PIERS TORDAY, writer of the acclaimed Last Wild series of children's novels, has adapted Dickens' A Christmas Carol for Wilton's Music Hall. Here, he explains why his version, Christmas Carol: A Fairy Tale, reimagines the familiar story, placing Ebenezer's sister Fan at the heart of the action... When Charles Dickens published his ‘little Christmas book’ … Continue reading A female Scrooge: author Piers Torday on adapting Dickens for today’s stage
‘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
Edinburgh Fringe Report 2019: Amateur companies lighting up the Fringe
As attention shifts from the drama at Westminster to the drama in Edinburgh, we hear from three intrepid amateur companies performing plays licensed by Nick Hern Books at this year's Festival Fringe. From macho corporate politics to brilliant youth theatre via the Ballet Russes, they demonstrate the resourcefulness and the eclecticism of the Fringe at … Continue reading Edinburgh Fringe Report 2019: Amateur companies lighting up the Fringe
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
Feeling confused about sex: The Wardrobe Ensemble on their play 1972: The Future of Sex
Bristol-based theatre collective The Wardrobe Ensemble have been winning plaudits and delighting audiences across the UK with their brand of theatrical ingenuity and irreverent humour. As their acclaimed show 1972: The Future of Sex is published alongside its revival at the Bristol Old Vic this month, ensemble member Tom Brennan explains how the show was … Continue reading Feeling confused about sex: The Wardrobe Ensemble on their play 1972: The Future of Sex
‘As a playwright, you must have something that you want to say’: Stephen Jeffreys on the craft of playwriting
In addition to his success as a highly respected writer and teacher, Stephen Jeffreys also spent many years working on a guide to the craft of playwriting, to share his wisdom and experience. That book, Playwriting, is out now, published posthumously following Stephen's sad and untimely death in September 2018. Here, in an extract from Playwriting, … Continue reading ‘As a playwright, you must have something that you want to say’: Stephen Jeffreys on the craft of playwriting
Big new plays for great big casts: the exciting new Multiplay Drama series
As Nick Hern Books launches its new Multiplay Drama series – a great range of plays with large casts that are perfect for older teenagers and young adults to perform – series editor John O’Donovan explains why it's a boon for any group looking for an ambitious play to perform with roles for all the … Continue reading Big new plays for great big casts: the exciting new Multiplay Drama series
‘A burning obsession with horror’: Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson on their play Ghost Stories
As Ghost Stories returns to terrify London audiences, and appears in print for the first time, its creators Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson explain how they came up with idea, and the inspirations they drew on. Ghost Stories is a dream come true. We met in 1981 at a Jewish summer camp called, appropriately enough, … Continue reading ‘A burning obsession with horror’: Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson on their play Ghost Stories
The Prompt Book 