How To Write A Play with Mike Bartlett

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

Episode 10: Reviews and characters  This week we talk about reviews (should you read them?) and Mike discusses character.  -  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/   WhatsOnSta...

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/sup...

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 availa...

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.  -  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-...

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 Gu...

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 f...

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, Ch...

This week: plot and dialectic. How do you tell your story? Plus – how can theatre interact with politics?    Show notes:  Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk   Seriously... podcast episode What Kind Of Scotland? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fk5btn    Support the Old Fire Station: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/support-us/    T...

This week: drama! What is drama, and how do you make it happen? Also – what impact could AI have on theatre?   Send us your updates and questions: info@oldfirestation.org.uk Show notes: The Art Newspaper article on the photo award: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/04/18/the-camera-never-lies-creator-of-ai-image-rejects-prestigious-photo-award The Stage article on AI in theatre: https://ww...

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...

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/ Hosted on Aca...