Working with Writers

… writing stories about a black and white perspective is boring. It’s the grey that’s interesting.

Stephen Adly Guirgis

Since I started directing in 2007, I’ve had the great opportunity to work closely with a number of very talented writers. As well as directing the debut plays of Laura Stevens – Thin Toes – Steven Hevey – In My Name – and Louise Buchler – Remembering You like something I’d Forgotten – I worked closely with them on the development of their scripts towards production.

I’ve also had the good fortune to collaborate with other emerging writers, whether it’s to workshop a draft of a new play for an invited audience, or present a new piece of work as a rehearsed reading, or direct a script-in-hand performance for a writer’s showcase, I’ve been able to assist in the development of some outstanding new writing for theatre, television, and short film.

Below you’ll find a selection of the writers I’ve collaborated with as a director on the first stages of their new work.

Pessoa. My-self. I.

by Tim Stubbs Hughes

A man waits in a room of a long-dead writer, surrounded by their books and possessions that have been preserved for posterity.

Cast

Tim Stubbs Hughes.

Staged performance of a new play for one actor at Scratch at the Jack, Jack Studio Theatre, London, March 2020.

DUCKS

by Hannah Kennedy

Lucie and Jem were in love. But now Lucie is alone. Maybe with Ed’s help, she can figure out where she goes next.

Cast

Nicole Abraham | Duncan Hodgkinson | Isabel Oliver.

Staged performance of a new 10-minute play at IGNITE by SparkHaus Theatre, St Margaret’s House, London, November 2019.

Skybridge

by Andrew Bruce-Lockhart

The future. 58,000 feet up. Five workers start their shift on the time zone-spanning Skybridge.

Cast

Staged performance of the first 10-minutes of a new play at Scratch at the Jack, Jack Studio Theatre, London, April 2019.

Do you have a script you need help developing?

Get in touch to collaborate with Julia and 20 South Street

A Voice

by Anne Bertreau

Paris, 1971. Plucked from obscurity by music impresario François, Angèle rises to fame to become the biggest pop star of the 60s.
But are you truly an artist when you have given your voice to someone else?
And will a career-rocking scandal force her to break free?

A Voice was a recent opportunity for Julia to collaborate with French writer/performer Anne Bertreau to develop her solo show for performances at UK festivals throughout 2019 and you can read more by visiting the production page here

YO

by Beverly Andrews

It’s Melanie’s first day in her new job at new black fashion magazine YO. But with a receptionist who raps, an agony aunt who gives cooking tips, a self-styled Romeo handyman and the editor’s mother turning up with her famous jerk chicken, will she make it to day two?

Cast

Script-in-hand rehearsed reading of the first episode of a new TV sitcom at New Work Upstairs at The Nell, London, October 2010.

One September Night

by Beverly Andrews

Set on the evening of September 11^th, a young couple take a tube journey which changes their lives forever.

Cast

A staged reading of a new one-act play at Lost Theatre One-Act Festival, London, May 2010.

A Sense of Belonging

by Alexandra Denye

As John prepares to become a father, he realises he has to overcome his fears by reconciling himself to his past as a foundling.

Workshop and rehearsed reading of a new short film at Phoenix Writers Group, London, July 2009.

Tap Dancing

by Nick Harrop

Layla, Hannah and Sean. Love, rivalry and honesty.

Cast

Lucy Cudden | Liam Lane | Laura Murray.

Writers Ensemble script-in-hand rehearsed reading of six scenes from a new play at Theatre503, London, October 2008 and December 2008.

The Station Chief

by Richard Appleby

Set in 2003, a story of spies, the war in Iraq and the people who shaped its future.

Cast

Jack Bowman | Susannah Fiore | Andrew Macbean.

Writers Ensemble script-in-hand rehearsed reading of scenes from a new play at Theatre503, London, January 2008.

… writing stories about a black and white perspective is boring. It’s the grey that’s interesting.