Greenwich Theatre has launched a gay writing initiative that will be led by writer and director Patrick Wilde.

The London venue is introducing a year-round programme of work on this subject, which will culminate in a festival of new gay-themed playwriting in the autumn.

The festival will be called The Band Plays On in reference to Mart Crowley’s 1968 landmark play The Boys in the Band, which explores gay lifestyles.

Greenwich Theatre is calling for submissions of new plays for the festival.

An industry judging panel led by Wilde, playwright Matt Ian Kelly of City Lights Theatre Company and Susan Winter, resident producer at Greenwich Theatre, will select five works to be showcased at the event in September.

Entries will be accepted until April 15.

Wilde said: “Having written and directed so much gay drama over the last two decades I have always been frustrated by the lack of a dedicated space to develop new work, putting the genre in some kind of historical and theatrical context. I am delighted to be working with Greenwich Theatre to finally establish this much needed artistic environment in London.”

Winter said: “We endeavour to create an environment where young gay writers can develop their work in context, and draw on the shared experience of working professionals. This exciting in-house initiative will promote and nurture the next generation of gay voices and build on Greenwich Theatre’s reputation as a destination for quality gay work.”

She added: “We’re also pleased to be in discussions with a range of industry partners including Oliver Jack, director in residence at Lost Theatre, about participating in the project to make it an industry-wide programme of work.”