Formed in a rehearsal room at the Bristol Old Vic in 2011, The Wardrobe Ensemble are, in their own words, 'a group of theatre artists working together to make new plays that dissect the twenty-first century experience'. In the near-decade since their founding, they've earned success and critical acclaim – performing around the UK, winning awards and … Continue reading ‘The show we needed to make’ – The Wardrobe Ensemble on The Last of the Pelican Daughters
Playwriting
Nicholas Wright on writing his plays
Today, 27 June 2020, marks the 80th birthday of playwright Nicholas Wright. Born in South Africa in 1940, over the course of his long and illustrious career he has established himself as one of the UK's most-respected dramatists. His plays have been staged at leading venues including at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal … Continue reading Nicholas Wright on writing his plays
‘A hero, a leader, a true warrior’ – a tribute to Larry Kramer
We're saddened to hear the news of writer and activist Larry Kramer, who sadly died on 27 May 2020 at the age of 84. Nick Hern Books is proud to publish his passionate, vital play The Normal Heart, set during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York in the 1980s. Here, we … Continue reading ‘A hero, a leader, a true warrior’ – a tribute to Larry Kramer
Putting autism on the stage: Jody O’Neill on her innovative and myth-busting new play
Inspired by her own experiences with autism, actor and writer JODY O'NEILL set out to write a play that would celebrate autistic identity whilst engaging autistic and non-autistic audiences alike. The resulting play, What I (Don’t) Know About Autism, has just finished a sell-out run at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, on the Peacock stage. Here, … Continue reading Putting autism on the stage: Jody O’Neill on her innovative and myth-busting new play
VAULT 2020: the best new work at London’s VAULT festival
VAULT Festival, London's biggest arts and entertainment festival, is now underway in Waterloo, where it runs until 22 March. With hundreds of events taking place throughout the eight weeks of the festival, including theatre, comedy, cabaret, immersive experiences, family shows, late-night parties, pop-up events and more, there's something for everyone. And to celebrate the publication … Continue reading VAULT 2020: the best new work at London’s VAULT festival
‘Starting sombre, ending wild’: John O’Donovan on a generation afflicted by austerity, in his new play Flights
JOHN O'DONOVAN is a London-based playwright from Co. Clare, Ireland. His new play Flights – which opens in Dublin this week after a short run in his home-town of Ennis, and transfers to the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, in February – looks at a generation that has been shaped by austerity. Here, he discusses the inspiration … Continue reading ‘Starting sombre, ending wild’: John O’Donovan on a generation afflicted by austerity, in his new play Flights
‘Generosity of the ferocious kind’: Simon Stephens on the late Stephen Jeffreys and his contribution to playwriting
STEPHEN JEFFREYS was an acclaimed playwright and a hugely respected mentor to an entire generation of playwrights who emerged through the Royal Court Theatre while he was Literary Associate there. Amongst them SIMON STEPHENS, who spoke at an event at the Royal Court last weekend to celebrate Stephen's life and work. Here, in a longer … Continue reading ‘Generosity of the ferocious kind’: Simon Stephens on the late Stephen Jeffreys and his contribution to playwriting
Steve Waters on putting Idi Amin on the stage
Playwright Steve Waters has adapted Giles Foden's acclaimed novel about Idi Amin, The Last King of Scotland, for the stage, now premiering at Sheffield Theatres. Here, he reflects on the process of adapting the novel, and reveals that it wasn't until he went to Uganda himself that he realised the true extent of Amin's legacy, … Continue reading Steve Waters on putting Idi Amin on the stage
In Memoriam Peter Nichols
Playwright Peter Nichols, whose plays include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, The National Health and Privates on Parade, died on 7 September at the age of 92. Here, in an extract from his published Diaries, he describes meeting Laurence Olivier in January 1969 to discuss the National Theatre's forthcoming production of his … Continue reading In Memoriam Peter Nichols
The ordinary made extraordinary: Robert Holman on writing plays
Robert Holman is the playwright most admired by other playwrights. Championed by writers such as Simon Stephens and David Eldridge, his plays – including Making Noise Quietly, Jonah and Otto and A Breakfast of Eels – combine close observation of the way people behave with a thrilling and often fiercely uncompromising mastery of dramatic form. … Continue reading The ordinary made extraordinary: Robert Holman on writing plays
The Prompt Book 