BWC Week 196
Hey writers, here's a timetable + exciting AOB - the bristol new writing festival and a BOV message from Lyndsey
Sylvia x
This week's writing schedule:
Mon midday: 12.00 - 2.00 @ Watershed, 1 Canon’s Road
Mon evening: 7.00 - 10.00 @ The All Inn, 1 Staple Hill Rd
Tues afternoon: 2.30 - 5.30 @ The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft
Weds afternoon: 2.30 - 5.30 @ The Canteen, 80 Stokes Croft
Thurs morning: 10.00 - 1.00 @ Watershed, 1 Canon’s Road
Thurs evening: 6:30 to 9:30, The Old Market Tavern, 29-30 Old Market St, Bristol, BS2 0HB
AOB
We have just finalised our programme for the first ever Bristol New Writers Festival, which will be taking place at the Bristol Folkhouse on September 5-6, 2026. Lots of exciting talks and workshops are set to take place, including successful local writers Sarah Dunant, Helen Taylor, Sophia Vahdati and Bertel Martin.
Bristol New Writers Festival is a new literary event dedicated to celebrating creativity at its earliest stages. It is an offshoot from the highly successful and steadily growing Bristol Writing Collective who meet to write at various times and places across the city every week.
We're a not-for-profit, writer-led initiative aiming to provide a welcoming space for emerging writers and complete beginners to explore the craft of writing, while also showcasing local talent.
Take part in our hands-on workshops and inspiring conversations and join us as we write a new chapter in Bristol’s vibrant literary scene!
Here's the link to the festival and ticket sales:
https://www.bristolnewwritersfestival.co.uk
We're thrilled to invite you to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from Wed 1 - Fri 3 July for The Writers' Room: staged script-in-hand readings of brand new plays from this year's MA Drama Writers. Each day features two writers and four plays, along with an opportunity to listen to new short audio work throughout the week.
Performed by our undergraduate actors and directed by our MA Drama Directing students, this celebration of thrilling new drama is completely free to attend, and a fantastic opportunity to meet the writers, encounter new voices and stories, and celebrate the incredible creative talent graduating from the school this year.
We'd be delighted if you could attend. If possible, we would also appreciate it if you could share this with any of your writer contacts.
Introducing this year's MA Drama Writers and the schedule for the three days:
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Wednesday 1st July (12.30PM): Lucy Alder
Lucy is a writer from the West Midlands, interested in how storytelling can allow the past to speak to the present (and vice versa). After graduating from the University of Warwick with a First Class degree in History, Lucy has brought her passion for the subject into her creative work.
Wail
Directed by Alys MacGregor
A whale washes up on Whitby beach in 1753 and 2026. Each community must come together to decide its future, before everyone suffocates under its weight.
Free Diver
Directed by Bradley Lomond
A Tudor salvage diver recalls his past while bringing up the cannons of the Mary Rose.
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Wednesday 1st July (3.15PM): Amelia Barnie
Amelia is a Kent-based writer interested in dark comedy, female-led narratives, power dynamics, and the performance of self through a feminist lens. She has had work performed at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and The Alma Pub Theatre.
Knockout
Directed by Bella Forshaw
In a women’s gym, three ladies come together over shared grievances. Between kickboxing and zumba classes, they begin quietly plotting revenge against the men who wronged them.
Cat C
Directed by Inge-Vera Lipsius
What does a brick sound like when it hits a man’s skull? Jay can tell you. In a prison class, one strike causes chaos.
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Thursday 2nd July (12.30PM): Abby Greenhalgh
Abby is a writer and director from Manchester. She makes engaging, character-driven work that questions the norms of our world through psychological drama. Drawing on a range of visual and literary media, she uses humour to unearth historical narratives and bring elusive figures into empathetic focus.
Glass Skin
Directed by Cara Crozier-Cole
Theresa has stayed famous by staying opaque. Now, her fans want ‘authenticity,’ and so does her daughter. But reclaiming your narrative is starting to feel a lot like losing control…
In or Out
Directed by Inge-Vera Lipsius
Tracy’s morning self-care routine is interrupted when she thinks her pregnant daughter, Amy, is in danger.
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Thursday 2nd July (3.15PM): Grace Donaldson
Grace is a writer and director from Scotland. Her work aims to use comedy as a funhouse mirror – reflecting our modern world, but warping it in a humorous m was nominated for two Scottish Theatre Awards at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe.
Pay-Per-View
Directed by Micha Mirto
Following a highly-publicised falling-out, two former best friends try to settle their differences in the most lucrative way possible. It’s the biggest influencer boxing match in history – and you’re all invited.
Embrace the Stuck
Directed by Bradley Lomond
A military Sergeant reflects on his glory days – bullets, bombs, and the best blowjob he ever had.
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Friday 3rd July (12.30PM): Alice Flynn
Flynn is a Queer, neurodivergent writer and theatremaker from Reading, with a deep interest in folklore, the supernatural, and political themes. After graduating from University of Birmingham, she founded feminist company Dogmouth Theatre and participated in development schemes with NSDF, Headlong, Broken Silence Theatre, Omnibus Theatre, and BFI Script Labs.
Mine
Directed by Cleo Nester
There’s something buried beneath this village. Something other than tin… This is a story about a haunted land, a stranger at the crossroads, a forgotten past and a terrifying future.
The Fence
Directed by Bradley Lomond
On the edge of a cultist compound, Mary Ash struggles to keep a secret from Mary Star. Is a mother’s love stronger than fear of God’s vengeance?
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Friday 3rd July (3.15PM): Emily Duchen
She Threw Her Knickers at Kneecap
Directed by Elena Wolfson
After a whirlwind tour with Kneecap and new boyfriend Mo Chara, Evie’s broke and back at Mum’s. As Friday night dinner turns sour, can a H O O D survive in Hampstead Garden Suburb?
Butterfly
Directed by Inge-Vera Lipsius
As bombs rain down on the English countryside, Willow starts swimming and never stops.
We can't wait to welcome you to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to celebrate a wonderful few days of new writing. Book your tickets now.
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