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
Nick Hern Books
Discover the Most-Performed Plays of 2019
What a fantastic year 2019 was for NHB! We were shortlisted for an award at the IPG Independent Publishing Awards; celebrated awards success for loads of our authors including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antony Sher, Frances Poet and Lynn Nottage; launched our new series Multiplay Drama (which is up for a prize at the Music and Drama … Continue reading Discover the Most-Performed Plays of 2019
Nick Hern Books at 30
This year, Nick Hern Books celebrated thirty years of theatre publishing. As the year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the things that have made it a year to remember... We published 100 new plays over the year, two-thirds of them by female writers. They included the exhilarating debut play … Continue reading Nick Hern Books at 30
Nick Hern and Matt Applewhite (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
Rounding off our Anniversary Interviews series, theatre journalist Al Senter talks to Publisher Nick Hern and Managing Director Matt Applewhite about thirty years of Nick Hern Books, and what lies ahead for the company... In the thirty years since it came into being, Nick Hern Books has grown into a considerable force, not just in … Continue reading Nick Hern and Matt Applewhite (The Nick Hern Books Anniversary Interviews)
‘Theatre in its purest form’: Cheryl Henson on the power of puppetry in an increasingly digital world
Puppetry is an artform with ancient roots, but contemporary applications - and the international success of shows like National Theatre hit War Horse proves that it has lost none of its magic. Here, Cheryl Henson, President of the Jim Henson Foundation, reflects on how that ‘magic’ happens, and pays tribute to director and puppeteer Mervyn … Continue reading ‘Theatre in its purest form’: Cheryl Henson on the power of puppetry in an increasingly digital world
Understanding the Mad King: Antony Sher on rehearsing King Lear
Leading actor Antony Sher's new book Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries provides an intimate, first-hand account of his process researching, rehearsing and performing arguably Shakespeare's most challenging role, Lear, in the acclaimed 2016 Royal Shakespeare Company production. This extract, written during rehearsals only a few weeks before the production opened, takes us behind … Continue reading Understanding the Mad King: Antony Sher on rehearsing King Lear
‘A writer of protean gifts’: Lucy Kirkwood on Caryl Churchill
This year's recipient of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing is the playwright Caryl Churchill – one of the leading figures in contemporary world theatre, and an NHB author for over thirty years – 'in honour of her illustrious body of work and a career which has spanned over … Continue reading ‘A writer of protean gifts’: Lucy Kirkwood on Caryl Churchill
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Everything That Went Into Writing My New Book (But Were Too Polite to Ask, Dear)
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the West End... The masked man of Theatreland has returned. West End Producer's new book is the ultimate guide to theatregoing, full of the hilarious advice and insight he's become known for. Here, WEP reveals the blood, sweat and Dom Pérignon that went into writing … Continue reading Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Everything That Went Into Writing My New Book (But Were Too Polite to Ask, Dear)
Facing the Fear: Bella Merlin on overcoming stage fright
Stage fright afflicts many actors, and has the power to drive you away from the stage for months, years, or even a lifetime. In her new book, Facing the Fear: An Actor's Guide to Overcoming Stage Fright, performer, author and teacher Bella Merlin shows you how to meet the challenge – or simply how to … Continue reading Facing the Fear: Bella Merlin on overcoming stage fright
Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting: the first ten years
The Bruntwood Prize is the biggest national competition for playwriting. With prize money totalling £40,000, plus the chance of a production on a major stage, as well as publication by Nick Hern Books, it's a fabulous opportunity for writers. Since its inception in 2005, over 11,000 scripts have been entered, more than £200,000 has been … Continue reading Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting: the first ten years
The Prompt Book 