Playwrights

Mr. Burns – a post-electric play, Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark comedy featuring music by Michael Friedman, premiered off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons on September 15, 2013. Ten years after the play’s auspicious opening, we caught up with the playwright to discuss The Simpsons, humor, fear, community and the power of storytelling.

Geek!, Crystal Skillman’s hilarious and fast-paced comedy-drama about the dynamic world of cosplay, premiered in New York City in 2013. To celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, we caught up with the playwright to discuss the play’s inspiration, themes and enduring appeal.

Mother-daughter author team Rosary O’Neill and Rory O’Neill Schmitt discuss their new book, Edgar Degas in New Orleans.

Dan Goggin, the affable, hilarious, brilliant man behind the Nunsense musicals, turned 80 this year. We sat down with the composer/lyricist/librettist to discuss his career in the theatre and the secret of success for his little musical that became a global phenomenon.

We caught up with playwright Shomit Dutta to discuss his first play, Stumped, an insight into a game of cricket with playwrights Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter.

Playwright Sarah Ruhl warmly recounts her relationship with her mentor and friend Tina Howe, author of Coastal Disturbances, Painting Churches and the newly published Where Women Go.

Deborah Moggach, the author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, talks with us about the stage adaptation of the Sunday Times bestselling book and beloved film starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighty.

Join our sleepover with author Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini to discuss her new play Sleepova; a frank, funny coming-of-age ode to black women. Get comfy and read Matilda’s thoughts on the play, its characters and her advice for young queer Black women.

Discover expressionism, naturalistic and epic theatre through these five plays written by German playwright and theatre practitioner Bertolt Brecht. Find out how he influenced the next generations of writers, actors and audiences.

The Bard’s classic and timeless characters have been reimagined by author Andrew Shepherd in his epic, romantic, tragic, sci-fi comedy, The Shakespeare Conspiracy. In this conversation, Shepherd shares his love of Shakespeare and explains the creative process behind his ‘real’ and ‘theatre’ worlds.

We interviewed playwright Charlie Josephine for their latest works – the critically acclaimed I, Joan and Monologues for ‘Others’. Find out more their inspirations and creative process behind these titles.

Clown Bar 2 is a hilariously wackadoo sequel to the enormously popular Clown Bar. Playwright Adam Szymkowicz, author of Kodachrome and Marion, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, recounts the tale of the show’s birth.

Siân Owen’s one-woman play follows Katie’s adventure around Newport with a stolen BMX. We spoke to Owen about her monologue, her inspirations and her relationship to Newport.

It’s been five years since the off-Broadway premiere of Puffs! To celebrate, we had a chat with playwright Matt Cox about how the show was written and staged for the first time, and the enduring impact it’s had on audiences worldwide.

Sex Cells, a funny and poignant play set in the busy call centre for a sex toy manufacturer, has delighted audiences worldwide since its London debut in 2013. Playwright Anna Longaretti discusses the play, its themes and its continued relevance.

David Tristram is one of the UK’s most popular playwrights – his comedies have been performed more than 10,000 times by professional and amateur companies worldwide. We caught up with the man behind the mask to learn more.

Playwright Rob Urbinati, author of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan, Murder on West Moon Street and Death by Design, discusses these three “adaptation” plays, the enduring appeal of great works, and his approach to comedy.

Playwright Archie Maddocks, author of the bittersweet comedy A Place For We, discusses the play, his artistic influences, and his dual roles as playwright and stand-up comedian.

An interview with the playwright Margaret Perry, whose play Porcelain premiered at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2018.

Pravin Wilkins discusses his play Moreno, which won the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award.

Agnes of God, John Pielmeier’s taut, compelling three-character drama about a young nun accused of murdering her newborn, premiered on Broadway in 1982. Forty years later, the writer answers our questions about the play, faith and mystery.

An interview with the playwright Una McKevitt, whose comic play One Good Turn premiered at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in 2021.

In an essay first published in 1966, bookwriter Isobel Lennart hilariously reflects on the arduous creative process that led to the worldwide success of Funny Girl.

Jack Heifner’s Vanities, a bittersweet comedy astutely chronicling the lives of three Texas girls, remains provocative, stimulating and hilarious nearly half a century after its creation. We spoke to the playwright about the show’s development and legacy.

Explore the dizzying work of one of the most innovative and subjective American playwrights to come out of the 1960s.

To celebrate the extraordinary work that that has been championed by the Alfred Fagon Award over the years, we caught up with some of our authors to hear about what being affiliated with the Award means to them and why it matters in the industry today.

Lisa Carroll discusses how she approached exploring themes of teenage identity and cruelty in her play Cuckoo.

Playwright and author Esther Freud discusses the creative inspiration behind her play Stitchers, which follows the story of Lady Anne Tree as she introduces needlecraft classes to prisoners.

Garden District, a short film based on Rosary O’Neill’s full-length play Solitaire, is earning awards and nominations at prestigious film festivals around the world. The playwright and her daughter, Rory Schmitt, discuss the development and success of the play and film.

Despite her early death at age 34, Lorraine Hansberry broke new ground with dynamic, challenging plays that took Broadway by storm. Explore the work of this trailblazing playwright and activist.

Playwright Allan Miller reflects on the process of converting D.H. Lawrence’s deeply interior novella The Fox into a dynamic and thrilling stage play.

One of Britain’s greatest playwrights, Terence Rattigan created a wealth of comedies and dramas that triumphed in the UK and US. Explore these five selected plays demonstrating the breadth of his talent.