Emerging playwrights have created hard-hitting contemporary material which promises to challenge and stimulate audiences in Stratford.

The five plays will be performed from Monday to Saturday at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in collaboration with Team Angelica, an organisation driving thought-provoking creative arts.

Team Angelica director Rikki Beadle-Blair selected the final programme after an open call that prompted a flurry of submissions.

Those shortlisted had the chance to tailor their plays over a series of workshops.

Rikki said: “We got about 70 plays and gave feedback; it was mainly coaxing writers to go further with their work. We are passionate about finding writers and the Theatre Royal has a very particular profile, as does our company. We were really interested in less heard voices that had something new to say.”

Subjects range from homosexuality in Nigeria, the cultural experience of Chinese-Jamaicans in their homeland and teenage love and disability.

Rikki said these voices from marginalised members of society not only revealed their experience to the audience but also highlighted the unifying elements of the human experience.

He said: “We attracted disabled voices as well as gay, bisexual, transsexual and ethnic minority voices that had pushed issues further. Something that we and Theatre Royal believe passionately is that universality comes from the specific.”

The plays are delivered with no sets and minimal costumes, which highlights the acting and dialogue.

Rikki said audience can expect dynamic drama.

He added: “Every single one of these five plays is a roller coaster of originality and exciting theatre. They are very much transport plays, I am hoping people will have immersive, intense experience.

“If I could describe the plays in one word, it is stimulation – of all of your senses, your mind and your heart.

Tickets cost £5 to £8. To book, call 020 8534 0310.