How To Write A Play

In the last episode of the series, we discuss commissions and how our writers can take the next step. - Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/ ‘I was living in a fool’s paradise’: Adrienne Kennedy on meeting the Beatles and losing control of her play – The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/jun/06/adrienne-kennedy-on-meeting-the-beatles-american-playwright-john-lennon  ‘Play’ by Samuel Beckett: https://youtu.be/s2QJ0FYE3pw  

Episode 10: Reviews and characters This week we talk about reviews (should you read them?) and Mike discusses character. - Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/ WhatsOnStage: Time Out retires one- and two-star review ratings: https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/time-out-retires-one-and-two-star-review-ratings_58852/ Hugh Laurie’s song “Mystery”: https://youtu.be/3sW-LcxijrM  

Episode 9: Character, plus BONUS interview with Paines Plough's Katie PosnerThis week we look at how to develop character in your work, and Mike interviews Katie Posner from new writing development company Pains Plough's work.Show notes: Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/ Tour the Writer Programme https://painesplough.com/get-involved/tour-the-writer/

Episode 8: Self-censorship in the arts, and editing. This week we look at how to edit your work, and discuss how people in the arts might censor themselves. Show notes: Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/ Lyn Gardner in The Stage: Bite your tongue: is self-censorship stifling the important conversations? https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/opinion/bite-your-tongue-is-self-censorship-stifling-the-important-conversations New York Times: The Battle of ‘Miss Saigon’: Yellowface, Art and Opportunity https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/theater/the-battle-of-miss-saigon-yellowface-art-and-opportunity.html  American Theatre: I Am Miss Saigon, And I Hate it. https://www.americantheatre.org/2017/04/13/i-am-miss-saigon-and-i-hate-it/  

Episode 7: Solo shows and using the theatre This week we discuss solo shows, and Mike takes us through three exercises to help you think about your play. - Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk The Stage: “I have a confession: I hate solo shows – except when I don’t.” - https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/i-have-a-confession-i-hate-solo-shows-except-when-i-dont-david-benedict-i-found-my-horn-re-member-me Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/ Alex’s top 5 recommended solo shows that you can buy: Salt by Selina Thompson: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780571352265?gC=5a105e8b Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Every-Brilliant-Thing-by-Duncan-Macmillan/9781350282087 Class by Scottee: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Class-by-Scottee/9781913630010 We Were Promised Honey! by Sam Ward: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/We-Were-Promised-Honey-by-Sam-Ward/9781350381353 Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Joseph-Morpurgo-Hammerhead-NextUp/dp/B07ZWZ4G1C  

Week 6: Saving the Arts and Starting Off, with Penelope Skinner This week we discuss arts funding, and how to start your play – with a guest appearance from playwright Penelope Skinner.  Show notes: Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk “The arts in Britain are teetering on the brink. Here is my plan to save them.” - Nicholas Hytner in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/17/arts-council-britain-plan-save-new-body “Divided opinion: why Nicholas Hytner is wrong about splitting arts funding.” - Lyn Gardner in The Stage: https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/divided-opinion-why-nicholas-hytner-is-wrong-about-splitting-arts-funding Penelope Skinner: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Skinner Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/   

Episode 5: Structure and Adaptation This week: how do you structure a play? And how do you adapt a play for film?  Show notes: Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Cynthia Erivo to star in movie adaptation of hit play Prima Facie: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/may/15/cynthia-erivo-prima-facie-movie  How to watch the film adaptation of King Charles III by Mike Bartlett: https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/20/how-to-watch-king-charles-iii-film-and-who-plays-the-monarch-17413357/  Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/   

This week: form and dialectic! What is form and structure? How can we play with it and what's out there? Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.ukShow Notes:Theatre Spaces: https://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/discover-theatres/theatre-faqs/170-what-are-the-types-of-theatre-stages-and-auditoriaOpen/ Closed time and space in scriptwriting - from Playwriting: Structure, Character, How and What to Write by Stephen Jeffreys https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playwritingOxford Playwriting https://www.oxfordplaywriting.co.uk/Oxfordshire Theatre Makers https://www.oxfordshiretheatremakers.com/Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/

This week: plot and dialectic. How do you tell your story? Plus – how can theatre interact with politics?  Show notes: Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Seriously... podcast episode What Kind Of Scotland? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fk5btn  Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/