The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast

Nick Hern Books

A monthly podcast from Nick Hern Books, the UK's leading theatre publisher. Join host Siân Mayhall-Purvis and a dazzling line-up of brilliant playwrights to deep-dive into their plays, as well as discussing loads of other fascinating theatre topics including life as a writer, rehearsals and collaborating with others, writing tips and more. read less
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Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)
03-11-2021
Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Frances Poet about her moving, award-winning play Adam. We were also joined by special guest Adam Kashmiry, whose story inspired the play and who starred in the premiere production. Adam was first performed by the National Theatre of Scotland at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, where it won a Fringe First award. It was later performed on tour around the UK, as well as in New York. It was directed by Cora Bissett, with music by Jocelyn Pook.Adam was also adapted for screen, with the film released in March 2021 and currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The screen adaptation was nominated in the Television Scripted category at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite

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Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)
03-11-2021
Adam by Frances Poet (with guest Adam Kashmiry)
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Frances Poet about her moving, award-winning play Adam. We were also joined by special guest Adam Kashmiry, whose story inspired the play and who starred in the premiere production. Adam was first performed by the National Theatre of Scotland at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017, where it won a Fringe First award. It was later performed on tour around the UK, as well as in New York. It was directed by Cora Bissett, with music by Jocelyn Pook.Adam was also adapted for screen, with the film released in March 2021 and currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The screen adaptation was nominated in the Television Scripted category at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale
06-08-2021
Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jessica Swale about her funny and eye-opening play Blue Stockings. We discuss how she approached researching the history behind the story, what it feels like to have your play studied at GCSE, how Jessica's background as a director has influenced her writing, and more.Blue Stockings had its professional premiere at Shakespeare's Globe, London, in 2013, directed by John Dove. An earlier version of the play was performed at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, in 2012, directed by Jessica herself.See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Flights by John O'Donovan
02-06-2021
Flights by John O'Donovan
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to John O'Donovan about his haunting and funny drama Flights. We discuss how real-life events formed part of the play's development, just how many litres of liquid the actors had to consume every night, and how John's writing may change now he's returned from London to his homeland of Ireland. Flights premiered in 2020 at glór in Ennis before transferring to Dublin and London, directed by Thomas Martin.  CONTENT WARNING: Please note that this episode features discussion of the content of the play, which includes suicide. Listener discretion is advised. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
The Gift by Janice Okoh
06-05-2021
The Gift by Janice Okoh
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one great play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.  In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Janice Okoh about her outrageous and thought-provoking play The Gift. We also discuss how winning the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2011 boosted Janice's career, what to do with ideas that don't quite become fully written plays, using other people's work as a benchmark for your own, and more.  The Gift premiered at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry in January 2020, followed by a UK tour, including a run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London. It was a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company and the Belgrade Theatre, and directed by Dawn Walton.  See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
The River by Jez Butterworth
06-04-2021
The River by Jez Butterworth
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books is BACK - now with one fantastic play to read and discuss each month, followed by a Q&A with the writer.In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jez Butterworth about his fascinating and enigmatic play The River.  We also explore Jez's massively successful career as a playwright and screenwriter - including why his debut play winning an Olivier Award was actually 'disastrous', how it feels to write a James Bond film, what makes an idea worth pursuing, and more.The River premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 2012, directed by Ian Rickson. It was later produced at the Circle in the Square Theatre, New  York.See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroupHost: Siân Mayhall-PurvisProducer: Jon BartonExecutive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Second Person Narrative by Jemma Kennedy (with guest Lucy Kerbel)
08-07-2020
Second Person Narrative by Jemma Kennedy (with guest Lucy Kerbel)
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer.In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jemma Kennedy about her wry and inventive play Second Person Narrative.Second Person Narrative was released in 2015 as part of Platform, a partnership between Nick Hern Books and Tonic Theatre. It was originally workshopped with the National Youth Theatre and the National Theatre's Young People's Programme. We're joined for this episode by Lucy Kerbel, NHB author and director of Tonic.See more about The NHB Playgroup here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroupHost: Siân Mayhall-PurvisProducer: Jon BartonExecutive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Sunrise by Jessie Cave
01-07-2020
Sunrise by Jessie Cave
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Jessie Cave about her heartfelt and hilarious solo play Sunrise. Sunrise was first seen in 2018 at Soho Theatre, London, performed by Jessie herself, and also had two runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, multiple further performances at Soho Theatre and went on tour around the UK. It was produced by Soho Theatre and directed by Adam Brace. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Faustus: That Damned Woman by Chris Bush
24-06-2020
Faustus: That Damned Woman by Chris Bush
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Chris Bush about Faustus: That Damned Woman, her radical take on the classic cautionary tale. It was co-produced by Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, in association with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in January 2020 before embarking on a UK tour, which was sadly cut short by the theatre shutdown. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Princess & The Hustler by Chinonyerem Odimba
17-06-2020
Princess & The Hustler by Chinonyerem Odimba
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Chinonyerem Odimba about her passionate and affecting play Princess & The Hustler, which premiered at the Bristol Old Vic in 2019, followed by a UK tour, in a co-production between Eclipse Theatre Company, Bristol Old Vic and Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Dawn Walton. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Home by Nadia Fall
03-06-2020
Home by Nadia Fall
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Nadia Fall about her powerful, inventive verbatim play Home. It premiered at The Shed at the National Theatre, London, in 2013, directed by Nadia herself, and was revived at the same venue the following year. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Albion by Mike Bartlett
27-05-2020
Albion by Mike Bartlett
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Mike Bartlett about his reflective, tragicomic drama Albion, which premiered at the Almeida Theatre, London, in 2017, directed by Rupert Goold. It was revived at the same venue in February 2020, and will be broadcast on TV later this year as part of the BBC's 'Culture In Quarantine' season. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Human Animals by Stef Smith
13-05-2020
Human Animals by Stef Smith
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Stef Smith about her surreal and darkly funny play Human Animals, which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 2016, directed by Hamish Pirie. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Oil by Ella Hickson
06-05-2020
Oil by Ella Hickson
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Ella Hickson about her epic and explosive play Oil, which premiered at the Almeida Theatre, London, in 2016, directed by Carrie Cracknell. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Arlington by Enda Walsh
29-04-2020
Arlington by Enda Walsh
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Enda Walsh about his beautiful, tender and dazzlingly theatrical drama Arlington. Enda's play premiered at Galway International Arts Festival in 2016, in a co-production between the festival and Landmark Productions, directed by Enda himself. It later transferred to St. Ann's Warehouse in New York. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Leave Taking by Winsome Pinnock
22-04-2020
Leave Taking by Winsome Pinnock
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Winsome Pinnock about her beautiful and epic drama Leave Taking. Winsome's play premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse Studio in 1987 and has been revived numerous times since, most recently at London's Bush Theatre in 2018. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Lava by James Fritz
15-04-2020
Lava by James Fritz
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to James Fritz about his compassionate and darkly funny drama Lava. The play was supposed to embark on a new UK tour in April, produced by Fifth Word, but this has sadly been postponed due to the coronavirus shutdown. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite
Yen by Anna Jordan
08-04-2020
Yen by Anna Jordan
The NHB Playgroup from Nick Hern Books brings you one free play to read and discuss each week, followed by a Q&A with the writer. In this episode of The NHB Playgroup Q&A Podcast, we spoke to Anna Jordan about her hard-hitting but tender drama Yen, winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2013. See more about The NHB Playgroup and find out how to get involved here: www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/playgroup See more about the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting here: www.writeaplay.co.uk/ Host: Siân Mayhall-Purvis Producer: Jon Barton Executive Producer: Matt Applewhite