New Writing

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

Stephen Adly Guirgis

Since Julia began directing, she’s had the great opportunity to work closely with some very talented writers, in many cases on their debut plays – including Mari Lloyd’s Still Here, Louise Buchler’s Remembering You like something I’d Forgotten, Laura Stevens’ Thin Toes and Steven Hevey’s In My Name – in each instance, working closely with them as both a director and a dramaturg on the development of their scripts towards production.

Julia has 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, present a new piece of work as a rehearsed reading, or direct a script-in-hand performance for a showcase, she has been able to assist in the development of some outstanding new writing for theatre, television, and short film.

To find out more about Julia’s work with writers, see the projects below

Saving Myself

by Tim Stubbs Hughes

“Saving Myself” is a midnight invocation, a tale whispered between shadows, where a young woman named Lilly tries to unthread the story of her life from the stories told about her.

Cast

Jessamy James

Staged Performance

An extract from a new play in development as part of (w)Hormones: here we go again, produced by Upper Hand Theatre Company at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, November 2025.

CROW

by Kelly Long

Helena knows that something has been brewing and when her semi-estranged mother, Mona, calls her over to the house, she knows she won’t be able to ignore it, or her sister Nina, any longer.
A story of female family, Irish mythology and feminine power.

Cast

Lizzie Coles, Kate Hawkins, and Claire Lacey.

Staged Performance

An extract from a new play in development as part of Hatch & Scratch by Pathway Theatre at the Golden Goose Theatre, January 2024.

Pessoa. My-self. I.

by Tim Stubbs Hughes

A man has become obsessed by a long-dead writer.
Breaking into his museum, he waits to meet his obsession.

Cast

Martin Edwards.

R&D Workshop

A new play in development, supported by the Young Vic Creators Program – Maria Studio at the Young Vic, December 2023.

The Box

by Brian Coyle

Kate and Tom have a large square box sitting in the middle of their living room. What’s in it and why does it matter to them?

Cast

Sarah Lawrie and Martin Edwards.

R&D Workshop

Rosemary Branch Theatre, October 2023.

Shadow Lives

by Brian Coyle

How would Helen and Sal’s lives have turned out depending on the choices they made when they were younger? Could it be that regardless of those choices, they are still able to forgive each other?

Cast

Sarah Lawrie and John Rayment.

R&D Workshop

Actors East, May 2023.

Little Things

by Laurel Green

Kat, an aspiring writer and mother, takes some time for herself to spend a night out at the theatre. But she’s not alone.

Cast

Sara Odeen-Isbister, Kandy Rohmann, and Chloe Taplin.

Staged Performance

A new short play as part of Rapid Write Response at Theatre503, November 2021.

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 Scratch Performance

A new 10-minute play at IGNITE by SparkHaus Theatre at St Margaret’s House, 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 Scratch Performance

The first 10 minutes of a new play at Scratch at the Jack, Jack Studio Theatre, April 2019.

YO

by Beverly Andrews

It’s Melanie’s first day in her new job at the 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

Rehearsed Reading

The first episode of a new TV sitcom at New Work Upstairs at The Nell, 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

Staged Performance

A new one-act play at Lost Theatre One-Act Festival, 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

A new short film at Phoenix Writers Group, July 2009.

Tap Dancing

by Nick Harrop

Layla, Hannah and Sean – love, rivalry and honesty.

Cast

Lucy Cudden | Liam Lane | Laura Murray.

Staged Performance

Six scenes from a new play as part of Writers Ensemble at Theatre503, October and December 2008.

The Station Chief

by Richard Appleby

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

Cast

Jack Bowman | Susannah Fiore | Andrew Macbean.

Staged Performance

Scenes from a new play as part of Writers Ensemble at Theatre503, January 2008.