directed by award-winning Edinburgh director Liam Rudden.
My writing is rooted in working-class experience and explores themes of identity, race, belonging, masculinity, trauma, resilience, and home. Growing up mixed-race in Edinburgh’s Banana Flats has deeply informed my creative voice and commitment to telling stories centred on communities and perspectives often underrepresented on stage.
As an artist, I am passionate about creating emotionally truthful, character-driven theatre that connects people through shared humanity. Looking beyond Edinburgh, I am keen to build international relationships, tour new work, and continue developing stories that resonate across cultures while remaining firmly grounded in lived experience.
