Hiya!
My name is Ben. That’s quite an old photo of me, but I rarely take a nice one. My three biggest passions in life are Desperate Housewives, Wicked and Audrey the Labrador. I’m a writer based in the East Midlands.
My debut full-length play, CHICKEN DUST was written whilst I was playwright in residence at the Curve Theatre, in my hometown of Leicester. Chicken Dust premiered at the Finborough Theatre, before transferring to the Curve as part of their InsideOut Festival. It's published by Methuen Drama.
The follow up, JELLYFISH, was developed with The National Theatre Studio. It premiered at The Bush Theatre in Summer 2018 and was again published by Methuen Drama. The play was nominated for four Offfies (Most Promising New Playwright, Best Male in a Supporting Role, Best Set Design and Best Sound Design). Additionally, the play was shortlisted for the Writers' Guild Award for Best Play and listed as one of The Stage’s best plays of 2018. Jellyfish transferred to the National Theatre in Summer 2019.
My next play, FRANK and PERCY will premiere this summer at the Theatre Royal Windsor, starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam.
For television, I am developing projects with Balloon Entertainment, Imaginarium, Drama Republic and Red Planet Pictures.
I’ve worked with young people in both theatrical and educational settings for almost a decade, both in a creative and pastoral capacity. Additionally, I love to run workshops and playwriting courses and have done so for the National Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, Masterclass, The Dukes, Eastern Angles Theatre Company, HighTide, Almeida Theatre, Curve Theatre and The Roundhouse.
My sweet spot’s reserved for stories with unforgettable characters, that make you laugh before the tears prick at the back of your eyes.