How To Write A Play with Mike Bartlett – Details, episodes & analysis

In the last episode of the series, we discuss commissions and how our writers can take the next step. 

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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  

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Episode 10: Reviews and characters 

This week we talk about reviews (should you read them?) and Mike discusses character. 

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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  

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In Episode One, we kick off the Old Fire Station's How to Write a Play course with Mike Bartlett. We discuss how to start a play, where they come from, and some exercises to use. We also talk about how playwrights and theatres can work together, and Mike answers your questions. 

Got a Question for Mike and Alex? Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk  

Show notes: 

1. Sarah Kane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Kane  
2. The Artist’s Way: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/The-Artists-Way-by-Julia-Cameron/9781788164290  
3. Royal Court Theatre: https://royalcourttheatre.com/ 
4. Hampstead Theatre: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/ 
5. Headlong Theatre: https://www.headlong.co.uk/ 
6. The Stage - “Theatres told to stop ‘ghosting’ playwrights”: https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/theatres-told-to-stop-ghosting-playwrights 
7. Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/  
8. Transcript available here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/  

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On this brand-new podcast presented by The Old Fire Station, Oxford we'll be talking to triple Olivier Award-winner Mike Bartlett about how to write a play. This podcast series runs alongside the eleven-week course of the same held in-person, held at the Old Fire Station, Oxford.

You can find show notes and transcripts here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/our-work/how-to-write-a-play/

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Episode 9: Character, plus BONUS interview with Paines Plough's Katie Posner

This 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/

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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/  

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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. 

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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  

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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/ 

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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/ 

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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.uk

Show Notes:

Theatre Spaces: https://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/discover-theatres/theatre-faqs/170-what-are-the-types-of-theatre-stages-and-auditoria

Open/ Closed time and space in scriptwriting - from Playwriting: Structure, Character, How and What to Write by Stephen Jeffreys https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playwriting

Oxford 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/

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