Writing The Thing

Her Bruntwood Prize-shortlisted play (the) Woman picked up huge acclaim on a UK tour and at London’s Park Theatre, where Paloma Faith called it the “best play I’ve seen in years”. Now, just months later, her totally gorgeous piece Scenes From A Friendship has earned similar plaudits at the Nottingham Playhouse. Jane Upton talks about honesty in playwriting, the massive benefits of an ace dramaturg... and sitting next to a vomiting audience member at the Royal Court. Plus, a voicenote cameo from our mutual friend, the awesome actor Jamie-Rose Monk.
Host: Shaun Kitchener
Music: William Kitchener

He's written big plays for big names in big theatres, and now Ben Weatherill has entered the world of cosy crime on the BBC's massive hit, Death In Paradise. Here, he talks about his experience in the world of continuing drama, what it was like to come aboard Motorhome Marilyn for Michelle Collins after the death of its initial writer Stewart Permutt, and how he came to write for none other than Sir Ian McKellen.
Host: Shaun Kitchener
Music: William Kitchener

Any show that puts Brenda Blethyn in a fabulous wig and has her talk about "reVenNnNnGE!" was always going to be a winner. A Woman of Substance has had enormous success on Channel 4 this year, and here its co-creator and co-lead-writer Roanne Bardsley discusses the process of adapting Barbara Taylor Bradford's epic novel, the joys of gloriously escapist telly, and her invaluable beginnings in soapland.
Host: Shaun Kitchener
Music: William Kitchener 

As the Olivier Award-winning The P Word returns to London's Bush Theatre, playwright Waleed Akhtar opens up on how he got into writing after starting out as an actor (via some wild advice from a former agent), how this particular banger of a play was put together, and what it was like to win at the UK's biggest theatre awards.
Host: Shaun Kitchener
Music: William Kitchener

How did they write that thing?! Find out in this new podcast talking to a whole load of banging writers about how they worked their magic. Coming June 2026.